AFC division betting preview: Can anyone dethrone the Chiefs?

We already looked at the NFC division odds and made our picks. It's now time to turn our attention to the vaunted AFC, a conference full of Super Bowl contenders.

AFC East

🏈 Check out AFC division odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here

The Bills are the biggest division favorites in the league, and with good reason. They went 13-4 last season despite entering the year with concerns on offense after Stefon Diggs left. Josh Allen answered the bell, winning MVP without any big-name weapons.

Working in Buffalo's favor is the fact that the rest of the division is a mess. The Patriots are trending in the right direction, but second-year quarterback Drake Maye has a lot to prove in his first full season as the starter. Although new head coach Mike Vrabel should help accelerate their progress, they lack the talent to keep up with the Bills this season.

The Dolphins need everything to go their way to have a shot at the division crown, and that starts with keeping Tua Tagovailoa healthy. But even if he stays on the field for the entire season, their defense will likely be their downfall.

While betting a -300 preseason favorite isn't the most exciting wager to make, it's the smartest one, since the Bills should handle the division with ease.

BET: Bills to win the AFC East (-300)

AFC North

🏈 Check out AFC division odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here

The AFC North is always competitive, and this year will be no different.

The Ravens are the class of the group and co-favorites with the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. After capturing the last two division titles, Baltimore added pieces on defense and still boasts perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson under center. The Ravens may be the most complete team in the NFL.

The Bengals are their biggest threat in the division. There are zero questions about an offense featuring Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown - it's Cincinnati's defense that's a concern. It'll be an even bigger issue if the Bengals can't agree to a new deal with Trey Hendrickson.

The Steelers should be solid in their one-year trial with Aaron Rodgers, but it's hard to see them winning the 11-12 games it will likely require to be the AFC North's top team.

Given the completeness of the Ravens' roster and the flaws of their main competitors, paying -160 for Baltimore to win its third straight division title is the smartest bet to make.

BET: Ravens to win the AFC North (-160)

AFC West

🏈 Check out AFC division odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here

The AFC North was long considered the most competitive division in the conference, but that designation may be shifting to the AFC West.

The Chiefs have won nine straight division titles and still have Patrick Mahomes. They're -120 favorites to win a 10th division crown, but their competition is getting much stronger.

In their second season under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers will likely improve upon their 11-6 record. They boasted one of the league's best defenses last year, conceding the fewest points, and that unit should remain strong in 2025. Plus, any offense led by Justin Herbert is a threat to score a lot, even if Harbaugh is a more defensive-minded coach.

The Broncos should also be tougher to beat after they put together a 10-6 record with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback. They've got one of the best defenses in the league as well, and that will keep them in games regardless of how the offense performs. If Nix continues to develop his game, there are three teams with a legit shot at claiming this division, and all three should be playoff contenders.

However, the Chargers offer the best value on the board. We're banking on them to get better and the Chiefs to take a step back during the regular season, as Mahomes and Co. could be preserving themselves for another Super Bowl run. The Chargers are a young and hungry group with the ability to take the next step.

BET: Chargers to win the AFC West (+300)

AFC South

🏈 Check out AFC division odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here

The AFC South mirrors its NFC counterpart as the worst in the conference, and the winner will likely be the fourth seed in the playoffs.

The Texans are +100 favorites to win the division for a third consecutive year. C.J. Stroud regressed last season after his Rookie of the Year campaign, but Houston was able to get the job done on the back of its outstanding defense. If Stroud and the offense can raise their level of play, the Texans should be firmly in the mix for another division title.

But Houston's competition is expected to be better too. The Jaguars finally appear to have an offensive-minded head coach in Liam Coen, who should be able to elevate Trevor Lawrence's play. The former No. 1 overall pick has yet to live up to the lofty expectations he faced out of college, but Coen could be the key to unlocking his full potential.

The Jaguars still have question marks on defense, and they face a difficult task in handling Travis Hunter's workload on both sides of the ball. However, the expected improvements on offense and a full season of health for Lawrence should be enough for the Jags to give the Texans a run for their money. That makes Jacksonville a worthwhile shot at +300 in a weak and wide-open division.

BET: Jaguars to win the AFC South (+300)

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