Ricky Dimon
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The Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West 7 straight times and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Patrick Mahomes and company have won 2 of the last 4 Super Bowls (including this past season), have played in 3 of the last 4 and have advanced to the AFC Championship on 5 consecutive occasions.
Needless to say, the Chiefs are a problem – not just for the AFC West, but also for the entire NFL. Is there anything the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers can do about it?
With the 2023 NFL campaign on the horizon, it’s time to break down the AFC West, with odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Denver Broncos (+550)
The Nathaniel Hackett experiment did not last long. After 1 season (less than a full season, in fact) Hackett is out and Sean Payton is in. Although that is a big improvement on the sideline, I don’t think this team upgraded enough on the field to make a big jump. Both the offensive and defensive lines are better on paper, but Denver did not even have a first-round pick since that was shipped off to New Orleans for the right to acquire Payton’s services. The Broncos can’t be as bad as they were last year…but will they really be that much better?
Make sure you also check out our Denver Broncos team preview
Kansas City Chiefs (-165)
Unsurprisingly, the oddsmakers have Kansas City favored to win a second consecutive Super Bowl and third in the last 5 seasons. And why not? Mahomes is back along with his favorite pass-catching weapon in tight end Travis Kelce; plus Andy Reid is still out there calling the shots as head coach. There is absolutely no reason to think that this franchise is going to take a step back in 2023 – and perhaps not at any point in the near future. This is quite simply the best team in the AFC West (by far) and perhaps the best team in the entire NFL.
Make sure you also check out our Kansas City Chiefs team preview
Las Vegas Raiders (+1200)
The Josh Jacobs situation remains a bit of a question mark, but recent reports indicate that he will rejoin the team in due time and should be ready for Week 1. That was always going to be the expected outcome. Assuming it is, the Raiders should be able to make a run at a playoff berth in 2023. Derek Carr is gone (to the Saints) and Jimmy Garoppolo is now the starter under center. That really isn’t a downgrade. With Jacobs presumably back, this offense should be just fine. Las Vegas added first-round pick Tyree Wilson to a defensive line that is already led by Maxx Crosby. Don’t underestimate the well-rounded nature of this squad.
Make sure you also check out our Las Vegas Raiders team preview
Los Angeles Chargers (+340)
No team endured a worse end to the 2022 season than the Chargers. At least they made the playoffs, but they probably would have rather not made it had they known the fate that would greet them upon arrival. Los Angeles led Jacksonville led 27-0 with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter of their wild-card contest before collapsing on the way to a shocking 31-30 loss. You have thought some changes would have been made following that debacle, but head coach Brandon Staley is back and the player personnel is largely the same. As such, my confidence level is low.
Make sure you also check out our LA Chargers team preview
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AFC West projected order of finish
Kansas City Chiefs (13-4)
Las Vegas Raiders (9-8)
Los Angeles Chargers (8-9)
Denver Broncos (8-9)
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AFC West best bet: Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC West (-180)
This could be one of the better divisions in football, as no team projects to be bad. Everyone should be at least decent. Unfortunately for Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, “decent” is not going to get it done against Kansas City. The Chiefs have recorded at least 12 wins in 5 consecutive seasons and if they get to that number again they will almost certainly win the division…again. I think they get to that number – and probably with room to spare. Kansas City should be a bigger favorite than -180, so this is a play you want to make right now before the odds get longer.
