2016
AFC West
NFL Betting Preview
Odds to Win
The Broncos have owned the AFC West in recent years, winning the last five titles. But with Peyton Manning gone and a question at quarterback, they are no longer favored to win the division. That title goes to the Chiefs, who still only finished one Game behind Denver a season ago. With mostly the same squad, can Kansas City take down the reigning champions?
Odds to win AFC West
courtesy of 5 dimes Sportsbook
Kansas City Chiefs +180
Denver Broncos +195
Oakland Raiders +270
San Diego Chargers +650
Can Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs play the role of the favorite? They’ll have to this year, even in the same division as the Super Bowl champions. But everything is lining up for the Chiefs to take over the AFC West. After starting 1-5 a year ago, they closed with 11 straight wins before falling to the Patriots in a tough playoff contest. And with Alex Smith under center, everything is pretty much the same for this team, after the offense was actually competent, scoring 405 points in all. Jamaal Charles returns from injury and his backups proved to be more than worthy last season. OUtside of Jeremy MAClin and Travis Kelce at receiver, the options are unknown, but they made it a year ago and should be just fine again. Defensively, the Chiefs actually GAve up fewer points than the vaunted Broncos defense if that says anything. However, they’ll need Tamba Hali and Justin Houston at full strength to reach those levels. Otherwise, this group could take a step back, especially with cornerback Sean Smith gone.
The Denver Broncos aren’t far behind in the odds department, but how many people are going to put money on Mark SaNChez and Trevor Siemian? The questions at quarterback will likely remain throughout the season, although Denver’s goal will be to run as much as possible with C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Devontae Booker. They are allowed to do that with one of the best defenses in the league, which was the reason they won the Super Bowl. While a couple pieces left, the Broncos are still stout at every level and should be just as good as in 2015. While that’s the case, can the offense at least put points on the board? And if it comes to it, will SaNChez/Siemian be able to find Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in the passing Game? There’s a reason the Broncos aren’t favored to win the division. They are hard to trust right now.
The most surprising odds of the AFC West belong to the Oakland Raiders, who have made a drastic change since being +3150 to win the division a year ago. Now, the Raiders are right in the mix of things and for good reason. Derek Carr has another year of experieNCe under his belt to go with weapons around him in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree at wide receiver, as well as LAtavius Murray and DeAndre Washington in the backfield. The offensive line got a boost with Kelechi Osemele coming over from the Ravens. Oakland’s defense was mediocre last year, but can take the next step to being elite this season with additions to the secondary and Bruce Irvin helping out Khalil MACk in the pass-rushing Game.
This all leads to the San Diego Chargers, who were a major disappointment with Four wins last year. Philip Rivers is great, but with so many injuries around him seemingly every season, nothing has come to fruition. The running Game hopes to improve with Melvin Gordon taking a bigger role, while they added burner Travis Benjamin in the passing Game. Will any of this matter with a poor defense that no longer has Eric Weddle? Probably not. The Chargers have some ways to go, mostly on the defensive side, before challenging the top teams in this division.
The Raiders are the trendy pick for the AFC West and it wouldn’t be too surprising if they took the title, especially if injuries remain for the Chiefs on the defensive side. But backing a team like Oakland is difficult, given its history. The Broncos could be a sneaky pick, although backing a team that’s expected to start Mark SaNChez might not be a good idea.