Aaron Donald Return Supercharges Rams’ Status as 2026 ‘It’ Team
His return raised expectations and shortened betting odds.
Aaron Donald's return to the Rams has catapulted their status as the 2026 "it" team in the NFL. Once clear front-runners for Super Bowl LXXI, the Rams are now the betting favorite with a 16.7% implied probability to win the championship game set for Feb. 14, 2027. This dramatic shift has been fueled by the addition of star defensive tackle Myles Garrett and all-pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Additionally, the Rams are emerging as a popular cross-sport betting parlay with MLB's Dodgers, who are the current heavy favorites to win the World Series. The NFL's acquisition of Donald has positioned them for an even greater viewership boost, with seven primetime games scheduled for the 2026 regular season, more than any other team.
Donald's potential availability for the season opener on Netflix against the 49ers and a major Week 5 game on ESPN's Monday Night Football against the Bills adds to the team's momentum. While the Rams' preseason favorites rarely fulfill their expectations, coach Sean McVay acknowledges that Donald's return is a significant factor in their success.
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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