NFL Futures: Best Bet to Win AFC West (2021)
Will anyone unseat the Chiefs?
That’s the ultimate question when looking at the AFC West. The Chiefs have gone 26-6 over the past two years under Patrick Mahomes. That’s an unbelievable run by NFL standards. Kansas City has all the tools to make another Super Bowl run, as FanDuel Sportsbook sets their win total at 12.5.
The other AFC West teams carry more modest win totals. The Chargers are next in line at 9.5. The Broncos have a win total of 8.5. Finally, the Raiders are 6.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
When looking to bet on a winner in the AFC West, you are essentially filing a referendum on the Chiefs. Is the price worth it? Can they navigate their schedule? Will there be a hangover from last year’s tough Super Bowl loss?
We’ll answer that question and provide a recommended pick below.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Check out our consensus odds to win the AFC West >>
THE ODDS
Kansas City Chiefs
Odds to win AFC West: -290
We all know the Chiefs are great. They are favored to win the AFC Championship (+200 on FanDuel), and it’s not even close. Kansas City also has the best odds to win the Super Bowl (+500), narrowly edging Tampa Bay for that spot. We know they have elite playmakers on offense, and the Chiefs addressed their O-Line woes this offseason. In fact, Pro Football Focus has them with the seventh-best offensive line heading into the season.
Los Angeles Chargers
Odds to win AFC West: +490
The Chargers serve as the most legitimate contenders to Kansas City. If you put them in the AFC South, they would arguably be favored to win that division (at least close to the Titans). New HC Brandon Staley brings a defensive background to the table, and Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi should help Justin Herbert thrive. The Chargers will go as far as their sophomore QB takes them.
Denver Broncos
Odds to win AFC West: +900
The Broncos are a nice sleeper team. Most people forgot about them after injuries, and subpar QB play sent them into mediocrity last season. However, QB Teddy Bridgewater was brought in to help with the former. Assuming he wins the starting job, he could add efficiency to an offense that desperately needs it. The Broncos still have a top-five defensive unit, so getting more production from the offense will send them in the right direction.
Las Vegas Raiders
Odds to win AFC West: +1300
I wouldn’t call the Raiders a bad team, but they will struggle for consistency every week. They have some nice pieces on offense, but a subpar offensive line could limit their production on that side of the ball. Looking elsewhere, you could argue that Las Vegas has a bottom-tier defense. They ranked 25th in total defense last season, and I’m not expecting an improvement in that department. Expect plenty of shootouts in Raiders’ games.
THE PICK
Kansas City: -290 at FanDuel Sportsbook
I really wish I could give you a super-sneaky pick with a fat payout. However, that’s not the reality of this situation.
This season, the Chargers and Broncos will move in the right direction, but I don’t believe they are ready to challenge Kansas City for the AFC West throne.
I’m not usually one to lay this kind of juice on a futures bet, but uncommon teams permit uncommon bets. The Chiefs should be extremely motivated following a disastrous Super Bowl loss. As mentioned earlier, they beefed up their offensive line, which let them down in several spots last season.
As long as the Chiefs remain healthy, they should cruise into another AFC West title.
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Spencer Limbach is a featured writer at BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Spencer, check out his archive and follow him @spencer_jl.