The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to become the fourth team in NFL history to win three consecutive conference championships.
Highlights:
- Chiefs: Chasing a third straight AFC title.
- Ravens: Enhanced by Derrick Henry, strong defense.
- Bengals: Burrow returns, boosted offense.
- Texans: Key additions include Joe Milton and Stefon Diggs.
- Jets: Revamped with Aaron Rodgers and O-line upgrades.
Kansas City Chiefs: Aiming for a Three-Peat in the AFC
The last team to accomplish the feat was the New England Patriots from 2016-18, who won two of those three Super Bowls. The two other occurrences were the Buffalo Bills from 1990-93, losing all four of those Super Bowls, and the Miami Dolphins from 1971-73, winning twice.
The Chiefs are the favorites to win the AFC at +350 and are tied with the 49ers, the favorites in the NFC, to win the Super Bowl at +600 according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, we always need to start there. They also have tight end Travis Kelce They added some more weapons on offense, signing Marquise Brown and adding Texas wideout Xavier Worthy in the first round. The Texas receiver broke the record with the fastest 40 yard-dash in the combine’s history with a 4.21. They also have bruising running back Isiah Pacheco, who offers the ability to both run and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Baltimore Ravens: Strengthening for a Super Bowl Run
However, the other teams in the conference also had solid offseasons, with the Baltimore Ravens being one of them, who lost to Kansas City in the conference championship last season.
The Ravens have the second shortest odds at +550.
They addressed an issue that did not only help the running back room when they signed Derrick Henry, but it will also take some weight off of reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, who has led the Ravens in rushing yards every season he has been a full time starter.
Jackson will have Henry in the backfield and has Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor and tight end Mark Andrews in the passing game.
Baltimore lost defensive coordinator Michal Macdonald, who is now the head coach in Seattle, but the addition of Nate Wiggins in the draft should bolster the secondary for new coordinator Zach Orr. Orr has Pro Bowl players at all three levels of his defense with defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton.
Cincinnati Bengals: Rebounding with a Revamped Roster
Another team that could be in the mix in the AFC this season is the Cincinnati Bengals, who missed the playoffs last season at 9-8 and have odds of +750. However, the Bengals will get Joe Burrow back and paired with Ja’ Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to form one of the most explosive offenses in the league when they are clicking. Running back Zach Moss replaces Joe Mixon, who is now in Houston, and new tight end Mike Gesicki gives Burrow another athletic player in the passing game.
On defense, the Bengals have plenty of talent led by defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and added defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt return and Vonn Bell and Geno Stone anchor the safety spot.
Houston Texans: Rising with New Additions
The Houston Texans are another team to look out for with the fifth shortest odds at +800. They won a playoff game and went 10-7 in the regular season with first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C. J. Stroud, who was the offensive rookie of the year in 2023.
They improved their offense for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik with a couple of big trades. They acquired running back Joe Milton from the Bengals, who led Cincinnati in rushing yards the last seven seasons. Perhaps the biggest trade of the offseason was Houston grabbing dynamic wide receiver Stefon Diggs from Buffalo and joining Nico Collins and Tank Dell, both had a solid 2023.
New York Jets: Rebuilding with Veteran Leadership
The New York Jets are right behind Houston at +850. They have had an elite defense the past couple of seasons but have not been able to move the ball offensively with tons of issues at both quarterback and along the offensive line.
New York hopes to have fixed those issues, with four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers, who played just four snaps last season. They signed 8 time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, drafted All-American Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and traded for Morgan Moses.
My Betting Pick
I’m picking the Baltimore Ravens. While many people are high on the Chiefs it’s very difficult to reach the Super Bowl three times in a row. The Ravens are a team that has been knocking on the door for a while. Baltimore always has a stout defense and adding Henry could be the difference this year, taking some of the playoff pressure off Jackson to make his first Super Bowl appearance.
Looking for a longshot?
How about Cleveland with odds of +1200. The Browns have a fierce defense, and if Deshaun Watson can resemble, the player he was in Houston, the Browns could be a surprise team in the AFC.
They feature Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah along with a solid secondary featuring Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II giving the Browns an excellent defense.
Cleveland offers plenty of value and could be the surprise team in the AFC.
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