NFL Betting – AFC West Odds

The Kansas City Chiefs have run roughshod upon the AFC West dating back to 2016. Andy Reid’s squad will be looking to snag a seventh straight division title heading into the 2022-23 NFL betting season, but they’ll attempt to do so without a number of players that helped lead them to that success during that stretch. Gone is the “The Honey Badger” in the secondary along with the “Cheetah” in the wide receiver corps. If any team can still succeed without the services of Tyrann Mathieu and Tyreek Hill, it’s the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs. That being said, I’m looking for some new blood to take center stage in the division at DraftKings Sportsbook. Justin Herbert is a special player that’s far exceeded what any NFL pundit expected from him throughout his first two years in the league. I said numerous times last season that the Denver Broncos had the pieces in place to make a run at another Lombardi Trophy; all they needed was a quarterback. Well, they got one now after making the move to bring Russell Wilson over from Seattle. This division nearly sent three teams to the playoffs last season with the Las Vegas Raiders being the ultimate decider. As such, the run to the division title is going to be one of the bigger storylines of the season. Right now, I’ll go with the two mid-range underdogs to make some noise and will reassess once schedules are released.

AFC West Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

NFL Expert Pick:  Los Angeles Chargers +250

Three division members ranked amongst the top-11 in the league at racking up yardage on a gamely basis. The Los Angeles Chargers clocked in at No. 4 in averaging over 390 yards to go along with just under 28 points per game (No. 5). The reason for the major jump in output was mostly due to a rock solid offensive line. Rashawn Slater was a godsend at the tackle position in helping the unit concede just 31 total sacks; a tally that ranked No. 6 overall. Well, the unit got stronger in the NFL Draft after GM Tom Telesco snagged Boston College G Zion Johnson with the 17^th overall pick in the first round. A fantastic front wall only got better, and that bodes extremely well for Herbert to show out once again after ripping all opposition for over 5,000 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. I seriously can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in 2022-23! When healthy, Austin Ekeler is one of the more electric ultra-backs in the business. Provided he can stay healthy, the Chargers backfield looks to be in good hands with the addition of Texas A&M rookie RB Isaiah Spiller who’s got speed for days.

As great the offense proved to be, the defense was another story altogether. While it did a solid job of limiting damage through the air in allowing just over 221 yards per game (No. 12), it simply had no clue how to stop opposing ground games in getting gashed for 138.9 yards per game (No. 30) at 4.6 yards per carry (No. 29). Upper management made a pair of big moves in the offseason to shore the deficiency up in trading for former Chicago Bears EDGE Khalil Mack and stud New England Patriots CB J.C. Jackson. Both players presence on a defense that already boasted Joey Bosa up front and Derwin James in the back only bodes well for the future output. LA failed to surpass its 9.5-game season win total last year. It currently sits at 10 at DK, and I expect them to blow past that impost taking on a third place schedule!

Denver Broncos +250

I’m seriously counting the days until the shackles are taken off Javonte Williams and he’s able to strut his stuff the way my fantasy team had hoped for in his rookie campaign. It didn’t turn out to be the case, but No. 33 still ended up rushing for over 900 yards and scored 4 TD while adding another 300+ yards and 3 TD catching passes out of the backfield. For all you math majors out there, that’s more than 1200 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns for a rookie that shared a 50/50 load with RB Melvin Gordon. Though the veteran remains on the roster – for now – I’m expecting it to move 70/30 in Javonte’s favor throughout the 2022-23 NFL betting season. This kid is going to be electric which ultimately finds him ranking out as one of the best running backs in the game; write that down – and draft him, early!
Even with nobody to throw their hat on under center, the Denver Broncos still managed to win seven games. It was mostly due to the defense showing out each and every week. This year however, it won’t have to be so perfect with No. 3 under center. Though Russell Wilson comes off his first injury plagued season, I have faith that a much better offensive line than that of the Seahawks will keep his jersey clean more games than not. While he had some nice pieces to get the ball to in the Pacific Northwest, Denver’s pass catching crew comprised of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick is something to behold. Should Wilson return to his prior self, that trio is going to eat and make their fantasy and prop supporter’s a bunch of money in the process! For a team that only won seven games last year, their current 9.5-game win total is telling.