NFL Betting - Chargers lead the way in AFC West
2008 NFL betting:
- What can slow down the San Diego Chargers?
- Are the Oakland Raiders finally building a winner?
- Can the Denver Broncos play to their potential?
After the San Diego Chargers (-300 AFC West division odds) nearly defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, the juice on all of their prop bets was cranked up by every online sportsbook.. Their line to win the AFC West sits at -300, which according to fans who bet on sports, is a foregone conclusion.
Aside from the New England Patriots, the Chargers are the biggest favorite to win their division. The reasoning is largely because San Diego returns virtually its entire roster after cruising through the West in 2007.
Quarterback Philip Rivers really stepped up as a leader in the NFL playoffs; the defense proved it was capable of slowing both the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, two of the league's premier offensive units. With a young, talented roster intact and another year of growth under its belt, bigger and better things are expected from this front runner.
Considering the division's remaining three teams?the Denver Broncos (+495 AFC West odds), Oakland Raiders (+950 AFC West odds) and Kansas City Chiefs (+950 AFC West odds)?are such big underdogs, it's pretty clear they're not generating much action.
The Oakland Raiders are a strange team. They seem to have some nice building blocks in JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden and Ronald Curry on offense, and Derrick Burgess, Kirk Morrison and Michael Huff on defense, but they infused their lineup with too many overpaid veterans this offseason.
They signed wide out Javon Walker to a monstrous contract after two discouraging seasons; inked defensive tackle Tommy Kelly to a ludicrous contract; and signed solid if unspectacular New York Giants safety Gibril Wilson to big dollars. The Raiders, again, look good on paper but will probably end up as a dysfunctional squad.
The Chiefs share the basement in the AFC West with the Raiders but are biding their time and building smartly: through the draft and young prospects. They will undoubtedly have a losing season but have retooled their team with a great draft.
Kansas City upgraded both lines with defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive guard Brandon Albert. Their offensive line was particularly brutal last year. The Chiefs also added cornerback Brandon Flowers in the second round and running back Jamaal Charles in the third round, both of whom figure to be integral members of the team in the coming years.
The Denver Broncos have the best chance to unseat the Chargers because they are more of a finished product than the Raiders or Chiefs, but how good is the product?
Injuries hampered the Broncos all season long and turned a potential playoff team into losing squad. Denver must be more physical on both lines of scrimmage; the offensive line was a frequent let down last season and the defensive line was one of the easiest to run on. This is one area where the Chargers have a significant edge, which will likely decide the division.
Outside of sprinkling on the Broncos in the hope that the Chargers are decimated by injuries, there is no real value outside of betting the Chargers.
AFC West Odds:
San Diego Chargers (-300)
Denver Broncos (+495)
Oakland Raiders (+950)
Kansas City Chiefs (+950)
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
