Way-too-early, way-too-specific Super Bowl 61 prediction: Will Seahawks repeat?

The NFL regular season doesn’t start until September, but it’s never too early to start thinking about Super Bowl 61.

Football’s ultimate game will be held at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium this year. It’ll mark the second time the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers will host the game.

The Rams hoisted the Lombardi Trophy when Super Bowl 56 was played at their home stadium, and the team is positioned to make another Super Bowl run this year. According to BetMGM, the Rams (+500) have the best odds of winning Super Bowl 61, followed by the Buffalo Bills (+1,000). The Baltimore Ravens (+1,100). The defending champion Seattle Seahawks (+1,100) have the next best odds.

OTAs are underway and mandatory minicamps begin in June. Teams are already preparing to earn a trip to Super Bowl 61.

Who’s best equipped to stamp their ticket to the Super Bowl 61? Let’s have some fun with a way-too-early and way-too-specific Super Bowl 61 prediction:

Lamar Jackson will earn his first trip to the Super Bowl after a dynamic performance against Josh Allen and the Bills.

In the face of past playoff misfortune, Jackson has an MVP-like performance as he throws two touchdowns and runs for another. However, Jesse Minter and Baltimore’s revamped defense is what gets the team over the hump.

Allen shoulders much of the Bills’ offensive load, but new Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson produces a key strip sack and cornerback Nate Wiggins registers a game-altering interception. The two turnovers prove to be the difference as the Ravens win an AFC championship in Minter’s first year as head coach.

A.J. Brown is in New England, but the Eagles offense is still centered around star running back Saquon Barkley.

Barkley’s 1,500-yard rushing season helps the Eagles get to the NFC championship game. The Eagles are the Rams’ kryptonite, with Philly winning four straight games against the Rams since 2023 (including the playoffs), but the Rams finally get off the schneid in the NFC championship game.

The Rams key offseason additions of two-time defensive player of the year Myles Garrett and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson help contain what’s already an inconsistent Eagles passing game. Barkley does what he can on the ground, but the Eagles have to abandon their rushing attack because they are playing from behind most of the contest. That allows Garrett to pin his ears back and create havoc.

Matthew Stafford tosses two touchdown passes to Davante Adams to lift the Rams over the Eagles as the veteran wideout finally advances to the Super Bowl after being 0-5 in NFC championship games.

The home field magic works in the Rams’ favor once again.

Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and the Rams’ high-powered offense shines in Super Bowl 61. Stafford throws for 255 yards and three touchdowns. While Nacua and Adams combined for 14 catches, 170 yards and three scores as the Rams ride the California love to a Super Bowl 61 title.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ season ends in disappointment, but it’s hard to fault the two-time MVP.

Jackson was superb in his first ever Super Bowl, passing for two touchdowns and running for another. However, the Ravens’ inability to consistently convert on third downs (6 for 16 on third downs) and a missed 46-yard field goal by Tyler Loop prevent Baltimore from lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

I predict the Rams win a second Super Bowl inside SoFi Stadium and their third in franchise history. Let’s check back in February.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Way-too-early Super Bowl 61 prediction for NFL favorites