Steve Starr
- Kansas City (+175) is once again favored to win the AFC West division
- The Chargers (+240) traded for edge rusher Khalil Mack while Las Vegas (+650) lured Josh McDaniels from the Patriots
- Denver (+260) could win their first division title since 2015 after acquiring star quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade
Despite Russell Wilson, Davante Adams and Khalil Mack joining the rosters of its AFC West opponents, Kansas City is still chalk to claim their seventh-straight division title. But with speedster Tyreek Hill now in Miami, will the reign of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes finally come to an end?
Before we look at the division futures for the Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos and Raiders, here’s where you can check out the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022 and comb through our Super Bowl betting guide.
AFC West
 |  |
|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +160 | +175 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +240 | +225 |
| Denver Broncos | +260 | +260 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +575 | +650 |
Big changes on the Chiefs
Viewed as an unbeatable super-team not so long ago, the Chiefs (+175) were embarrassed by the Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55 before falling apart in the second-half of last year’s AFC Championship Game against the Bengals. With the proliferation of two deep safety looks across the league, Andy Reid must prove he can adjust and evolve a stagnant attack that lost All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill.
KC added veteran wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency and drafted Skyy Moore in the second round. They’ll also need more out of third-year running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire after a gallbladder surgery sapped the life out of his sophomore season.
MVP Odds for each AFC West QB:
Patrick Mahomes: +700
Justin Herbert: +1000
Russell Wilson: +1400
Derek Carr: +30002022 MVP Odds tracker for 2022: https://t.co/Xg3wUEbV3a
— Sharp Football Analysis (@SharpFBAnalysis) May 30, 2022
Can Chargers live up to the hype?
Los Angeles (+240) is understandably generating a ton of offseason hype. Not only is rocket-armed Justin Herbert looking yoked ahead of his third season, the Chargers addressed their putrid 30th-ranked run defense in the offseason by adding Khalil Mack, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson to their defensive line.
The question is whether analytical darling Brandon Staley is equipped to match wits with Mahomes, Wilson and Derek Carr after a series of botched coaching decisions cost his club a postseason spot in 2021.
Just win baby!
No one made bigger changes in the AFC West than the Raiders (+650), who brought in former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to coach, and star receiver Davante Adams to catch balls from former college teammate Derek Carr.
With one of the NFL’s best play callers at the controls of an offense featuring Adams, tight end Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas should put up plenty of points. However, Patrick Graham’s talent-bereft defense will have to over-perform to compete in the stacked AFC West.
Davante Adams is happy to be a Raider 😁
(🎥 @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/S2cVZlCOdI
— PFF (@PFF) May 26, 2022
Best Bet in AFC West
No one upgraded more at the NFL’s most important position than the Broncos (+260), who replaced their Teddy Bridgewater/Drew Lock platoon with Russell Wilson. Finally free from Pete Carroll’s run-first philosophy, Mr. Unlimited will take control of an offense with two good running backs (Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon) and a solid receiving corps (Courtland Sutton/Jerry Jeudy/Tim Patrick).
With Vic Fangio out the door, Denver’s defense will likely regress from their top-three standing in 2022. But all things considered, the Broncos have the best top-to-bottom roster in the AFC West. Let’s just hope new head coach Nathaniel Hackett doesn’t fall on his face.
AFC West Pick: Denver Broncos (+260)
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
