We are creeping ever closer to the start of the 2023 NFL Season and as we do, we will be previewing each division and giving out our best bets for each divisional winner and over/under for each team’s win totals.
We strongly encourage our readers to not follow these futures blindly, nor follow each one of them. So many things happen during just the preseason, let alone the entire season that would totally change the direction of a team and derail a future ticket.
Let us look at the division that produced the eventual Super Bowl champions, the biggest bust of the season, an underachieving team, and one that has the rushing leader of the season. One team moved on from their franchise QB and another let go of their 1st year head coach.
Current Odds to Win 2023 AFC West
Latest Odds from FanDuel SportsBook
| Kansas City Chiefs |
-180 |
| Los Angeles Chargers |
+300 |
| Denver Broncos |
+700 |
| Las Vegas Raiders |
+1500 |
Los Angeles Chargers Over 9.5 Wins (-108)
The Chargers really let us down last season. We were high on them from the jump, but they never seemed to be able to get a big win streak put together. They did finish 3 games over .500 but were just 2-4 in the division.
Their season ended extremely unceremoniously with a loss to lowly Denver to end the regular season and then to Jax in the wild card round of the playoffs. Herbert and the offense were not as good as expected but still finished 12th in points per game.
The defense was their main issue as they allowed over 23 points per game which put them down near the bottom of the league. It appears every team could run on them as they allowed an average of 144 rushing yards per game last season.
This year they start off healthy and need to stay that way. Receivers, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, both missed significant time while Herbert played through a rib injury that certainly affected his throwing. Austin Ekeler was his steady self and provided a threat in the backfield and out in the passing game.
The defense will need to figure things out this season in order to contend with KC for the division and we believe that is what will happen. The price on the Chiefs is too steep to play for the division title so we are going with who we believe will be their only contender. Let's sprinkle a little on the Bolts to win the AFC West at +340 odds over at Caesars.
Kansas City Chiefs Over 11.5 Wins (-125)
They did it again! This time without Tyreek Hill and many “talking heads” saying that the Chiefs will take a step back in 2022-2023. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce proved to be enough to get the job done and win yet another Super Bowl.
They defeated Andy’s old team, the Philadelphia Eagles, on a controversial flag near the final seconds of the game. While their defense was suspect at times (18th), the offense was tremendous and finished 1st in scoring per game (29.2). They were #1 or #2 in all total offensive statistical categories.
The main pieces are back this season for another run. There is not much of a reason to think that this Chiefs team cannot repeat. Obviously, it is difficult for any team to do so but the pieces are in place for them to make yet another run. It could hinge on the play of 2nd year running back Isaiah Pacheco, who could be in place for a monster year.
Denver Broncos Under 8.5 Wins (-105)
As much of a disaster as the Raiders were last season, the Broncos were arguably even worse. They brought in Russell Wilson to be their new franchise QB and most believed he would take the Broncos to a potential division title.
However, that was not the case. The offense finished as the worst in the league, scoring just 16.9ppg. The defense was in the Top 15 but was far from enough to keep them in most games.
Nathaniel Hackett was let go as head coach and Sean Payton was brought in. We will see just how much of the issues were on Hackett this season.
We believe Payton will get the most out of Wilson, like he did with Brees in his years in New Orleans. They will still be far from contending for the division, but this season should be a step in the right direction.
Las Vegas Raiders Under 7.5 Wins (-190)
The Raiders brought in Derek Carr’s former college teammate Davante Adams, who they believed would reignite the chemistry from their days in college. While Adams’s numbers were impressive, the team faltered to a 6-11 final record.
They ended the season on a 3-game losing streak and Carr was released and eventually signed by New Orleans. Josh Jacobs was the other bright spot for the Raiders as he led the league in rushing yards.
Jimmy G was brought in to take over for Carr in the offseason with Brian Hoyer to serve as his backup. Jacobs is back to defend his rushing title and Adams will still be a threat in the passing attack.
Maxx Crosby will need to get some help from the rest of the defense for them to take strides forward. Josh McDaniels is sitting firmly on the hot seat and will have a ton of pressure for his team to win from the get-go this season.
