AFC West Odds, Predictions, Betting Picks 2024: Chargers Turning up the Heat on the Chiefs

• Rashee Rice is expected to miss the remainder of the season after ACL surgery

• The Chargers have been without Derwin James and Joey Bosa on defense

• The Raiders have traded Davante Adams to the Jets

The Chiefs remain a heavy favorite in a division they have dominated over the last decade. However, something is brewing in Los Angeles. A new-look Chargers team has turned some heads after six weeks, making them an unexpected contender for the division title. That should bring us the best AFC West in recent memory.

Below, we will share the latest insights into all four teams and our pick to win. The odds we use will be taken from FanDuel Sportsbook. If you want to give FanDuel a try, sign up using our custom link to earn $300 in Bonus Bets!

Discover our podcast, Ride the Line, which is dedicated to all things sports and sports betting. Dive into Grant and Tanner's expert selections for the AFC West.

AFC West Division Winner Odds

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Click the odds in the table below and claim the bonus at FanDuel: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

AFC West Predictions and Favorites to Win

Kansas City Chiefs (-1300) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Chiefs are the only undefeated team remaining despite an underwhelming start to their season. This season feels eerily similar to last season when many experts began to question this team during the season, only for them to once again win the Super Bowl. While we have concerns about this year’s team, there is no reason to suspect they will lose the AFC West.

Once again, this team's biggest concern is the offense. While Patrick Mahomes remains elite, Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice are both set to miss significant time with injuries. They join runningback Isiah Pacheco on the sideline, leaving the offense without three key weapons.

The Chiefs had one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL last season, which could be again with Brown and Rice out. That makes rookie Xavier Worthy the X-factor for this team, as he is now the top receiver. If he can settle in quickly, it could mean yet another Super Bowl for this Chiefs dynasty.

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Los Angeles Chargers (+1100) at FanDuel Sportsbook

We really like what we have seen from the Chargers over the first five weeks of the season. That is primarily because of the defense, which is allowing the fewest points per game in the league this season. Much of that success has come without Derwin James and Joey Bosa, both of whom are dealing with injuries that caused them to miss games.

The Chargers' offense is still a work in progress, but it is trending in the right direction. JK Dobbins has been a massive upgrade for the LA run game, while the team’s young receiving corps is coming along. Justin Herbert is still working to gel with his new pass catchers but is delivering results.

It seems that ear Jim Harbaugh has already given the culture in LA a massive overhaul. The coach has won wherever he has gone, and this stop appears to be no different.

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Denver Broncos (+5500) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Broncos dropped a key division game to the Chargers in Week 6. The loss dropped the team’s record to 3-3, putting them back into third place in the division. While a .500 record after six weeks is an improvement from last season, it felt like the game showed the gap between Denver and the division’s top two teams.

The Broncos' success has come from the defensive side of the ball. They rank fourth in the NFL in yards and points allowed per game despite playing some talented offenses. Pat Surtain is having an incredible season in the secondary, highlighted by a 100-yard interception return touchdown. The team also has one of the best young pass-rushing duos in the NFL: Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, both of whom have registered 4+ sacks through six games.

The Broncos' biggest concern is rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The team hoped drafting an older rookie would lead to a smoother transition to the NFL, but that hasn’t been the case. Nix struggles to get plays off on time and seems panicked often when he's in the pocket. We still like Nix’s prospects for the future, but it is clear he is not yet ready to be a starter in this league.

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Las Vegas Raiders (+10000) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Raiders took some significant steps to compete this season, but each one of them has blown up in their face after six weeks. 

One move the Raiders made was bringing in Gardner Minshew, who has already been benched in favor of 2023 starter Aidan O’Connell. After finding success with the Colts last season, Minshew has been unable to duplicate that success in Las Vegas, even with Brock Bowers and Davante Adams. Poor production from the position led to Adams asking for a trade, which led to him being dealt to the Jets after Week 6.

Another significant move was allowing Josh Jacobs to walk, handing over control of the backfield to Zamir White. The 25-year-old looked good in limited time last season but has been a disaster in 2024. While Alexander Mattison has been a bit better, the Raiders still rank thirty-first in rushing, while Jacobs thrives in Green Bay.

On defense, the Raiders brought in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to help boost the line and support Maxx Crosby. The former Dolphin started the season slow and is now on the IR with a foot injury.

It’s impossible to cover all the Raiders’ roster mistakes, so they decided to deal with Adams as they prepared to rebuild.

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AFC West Pick - My Pick

Los Angeles Chargers (+1100) at FanDuel Sportsbook

We LOVE this bet at its current price. The Chargers' defense looks fantastic and will only improve once James and Bosa return. The offense will also improve as rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year Quentin Johnston settle in and gel with Justin Herbert. Combine that with a proven head coach and a new culture, and you have a recipe for a monster season.

The Chiefs feel broken like they did last season, but the rest of the AFC West was too weak to capitalize. That won’t be the case this year with an improved Chargers team and an injured Chiefs squad that has grown complacent atop the AFC West.

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Previous AFC West Winners

The Kansas City Chiefs have dominated this division, taking over from the Denver Broncos in 2016. 

Below are the last ten teams to win the AFC West.

How to Read NFL Future Odds

NFL futures odds work the same as any other bet. Each bet includes a number following the team or player, preceded by a plus or minus sign. 

A plus sign before the number usually indicates an underdog, which is common with futures bets. If the odds next to a team or player have a plus sign, that is the amount that you will win for every $100 you bet.

A minus sign usually indicates the favorite to win, though they are rarely seen for future bets. A minus sign in front of the odds means that is how much you need to bet to win $100.

For example, you bet $100 on the Broncos +350 to win the AFC West. If they win the division, you will win $350. 

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the AFC West

Are you ready to start betting on the AFC West but unsure where to start? If so, we have you covered with our sportsbook reviews. Below is a comparison between some of the industry’s top NFL betting sites.

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