2015 NFL Odds: Are Broncos Locks to Win AFC West Again? |

2015 NFL Odds: Are Broncos Locks to Win AFC West Again?

Peyton Manning is getting old, Gary Kubiak enters his first season and the Denver Broncos parted ways with Wes Welker and Julius Thomas. Yeah, so what? Despite all of the changes, Vegas still loves it some Broncos – specifically in the AFC West – where Denver still holds quite a lead (-180) over the rest of the division.

We get it, the Broncos were in the Super Bowl two years ago and have put up one of the league’s best offenses in all three years Peyton Manning has been with the team. Year four probably won’t be much different. But betting on the Broncos to win the AFC West is too easy. It’s almost boring, and hey, they might not even do it. Anyone doing any NFL betting this year can see the profit margin is thin unless you bet your life’s savings, so the bettor in us may be begging to take a shot on someone else. So, who else is actually worth it in the division? Let’s make a case for the other three teams.

Kansas City Chiefs (+350)

Andy Reid has pieced together a team that has a shot at making the playoffs and could easily make a deep run if everything falls into place. Kansas City made the playoffs two years ago in Reid’s debut season and blew a massive lead in Indianapolis. Their defense is now a major strong point for them, with their only true knock being Alex Smith’s noodle arm. Smith is a quality game manager, though, and any team with Jamaal Charles is one to fear. Add in Jeremy Maclin and an improving Travis Kelce, and this Kansas City team has the makings of a very deep and balanced team. The return of stud safety Eric Berry could be the cherry on top.

San Diego Chargers (+500)

This is more like it. The odds aren’t atrocious, but they’re giving you a little more wiggle room and a nicer payout. Philip Rivers is no sack, and with rookie rusher Melvin Gordon giving him a potentially explosive running threat, he could be leaning his best offense since the days of LT. The defense is another story, but Eric Weddle is still there and it at least has potential. Stopping the Broncos will continue to be the main obstacle, while the Bolts flamed out last year after a hot start. Mike McCoy is a solid young coach and a bright offensive mind, so the Chargers seem to, like always, at least have a chance.

Oakland Raiders (+1400)

Now here’s a betting man’s gravy train. Sure, the Raiders didn’t look like much last year and were at the bottom of the division, per usual. But one way or another, this is a team on the rise. Derek Carr has some moxie to him and enters his second NFL season, while Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Latavius Murray give him a talented trio of weapons around him. This Raiders offense just might be kind of good in 2015, and if their shaky defense can take a leap, too, well look out.

Of course, this is still the Raiders we’re talking about. Jack Del Rio is their new head coach (yawn) and their defense just isn’t very good yet. Unless Carr and co. are amazing from start to finish, Oakland probably isn’t looking at much more than a 6-10 or 7-9 finish. That’s progress, though, and we wouldn’t dare knock it. All that being said, Oakland obviously has weak odds to win the division because they’re not very good and they probably won’t come close. However, working with +1400 can be fun, so a small bet just for kicks may be in order.

In the end, Denver is still going to win this thing. They have a refreshed Manning, a great running game, explosive passing weapons, solid coaching and a strong defense. They’re the best team and it might not be that close. Oakland has the odds worth taking a gamble over, but if you’re going against the grain I like the Chargers. Rivers is always a fun guy to root for and I can’t bring myself to vouch for Alex Smith. Denver probably wins the division, but if you want a sensible bet with a little upside, San Diego isn’t a bad bet.