AFC West 2024 Division Preview: Betting Odds, Team Outlooks, & Predictions

We are less than a month away from preseason football so it’s never too early to talk some NFL! This is your 2024 AFC West Divisional Preview featuring everything you need to know about the division that runs through Arrowhead.

The Chiefs have dominated this division for quite some time. They have won it every year since 2016 and I’m sure they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Kansas City or Denver has topped this division for the past 15 years, with the Chargers winning most recently in 2009, and the Raiders back in 2002.

Can anything change this year?

In this piece, we will include:

• Betting Odds to Win the Division
• Team Outlooks
• Division Predictions

So let’s get right into it!

AFC West Betting Odds

Odds to Win the AFC West

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of 3:17 pm Eastern on July 16th, 2024.

• Kansas City Chiefs -250
• Los Angeles Chargers +325
• Las Vegas Raiders +1000
• Denver Broncos +1400

Clearly, this is the Chiefs Division to lose. But does anyone stand a chance?

AFC West Team Previews

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos finished 3rd in the AFC West last year. They posted an 8-9 record, and did not rank well statistically. Denver was 19th in the NFL in scoring, and 27th in points against, allowing over 24 per game while only scoring 21. The Broncos finally parted ways with Russell Wilson this offseason, and after acquiring a former 2nd overall pick and drafting a QB with the 12th pick, that situation is up in the air.

The current QB room in Denver consists of Jarrett Stidham, 12th overall pick Bo Nix, and Zach Wilson. They are currently listed on the depth chart in that order, but who knows who will be under center for Week 1. They did sign Josh Reynolds as a speedy WR but lack offensive weapons otherwise. Defensively, Denver released Safety Justin Simmons, and didn’t do much to fill his place. This could be a very long season for the Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders went 8-9 finishing 2nd in the AFC West last year, but that will be difficult to duplicate. Las Vegas officially named Antonio Pierce as their head coach in January but they let RB Josh Jacobs walk, and he eventually signed with the Packers. Then, the  Raiders drafted TE Brock Bowers 13th overall to add to an offense that has Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. Zamir White and Alexander Mattison will split time at RB, but is Aiden O’Connell enough to lead this team in this division? They signed Gardner Minshew, and he will be competing for the starting job, however the competition is tough.

We’ve got a brand new head coach, and 2nd year QB trying to compete with Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, and Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. The deck is simply stacked against Las Vegas. They finished Top 10 in points against last year, but their offense was nearly nonexistent. Bowers can only help so much, and I still see too many issues scoring the ball to really do some damage this NFL Season.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers were 5-12 and dead last in the AFC West last season. They were north of 20th in the league in rushing yards, scoring and points against. They needed change, and they went out and got it by signing former Michigan Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh. He coached previously in the NFL for San Francisco from 2011-2014 before heading to Michigan where he is coming off a National Championship. The Chargers resigned Justin Herbert to a massive extension, and are clearly going all in on with the kid.

Los Angeles released Austin Ekeler but signed both Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins to patrol the backfield and give Herbert options. Keenan Allen walked, but the Chargers did sign DJ Chark and drafted Ladd McConkey who should make an immediate impact. Josh Palmer and Quintin Johnston are Herbert’s other WR targets, so it will only be a matter of if these guys can make the catches or not.

Defensively, the Chargers boast Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Asante Samuel Jr, and Derwin James Jr, so there is little question on that side of the ball. Bringing in an offensive minded coach like Harbaugh could solve this team’s problems, however I still think Kansas City takes this division.

Kansas City Chiefs

Ah yes, here we go. I’ll save you the glaze but before you think anyone else stands a chance, the past two seasons have been “rebuilding” years for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes had negative help from his receivers last season who seemed to drop every important ball thrown their way. Travis Kelce still dominated, and the defense came to play for the Chiefs who finished 11-6, won the AFC West for a 8th straight season, and won their 2nd straight Super Bowl.

The Chiefs signed Hollywood Brown and drafted WR Xavier Worthy to add incredible amounts of speed to their WR Room. With those two, Rashee Rice and Kelce running downfield, defenses will have their hands full trying to keep up. As a -250 favorite to win the division, that should tell you everything you need to know. Kansas City should once again dominate a very weak AFC West.

The Broncos are in shambles and have no QB, the Raiders have a first time head coach and an interesting QB situation, and the Chargers, despite having a decent QB, have a new head coach and plenty of wide receiver issues to sort through. This division should be another cake walk for the Chiefs.

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