Steve Starr
- Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Kansas City are favored to win their respective AFC divisions
- Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in the AFC East adds intrigue to one of the league’s best divisions
- The 2023 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 7 with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs hosting the Lions
When looking at the 2023 AFC Division Futures, one thing becomes immediately clear: this stacked conference has a ton of contending teams with high expectations heading into the season.
Starting with the AFC East, we’ll examine the odds and make our picks in all four divisions. Before we dive in, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2023.
AFC East Futures
| Team |  |  |  |
| Buffalo Bills | +125 | +115 | +115 |
| New York Jets | +250 | +280 | +280 |
| Miami Dolphins | +285 | +300 | +300 |
| New England Patriots | +750 | +800 | +800 |
Aaron Rodgers hits NYC
Intrigue is everywhere in the AFC East. Favored in the division despite being demolished by the Bengals in the 2022 postseason, Buffalo (+125) is dealing with Stefon Diggs drama. The Jets (+280) are enjoying a honeymoon period with psychedelics enthusiast Aaron Rodgers. Miami (+300) is hoping Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy for an entire season. And whispers suggest that Robert Kraft will fire Bill Belichick if the Patriots (+800) miss the playoffs again.
While New England is easily the best value on the board, New York is locked and loaded after subbing out Zach Wilson for a future Hall of Famer.
Former #NFL MVP @7BOOMERESIASON on @WFANmornings thinks a healthy Aaron Rodgers will throw a “minimum” 50 TDs this season:
“He may set the touchdown pass record this year. I’m telling you”
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/ovX14i2eef
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 21, 2023
AFC West Futures
| Team | | | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -160 | -165 | -160 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +300 | +325 | +300 |
| Denver Broncos | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
KC rules the division
The only thing that could stop Kansas City (-160) from winning its eighth-straight division title is an injury to Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce. It certainly won’t be the Chargers (+325), who left dimwitted Brandon Staley at the reins rather than pursue Sean Payton. Now, instead of coaching up Justin Herbert, the former Saints boss must find a way to revitalize Russell Wilson in Denver (+550).
Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh McDaniels and the Raiders (+1100) have a better chance of finishing with the worst record in football than winning the AFC West. As always, bank on Andy Reid and the Chiefs.
AFC North Futures
| Team | | | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +120 | +140 | +120 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +250 | +240 | +250 |
| Cleveland Browns | +400 | +425 | +400 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +500 | +450 | +500 |
Bengals face stiff competition
Is the AFC North the most competitive division in all of football? Well, the Steelers (+500) have the longest odds and their coach has never finished under .500. Cleveland (+425) could be a Super Bowl contender if Deshaun Watson gets his groove back. Baltimore (+250) is finally taking the training wheels off Lamar Jackson’s offense, giving the former MVP a deep receiving corps and pass-happy OC Todd Monken.
Still, we can’t bet against a Bengals (+140) team with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Travis Kelce in response to Ja'Marr Chase's comments about Joe Burrow being the best QB in the league 😳 pic.twitter.com/C83e2Gzvlg
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 24, 2023
AFC South Futures
| Team | | | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | -170 | -150 | -170 |
| Tennessee Titans | +385 | +400 | +385 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +550 | +500 | +550 |
| Houston Texans | +750 | +700 | +750 |
Jaguars ready to pounce
With Trevor Lawrence poised to make another leap in year two with Doug Pederson, it’s hard to bet against a Jaguars (-150) franchise that is suddenly no longer a laughing stock. Tennessee (+400) is perpetually underrated with Mike Vrabel at the controls, but the Titans could be headed towards a rebuild in 2024.
Indianapolis (+550) is probably a couple years away from contention unless Anthony Richardson is way ahead of schedule. Same goes for CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans (+750), who will be lucky to win six games for new coach DeMeco Ryans.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
