NFL Futures: Best Bets to Win the AFC (2020)
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The NFL playoffs have officially expanded from 12 to 14 teams. That means each conference will now have seven teams eligible for postseason play in the 2020-2021 season. The number one seed will hold even more value this year, as opposed to previous seasons, because they will be the only team to receive a bye in the postseason.
The expansion to seven teams is great news for AFC teams that hovered around the playoff hunt last season but lost out on making the playoffs by just a game. Other great news. Tom Brady is now in the NFC. So what does that mean for the AFC? Let’s take a look at some of the best bets to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The odds listed are from our consensus odds to win the AFC, and you can find the odds of each individual sportsbook here as well.
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The defending Super Bowl champions seem to benefit the most from the new playoff format. Philip Rivers is out in LA. The rest of their division is mediocre at best. This means the division will likely not be an issue this season. Instead, they will be able to focus on a battle with the Ravens for the conference’s number one seed. But with the Ravens having to compete with the Browns and Steelers in the AFC North, it’s not hard to imagine Kansas City running away with the conference’s top seed early.
You would always like to see odds a little higher than +300 for a conference champion bet, but with how the AFC is shaping up, the Chiefs are the clear favorites. +300 offers solid value.
It’s impossible to ignore the Ravens after what they were able to accomplish in last year’s regular season. Lamar Jackson has yet to win a playoff game which will be weighing heavy on his mind coming into this season. The talent is undeniably there, and after his post-game press conference following last year’s playoff loss, it’s hard to imagine he’s slept much this offseason. With their rushing attack and ability to control the clock, the Ravens pose a threat to every explosive offense in the AFC. And to be frank, there aren’t many of those around. Because of that, the Ravens match up very well against the rest of the conference. However, with a tougher division than the Chiefs, they could find themselves as the two seed rather than the one. That would mean no first-round bye for Baltimore.
Tom Brady is officially gone, and the Patriots odds to win the AFC have skyrocketed. But for all those people who have been saying that Belichick was the key to New England’s success all these years, these odds are a dream come true. Belichick’s coaching abilities will definitely be put to the test this season. If you believe in his scheme, then who’s to say he can’t win with whoever is under center?
With the departure of Tom Brady, the Bills require a second look. They gave the Patriots a run for their money last year in the AFC East, and with their outstanding defense, their success will rely on how well Josh Allen is able to keep himself under control in big moments. The Bills proved to be underprepared for the playoffs last season as they let a huge lead evaporate, but if they make it this season that will be three times in four years. That experience could mean a much different looking postseason trip for Buffalo.
Last season, the Colts contended for a majority of the season with Jacoby Brissett under center. This offseason they acquired Philip Rivers who is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. Does Rivers have any magic left in the tank? The Colts will be competing in a crowded AFC South, but the Texans lost DeAndre Hopkins and the Titans defense has been restructured. There’s no reason to think that with Philip Rivers under the direction of head coach Frank Reich, Indianapolis can’t win the division and make a run in the playoffs.
Longshot
The Raiders ended last season losing five of their last six and did so in seriously terrible fashion. Yet, they still managed to finish the season 7-9 and, for the first half of the season, were the surprise of the league. Second-year running back Josh Jacobs will be relied on even more in his second season. If the Raiders can take care of the football and not make the silly mistakes they made toward the end of last season, then their first season in Las Vegas could be a fruitful one. If you’re looking for a longshot with big odds, this is the spot to look.
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Philip Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Philip, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.