Every NFL franchise dreams of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, but entering the 2026 season, 12 organizations are still waiting to celebrate their first Super Bowl championship. According to NFL.com Lead Draft Writer Eric Edholm, three teams stand above the rest when it comes to ending that drought: the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans.

While several franchises without a championship remain stuck in rebuilding mode, these three teams have already established themselves as legitimate contenders and could be on the verge of making history.

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The Bills sit at the top of Edholm’s rankings, and the reason begins with quarterback Josh Allen. Since becoming one of the league’s elite signal-callers, Allen has transformed Buffalo into a perennial contender. The Bills finished the 2025 season with a 12-5 record and have won at least one playoff game in six consecutive years, an impressive run of consistency that few organizations can match.

The Bills appear to have the strongest foundation

Despite that success, Buffalo’s inability to return to the Super Bowl remains a source of frustration. The franchise has not appeared in the big game since its historic run of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s. Allen owns an 8-7 postseason record and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, but the Bills have yet to clear the final hurdle in the AFC.

The biggest concern entering 2026 remains the defense. Buffalo made several moves to address weaknesses on that side of the ball, but whether those changes will be enough remains uncertain. The team also faces a more competitive division after the New England Patriots emerged as a surprise contender last season. Even so, as long as Allen is under center, the Bills appear to have the strongest foundation among the NFL’s championship-less franchises.

Detroit checks in second on Edholm’s list despite missing the playoffs in 2025. At first glance, a 9-8 record might suggest the Lions are taking a step backward, but a deeper look tells a different story.

The Lions have built a defense with speed and physicality

Detroit finished eighth in the NFL with a plus-68 point differential and suffered through a disappointing 3-5 record in one-score games. Several narrow defeats contributed to the team’s failure to reach the postseason, and many around the league view the season as an outlier rather than a sign of decline.

Head coach Dan Campbell remains one of the NFL’s most aggressive decision-makers. His willingness to gamble on fourth downs has become a defining characteristic of the Lions’ identity. While some of those decisions backfired late in the season, Campbell’s approach has also been a major reason for Detroit’s rise from long-term irrelevance to legitimate contender.

The roster remains loaded with talent. Quarterback Jared Goff brings experience and stability, while the offense continues to feature playmakers capable of challenging any defense. The Lions have also built a defense with enough speed and physicality to compete with the best teams in the NFC.

Houston’s defense has become one of the NFL’s elite units

The Houston Texans round out Edholm’s top three after another strong season under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Although Houston surrendered the AFC South crown in 2025, the team still posted a 12-5 record and may have fielded its most complete roster since Ryans took over.

Houston’s defense has become one of the NFL’s elite units. The Texans dominated defensively during the playoffs, including a road victory that eliminated Pittsburgh before their postseason run ended against New England. Entering 2026, many evaluators believe Houston’s defense has the potential to finish as the best in the league.

The biggest question surrounds quarterback C.J. Stroud. After a sensational rookie campaign that established him as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars, Stroud has not taken the expected next step. While still a talented passer, his development has leveled off over the past two seasons, limiting the offense’s ability to maximize the team’s potential.