Various NFL futures for the upcoming season have been on the betting board at 5Dimes online sportsbook for the past several months since the New England Patriots won Super Bowl LIII. Since that first release, specific team’s odds have been bet up or down based on what has taken place this offseason.
When it comes to the NFL futures to win the 2019 AFC Championship, some things never change at the top of that list. There are a few surprises on the board and some solid value to be found at longer odds.
AFC Championship Top Valued Favorites
The AFC has been completely dominated by one team over the past several seasons, and that appears to remain the case heading into this season. New England has played in the AFC title game the past eight seasons. It has won that game four times in the past five seasons on its way to three Super Bowl titles. The Patriots’ odds to win a fourth-straight conference championship this season are set at +310.
It would be hard to bet against this team given what Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady as a future Hall of Fame quarterback have been able to accomplish over their course of time together. This dates back to 2001 and their first Super Bowl title run. The lack of any real competition in the AFC East along with one letdown after another by the Patriots’ opponents in all those conference championship games adds even more value to their odds as favorites.
It was Kansas City’s turn to take down New England in last year’s AFC Championship, and the Chiefs came up short in a 37-31 loss as three-point home favorites. Kansas City did quite a few things really well in its run to that game, especially on offense under the guidance of second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He won league MVP honors for his stellar play, and he is a big reason why the Chiefs are +360 second-favorites to win that game this time around.
With the playing status of Kansas City wide receiver Tyreek Hill up in the air, Mahomes could be put to the test right out of the gate. The Chiefs also need to tighten things up on defense after slipping to 31st in the NFL in total yards allowed. They are still the second-best team in the AFC, but the gap with the Patriots remains rather wide.
2019 NFC Title Odds
- New England Patriots +315
- Kansas City Chiefs +450
- Cleveland Browns +550
- Indianapolis Colts +650
- Los Angeles Chargers +730
- Pittsburgh Steelers +1300
- Houston Texans +1350
- Jacksonville Jaguars +1800
- Baltimore Ravens +2300
- New York Jets +3000
- Oakland Raiders +3300
- Denver Broncos +4350
- Tennessee Titans +4350
- Buffalo Bills +4500
- Cincinnati Bengals +8500
- Miami Dolphins +15500
AFC Championship Top Valued Contenders
The Cleveland Browns are third on the list at +605 given the overall talent that was added through free agency and the draft. However, it is hard to buy into all the hype for a team that posted its last winning record in 2007.
One team that does offer value in the contender’s category is the Indianapolis Colts as +775 fourth-favorites to win the AFC. The Colts won their last five games of the regular season before losing to Kansas City in the playoffs. Andrew Luck should be even better this season after successfully staying healthy the entire 2018 campaign.
You should also put the Los Angeles Chargers in this category with +800 odds. They gave the Chiefs a run for the money in the AFC West last season at 12-4. If veteran quarterback Philip Rivers can continue to play at a high level, this division race should once again remain neck-and-neck right through Week 17.
AFC Championship Top Valued Pick at Longer Odds
Houston is next on the list at +1150 followed by Pittsburgh as +1275 odds to win the conference. I am going even longer on the odds for this pick with the Jacksonville Jaguars at +1150. They are just one year removed from giving New England everything it could handle in the 2017 AFC title game. Adding Nick Foles at quarterback and his knack for winning the big games in the postseason adds a ton of betting value to the Jaguars in my book.
