The AFC West features the defending Super Bowl champs – the Kansas City Chiefs. They’re once again favored to not only win another Super Bowl, but to also run right through the division.
The Chargers, Raiders and Broncos have all made some significant changes in the offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft in order to improve their overall teams. Will these moves be enough to close the gap on the Chiefs?
Let’s take a look at the latest AFC West betting odds available via the best NFL betting sites and see if there’s any potential upsets brewing in the division this year.
There’s no shortage of storylines in the AFC West. @mackenziesalmon looks at the ways the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers and Raiders can make the playoffs – and what could hold them back. pic.twitter.com/GgSufaGanO
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 15, 2020
NFL Betting Odds
The following betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
- Kansas City Chiefs (-375)
- Denver Broncos (+800)
- Las Vegas Raiders (+800)
- Los Angeles Chargers (+1000)
Kansas City Chiefs (-375)
- Over 11.5 wins (-145)
- Under 11.5 wins (+115)
The Kansas City Chiefs are favored to win 12 or more games this season and have the 18th toughest schedule in the league, which means there is a great shot of KC easily surpassing this mark. Before we look at the schedule though, let’s take a look at some of the big moves they made in the offseason.
Offensively speaking, the Chiefs are arguably the best in the league especially since they have the best player in QB Patrick Mahomes. The franchise quarterback will get all of his playmakers back in the passing game with Kelce, Hill and Watkins leading the charge.
The one notable change to this offense will be in the backfield. The top two running backs from last year won’t return for the Chiefs in 2020. Damien Williams decided to opt out of the season due to covid and LeSean McCoy left via free agency to sign with the Buccaneers.
However, KC drafted LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and still have Darrel Williams to carry the load. CEH is expected to have a breakout rookie season now that he will probably end up as the starter.
The Chiefs defense had a tremendous run at the end of the season, which helped the team make a push toward the Super Bowl. In the SB, it was the Chiefs defense that sealed the victory for the franchise and brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Kansas City.
This defense remains relatively unchanged, but could be just as good as last year with some additions through the draft. If they can hold teams to 21 points or less, KC will dominate the season.
Chiefs 2020 NFL Schedule
Looking at their schedule, Kansas City plays nine games then the Bye Week. However, the first half of the season does have some tough games against Houston, Baltimore, Patriots, and Bills. Yet, I see the Chiefs going at least 6-3 or 7-2 through the first nine games.
Following the Bye, they have tough matchups against the Buccaneers and Saints. Otherwise, KC should go at least 5-2 in this stretch.
A 12-4 record is the floor with 14-2 as the ceiling. I expect this team to go at least 5-1 in the AFC West division as they may get tripped up at Denver like years past. Take the Over 11.5 wins on the season.
The Chiefs have won the AFC West four straight years and are clearly the team to beat in both the division and the AFC Conference.
Denver Broncos (+800)
- Over 7.5 wins (-145)
- Under 7.5 wins (+115)
Of all the teams in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos have done the most to improve their overall roster. From free agency to the NFL Draft, the Broncos aced the offseason in my opinion. In fact, only the Colts had a better offseason.
Offensively, Denver added some depth to the offensive line in order to protect franchise QB Drew Lock and open up the running lanes for Lindsay and free agent addition Melvin Gordon who left the Chargers this offseason.
Can the Lock-Sutton duo lead the Broncos to winning the AFC West?
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— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) August 17, 2020
Yet, the biggest offensive moves came in the NFL Draft where Denver selected the best receiver Jerry Jeudy in the 1st round. But, they didn’t stop with just Jeudy as the Broncos also added the speedy K.J. Hamler to an explosive unit. They join Courtland Sutton to become arguably the most talented young receiving core in the NFL.
Defensively, the Broncos added two big pieces that could really help elevate this unit back to the top of the league. Denver added former Titans DT Jurrell Casey and traded for corner A.J. Bouye. Both moves will solidify the defense and help the Broncos make a run for one of the Wild Card spots.
Denver made some coaching moves that should pay off as well. They hired Pat Shurmur as the Offensive Coordinator and brought in Mike Shula as QB coach. These additions will help shape a young, explosive offense.
Broncos 2020 NFL Schedule
Denver has the 12th hardest schedule on paper, but it appears a bit more daunting than that ranking. In their first seven games, they play the Titans, Steelers, Bucs, Patriots and Chiefs. That’s a 4-3 record at best, but most likely 3-4 heading into their Bye Week.
For Denver, their best chance at making the Playoffs comes in the second half of the season when they have more winnable games. The Broncos play both the Chargers and Raiders twice each. They also have games against the Panthers and Falcons.
Their toughest opponents in the second half of the season are the Saints, Chiefs and Bills. I can see Denver going 5-4 or 6-3 over the final two months of the 2020 regular season. Either way, I like Denver to go Over 7.5 wins and finish 8-8 or 9-7.
Denver, last won the division in 2015 which capped off a streak of five straight AFC West titles. However, they’re still one season away from really challenging the Chiefs for the divisional crown.
Las Vegas Raiders (+800)
- Over 7.5 wins (-120)
- Under 7.5 wins (-110)
Heading to Las Vegas for the 2020 season, the Las Vegas Raiders spent most of their salary cap by signing several free agents in order to make this roster more competitive in the division and the conference. This was in addition to re-signing several key players like OL Richie Incognito and RB Jalen Richard.
On the offense, the Raiders biggest additions were Marcus Mariota as the backup QB, TE Jason Witten for leadership, and WR Nelson Agholor to improve a subpar receiving group. In the draft, they also added speedy WR Henry Ruggs in the 1st round and a big body receiver Bryan Edwards in the 3rd round.
The Silver and Black made their biggest free agent moves in the offseason on the defensive side of the ball. They improved the linebacker position by adding Corey Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski. They also added rotational players like Carl Nassib, Maliek Collins and Damarious Randall.
Yet, when you compare the Raiders to the rest of the AFC West’s teams, Las Vegas has arguably the least talented roster in the division.
Raiders 2020 NFL Schedule
The Raiders get an early Bye coming in Week 6, but they’re going to need it. Las Vegas plays the Panthers, Saints, Patriots, Bills and Chiefs to open up the season. That’s a 1-4 record heading into their off-week.
Things don’t any easier coming out of the Bye Week as they play the Buccaneers, Browns, Chargers, Broncos and Chiefs again. That’s another 1-4 stretch or 2-3 at best.
From there, the Raiders face the Falcons, Jets, Colts, Chargers, Dolphins and Broncos. This stretch depends on how good these other teams are more than the Raiders themselves. All of these teams made significant moves and have better overall rosters. I predict 2-4 or 3-3 at best.
Ultimately, I’m finding it hard to see how the Raiders will go 8-8 or higher this season. Most likely, they will be 6-10 or 7-9 at best. Either way, take the Under 7.5 wins for the Raiders this year.
The Raiders haven’t won the division since 2002 and are in no position to win it for the next few years.
Los Angeles Chargers (+1000)
- Over 7.5 wins (-145)
- Under 7.5 wins (+115)
It’s a bit surprising that the Los Angeles Chargers are predicted to be at the bottom of the division when they have a lot of talent on this team. Yes, longtime QB Philip Rivers left via free agency and signed with the Colts, but Tyrod Taylor is just as serviceable as Derek Carr is for the Raiders.
They signed numerous depth players on both sides of the ball, but their best moves this offseason were in drafting QB Justin Herbert, adding Nick Vigil via FA, drafting LB Kenneth Murray, trading for OG Trai Turner, stealing DB Chris Harris Jr. from Denver, and signing DT Linval Joseph.
However, one of the best moves in the offseason for any team was LA’s signing former Packers OT Bryan Bulaga. The Chargers have significantly improved their offensive line, which will benefit Taylor greatly. In fact, Rivers would still be here if the Chargers took this approach last offseason.
Let’s not forget that this team has more talented playmakers on both sides of the ball than the Raiders do. In fact, they’re on par with the Broncos as well. The defense has elite talent in all three levels.
Chargers 2020 NFL Schedule
Los Angeles will play nine games before getting a crucial week off. This first half of their season consists of winnable games and tough matchups.
The Chargers should beat the Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Jaguars and Raiders. But, I see them losing to the Chiefs, Bucs, Saints, and Dolphins. Yet, that’s a respectable 5-4 record heading into their Bye Week.
Unfortunately, their final seven games is a brutal stretch against Broncos twice, Bills, Patriots, Falcons, Raiders and Chiefs. I see the team going 3-4 down the final stretch of the season.
The Chargers could be 7-9 or 8-8 on the season, which is right at the O/U of 7.5 wins. This is a tough one, but I am going to say they finish 8-8 and at least one game better than the Raiders.
Los Angeles hasn’t won the division since their four year run of dominance from 2006 to 2009. They’re a few years away from competing with the Chiefs in the AFC West. Their time will come when rookie QB Justin Herbert develops into a franchise quarterback.
Who Wins the AFC West in 2020?
I don’t think there’s any doubt as to which team will capture the AFC West division crown. It’s clearly going to be the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, I am very surprised that their odds are only -375. This team is significantly better than the rest of the division.
The Chiefs will most likely finish with at least three more wins than the Broncos and at least four or more wins than the Chargers and Raiders. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas City has more wins than LA and Las Vegas combined.
Together for six more seasons 👏 pic.twitter.com/3ctb7CvxEW
— ESPN (@espn) August 13, 2020
Even if Mahomes gets hurt and misses a few games like he did last season, KC will still cruise to an AFC West title for the 5th straight year. Get these odds before they go up even more.
Who Wins the AFC West in 2020? –Kansas City Chiefs (-375)
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
