The New England Patriots are always one of the strongest teams in the AFC each year, and this season will be no different. Tom Brady, who will turn 41 in August, is back to lead the charge. Despite being one of the NFL’s oldest quarterbacks, he remains one of the best too.
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The Patriots are the reigning NFL runners-up after winning another AFC title in 2017 and falling to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. They have won three of the last four AFC titles and eight in franchise history. New England is the clear preseason favorite again this season, according to both experts and oddsmakers. They have +280 odds to claim yet another conference title.
There are a host of teams expected to challenge them. The team with the second-best odds is the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they will once again roll out the potent trio of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wideout Antonio Brown.
The Los Angeles Chargers have surged up the odds list and are now being wagered on as the third-most likely team to win the AFC, followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who nearly knocked off the Patriots in the AFC championship game a year ago. There are longer shots beyond those four teams but the Eagles showed a season ago that a preseason sleeper can always make a deep run if the stars align.
AFC ODDS
New England Patriots +280
Pittsburgh Steelers +435
Los Angeles Chargers +600
Jacksonville Jaguars +790
Houston Texans +1175
Kansas City Chiefs +1200
Oakland Raiders +1503
Tennessee Titans +2005
Baltimore Ravens +2005
Denver Broncos +2600
Indianapolis Colts +2917
Buffalo Bills +3600
Cleveland Browns +4500
Cincinnati Bengals +4650
Miami Dolphins +5000
New York Jets +5300
AFC STANDINGS (2017 Season)
1: New England Patriots (13-3)
2: Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
3: Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
4: Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
5: Tennessee Titans (9-7)
6: Buffalo Bills (9-7)
7: Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
8: Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
9: Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
10: Oakland Raiders (6-10)
11: Miami Dolphins (6-10)
12: Denver Broncos (5-11)
13: New York Jets (5-11)
14: Indianapolis Colts (4-12)
15: Houston Texans (4-12)
16: Cleveland Browns (0-16)
AFC TEAMS TO WATCH
Los Angeles Chargers (+600)
The Chargers did not even make the playoffs a year ago, finishing two games above .500, but the betting public is hot on their tail for success in 2018. It is easy to understand why. For a long time, the Chargers had an upper-tier quarterback in Philip Rivers but lacked a running game and defense. Melvin Gordon has helped solidify the running game while defensive end Joey Bosa and cornerback Casey Hayward has helped turn the defends into a strength. The Chargers look like they could do damage, but the play in the tough AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos, so it could be tough to lock up the all-important first-round bye.
Indianapolis Colts (+2917)
If you are interested in a longshot choice, the best odds go to the Colts. They struggled throughout 2017 but that was because superstar quarterback Andrew Luck was on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. He is hoping to get back this year and when healthy Luck is one of the game’s best quarterbacks. Keep an eye on his status. The AFC South has gotten much better with the emergence of the Jaguars and the Texans, but at these odds it is worth a shot in the dark to hope Luck can return to form and get Indianapolis back on the winning track.
Denver Broncos (+2600)
It wasn’t too long ago that the Broncos won the Super Bowl behind a great defense, but that group has lost some talent. More concerningly, the team has not found a quarterback since Peyton Manning retired. Case Keenum was signed in free agency and while he is not a superstar, he did a great job last year with a Vikings team that also boasted a great defense. The Broncos may have to rebuild if this season is unsuccessful, but with pieces like Chris Harris and Von Miller on defense, the ability is there for a turnaround if Keenum can find some success like he did in 2017. This is another intriguing darkhorse.
Click here for the latest NFL futures betting odds.
