With Russell Wilson going to Denver and Davante Adams landing in Las Vegas this offseason, the AFC West looked like the class of the NFL entering the season.
Because the Broncos and Raiders have failed to impress and the Los Angeles Chargers have run into serious injury trouble — that no longer seems like an accurate characterization.
The latest: The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled this division for years and keep on rolling, the Chargers just blew their best chance to get back in it and the Raiders are in a hole.
Here are the latest AFC West odds.
AFC West odds
Check out the latest odds to win the AFC West. Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.
| Team | Odds | Odds on November 22 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -10,000 | -5,000 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2,500 | +2,500 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +15,000 | +10,000 |
| Denver Broncos | +50,000 | +15,300 |
Odds as of 1:55 p.m. on 11/28/2022.
Best AFC West odds
The favourite: Chiefs (-10,000)
The Chiefs may not be quite as explosive in the wake of Tyreek Hill's departure, but any offence led by Patrick Mahomes is a great one. Kansas City's defence is less impressive, but a group allowing fewer than 23 points per game gives Mahomes and co. plenty of opportunities to stack up wins.
Add in a few of banked divisional victories, plus every other team in the division falling short of expectations early, and you've got a prohibitive favourite. Beating the Chargers in Week 11 nearly sealed the deal.
If you were nitpicking, you could point to a shocking Week 3 loss to the Colts and unconvincing wins over the Raiders and Titans as signs that this team isn't truly elite.
But it's hard to argue with their 9-2 record and signature wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 and San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. We're not inclined to make much of a close loss to a Buffalo Bills team that's among the best in the league.
Other AFC West choices
Best value: Chargers (+2,500)
The Chargers haven't won a division title since 2009 and they're a longshot to end that drought — thanks in large part to the injury bug.
Herbert is dealing with fractured cartilage in his ribs, and it's unclear when (or if) he'll be 100% again. A bet on Los Angeles presumes he can produce at an elite level, and that's no guarantee right now.
Losing three of their last five games has made a comeback in this division a near impossibility, especially with the Chiefs owning a tiebreaker.
If this team is going to dethrone the Chiefs, however, it will have to get Rashawn Slater, Joey Bosa and Mike Williams back healthy.
That could happen by the end of the year, but they might be a better dark horse pick for playoff success than a bet to win this division. Until L.A. gets some of its blue-chip players back, it'll have to rely on Herbert and Ekeler to keep them afloat.
Team to watch: Raiders (+15,000)
Losing a number of close games early in the season ensured the Raiders' chances of winning the AFC West were effectively over before the season was a quarter of the way through.
Las Vegas' offence is competent thanks to the capable Derek Carr's presence and a strong group of skill position players, but its defence is among the worst groups in the NFL.
After losing close game after close game, the Raiders do deserve some credit for knocking off the Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 12, thanks to an incredible effort from Josh Jacobs.
HE GONE‼️‼️@iAM_JoshJacobs OT GAME WINNER.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 28, 2022
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/8JtHrsHSR2
Even so, it's almost impossible for them to win this division and on balance, the Josh McDaniels era is off to a rough start.