AFC West News, Notes & Betting Odds

Kansas City Chiefs  12-4 last year, 1st place in the AFC West

-Season Win total this year 11.5 -120, +100

-Odds to win AFC West -455 Favorite

-Odds to win AFC +300 Favorite

-Odds to win Super Bowl +600 Favorite

-Odds to make Playoffs -1000

-The rich got richer in the offseason by drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU, which was timely because Damien Williams has opted out for the season. He is currently at +400 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and should be given a serious look to take home that award. 

-A team has not repeated as Super Bowl champs in the last 15 years, but they return 20 of 22 starters from their Super Bowl team and their entire coaching staff stays intact as well. With continuity going to be a major issue for a lot of teams this season, this is a huge advantage for the Chiefs headed into the season. 

-They do lose CB Kendall Fuller who was a key part of their secondary last season playing both slot and deep safety, but at the same time this could certainly open things up for the HoneyBadger to make more plays, but just something to keep an eye on in the secondary for the Chiefs. 

Los Angeles Chargers 5-11 last year; 4th place in the AFC West

-Season Win total this year 7.5 -140, +120

-Odds to win AFC West +800

-Odds to win AFC 22-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 45-1

-Odds to make Playoffs +150

-It's certainly going to be strange to see a new QB lining up under center for the Chargers. Philip Rivers moves to the Colts after being the Chargers starter since 2006. They draft Justin Herbert, but in the meantime I think Tyrod Taylor is a more than capable QB and a great locker room presence to help bring Herbert along. 

-Obviously a lot gets talked about Anthony Lynn and his in game decision making is atrocious, but he is 27-23 in 3 seasons with the team, 1-1 in the Playoffs, and does seem to garner a ton of respect out of the locker room. 

-They have upgraded their OL by bringing in Trai Turner & Bryan Bulaga. Normally a lot of the continuity issues associated with this would be taken care of during the preseason, but they are not going to have that luxury this year, so something to watch out for early on. 

Denver Broncos 7-9 last year, 3rd place in the AFC West

-Season Win total this year 7.5 -120, +100

-Odds to win AFC West +900

-Odds to win AFC 25-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 50-1

-Odds to make Playoffs +180

-A lot is riding on the arm of Drew Lock for the Broncos obviously, but perhaps for nobody more so than John Elway. After bringing in Peyton Manning, he's been nothing short of a disaster by bringing in Brock Osewiller, Joe Flacco, Paxton Lynch, and Case Keenum. Lock needs to come through for him to save face at a minimum at this point. 

-Vic Fangio was unimpressive in his rookie year as HC last year leading the team to a 7-9 record after starting off 0-4. A lot to be desired between him and OC Pat Shurmur.

-They drafted Jerry Jeudy which should certainly help Lock develop, but they did lose their top lineman Ja'Wuan James who opted out. To me, that's being very underreported and is a huge loss for this team. 

Las Vegas Raiders 7-9 last year, Last place in the AFC West

-Season Win total this year 7 -110, -110

-Odds to win AFC West 12-1

-Odds to win AFC 30-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 66-1

-Odds to make Playoffs +255

-Many thought Derek Carr wouldn't be making the trip with the Raiders to Vegas as their starter, but as of now he is...It's an interesting situation, having Mariota as the backup. He was in a similar situation last year when the Titans brought in another former starter, Ryan Tannehill to compete. 

-They bring in big play linebacker Cory Littleton for 3 years / $36m. He should provide quite a bit of help in the defensive pass game. 

-The Raiders certainly over-performed expectations last year. They had one of the hardest travel schedules on record + had the distraction of the upcoming move to Vegas to deal with. Gruden performed well and will look for a fresh start with Carr in Vegas.