AFC 2019 Divisional Title Predictions – NFL Betting

Chiefs are the choice to upstage the Patriots

New England Patriots lost five times last year in the regular season but still ended up with a sixth Super Bowl title. Can the oldest squad in the NFL defy the odds again?

AFC East Current Best Odds – Patriots impossible to oppose again

New England Patriots 1/5, New York Jets 8/1, Buffalo Bills 12/1, Miami Dolphins 45/1

The Patriots have lost Rob Gronkowski so will be relying even more on Tom Brady this season. Will that provide a glimmer of light to their AFC East rivals? Not according to bookmakers, who are only a best 1/5 with Bet365 for the Patriots to top the division yet again, though that is slightly dismissive of the New York Jets who went close last year. Adam Gase, however, has been unable to recruit any star names and the Jets are available at 8/1.

AFC West Current Best Odds – Chiefs starting to look the real deal

Kansas City Chiefs 4/6, Los Angeles Chargers 19/10, Denver Broncos 14/1, Oakland Raiders 16/1

Kansas have a potential superstar on their hands in Patrick Mahomes. In his first season, and throwing 50 touchdown passes which was just short of Peyton Manning’s all-time record, the QB dragged the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game. They have two strong wide receivers in Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins and should be too strong for the Chargers, though Los Angeles did make the play-offs last year for the first time since 2013 and have got key tight end Hunter Henry back to full fitness.

AFC North Current Best Odds – Tough division will sort men from the boys

Cleveland Browns 6/4, Pittsburgh Steelers 19/10, Baltimore Ravens 3/1, Cincinnati Bengals 20/1

Opinion is divided about which team should head the betting for the AFC North, arguably the weakest section on paper. Bet365 go out on a limb by offering up the Pittsburgh Steelers at 19/10. The Steelers endured a terrible end to regular season last year, losing four of their last six fixtures. That saw them fail to qualify for the play-offs for the first time since 2013 and they’ve lost Antonio Brown since, though Diontae Johnson looks a fine replacement. The Browns, a best 6/4, have reunited high school friends Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry but still need to improve massively on last year’s record. The Ravens (a general 3/1) were transformed when Lamar Jackson took over QB duties halfway through last season and reached the play-offs. He’ll be number one this year but does need to improve his passing game to see his side take divisional honours.

AFC South Current Best Odds – Emerging Colts overpriced despite Luck running out

Houston Texans 11/8, Jacksonville Jaguars 13/5, Tennessee Titans 15/4, Indianapolis Colts 5/1

This is the most competitive of the four AFC divisions. To be honest, there is unlikely to be any Super Bowl contenders this year among the quartet but Bill O’Brien’s Texans (11/8 with BetVictor) are fairly consistent in what they do and have a reliable wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. But they’ve lost Lamar Miller for the entire season and his absence makes them much weaker. The Jaguars lost 11 times last season and still look short of offensive options while the Titans look average across front and back. The Colts are the outsiders at a general 5/1 but would have been pressing the Texans for favouritism but for the shock retirement of QB Andrew Luck. Jacoby Brisset has to step into his shoes and this season could go either way for their young side but there is plenty of talent in the house if early results go their way.

AFC Championship Current Best Odds

New England Patriots 3/1
Kansas City Chiefs 7/2
Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns 7/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 11/1
Houston Texans 14/1
Baltimore Ravens 16/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 18/1
Tennessee Titans 28/1
Indianapolis Colts 33/1
New York Jets 40/1
Denver Broncos 50/1
Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders 66/1
Cincinnati Bengals 80/1
Miami Dolphins 150/1
(Odds correct at 2.15pm September 5)

AFC Championship Predictions

The young guns of the Kansas City Chiefs can outlast the old guard at the New England Patriots and storm to the AFC Championship. Indianapolis Colts could surprise a few who have already written them off and qualify for the play-offs. The Jets should also pick up a wildcard at the very least.

AFC Conference Straight Forecast Chiefs/Patriots
15/2

Ladbrokes