There’s just one month left in the NFL regular season, but the AFC hierarchy is hardly set in stone. The usual suspects – the Patriots, Broncos and Steelers – are once again the top contenders, but exactly how the whole thing shakes out in the seedings and when the playoffs get rolling is anyone’s guess.
With that said, let’s take a look at the AFC playoff picture and check out the odds for the favorites, sleepers and long shot to claim the conference title. Meanwhile, check out our breakdown of the NFC championship odds and the Super Bowl 50 odds.
[sc:Football ]
2016 AFC Championship Futures
Favorites
New England Patriots
[sc:NFL240banner ]Despite their mounting injury list and the fact that they might not get a first-round bye since 2009, the 10-2 Patriots remain the team to beat in the AFC according to the oddsmakers. The defending champs are +200 favorites to return to the Super Bowl, and as long as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are healthy come playoff time, it’s hard to argue with that price.
Denver Broncos
Brock Osweiler is still undefeated as a starter after his Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers, 17-3, and leapt up to the No. 2 seed in the conference. However, it remains to be seen whether the Broncos can go far in the postseason with Osweiler quarterback, or if he’s actually the better choice than the aging Peyton Manning. Denver’s defense remains elite, though, enough to justify their +280 odds to come out of the AFC regardless of who’s under center.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It speaks to the Steelers’ immense array of weapons that even without Le’Veon Bell, they are still the most explosive offense in the conference, and possibly the entire NFL. As long as Ben Roethlisberger remains on the field – which he still is even after the numerous injuries he’s suffered this season – the Steelers’ +325 odds to win the AFC will be very tempting indeed.
Sleepers
Cincinnati Bengals
Despite being the current holders of the No. 1 seed in the conference, the odds still aren’t too high on the Bengals’ Super Bowl chances. They’re just +900 to win the AFC, which is most likely a damning indictment of Andy Dalton’s ability to perform in the big stage even after some very clutch performances this season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Don’t sleep on the Chiefs (+1,500) and their chances of being possible conference title contenders. KC has now reeled off six-straight wins after beating the Raiders, 34-20, at Oakland. The Chiefs’ combination of a solid running game (which has flourished even without superstar Jamaal Charles) and playmaking defense – with a little sprinkling of game-manager Alex Smith – will make them a tough out in the wild-card round.
Long Shot
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo kept itself in contention for a possible wild-card spot with a 30-21 win over the Texans. Although the Bills, who are +4,000 long shots to win the AFC, are just 1-4 against teams that currently have a winning record, they have the playmakers on offense (Tyrod Taylor, LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins) and defense to make a surprise run.
