AFC West Division Odds: Chargers Shoot Up Past Broncos, Now Neck-in-Neck with Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes may still be considered the best quarterback in the NFL, but the times, they are a changin' in the toughest division in football this season.

With Justin Herbert at the helm for his third NFL season, Los Angeles Chargers are breathing down the necks of the six-time consecutive AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs at the books. Over at Caesars Sportsbook, however, there's a very notable move that took place on Saturday.

According to ESPN Betting Insider Joe Fortenbaugh, the Chargers and Denver Broncos were both posted at the same odds to take down the division with the Chiefs remaining the stand-alone favorite. Now, he says the Chargers have separated themselves from the Broncos in a big way.

There's good reason for Chargers bettors to be buying in early. Herbert, despite a 15-17 career record already has 69 touchdowns in 32 games for 9,350 passing yards. He's already been named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and was a Pro Bowler in 2021.

The rest of their top 5 offense is pretty much all back; Mike Williams resigned this offseason to run back with Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler and Joshua Palmer; while bringing in Gerald Everett to hold down the tight end position. They also shored up their offensive line with Corey Lindsley and Matt Feiler inside at center and left guard.

Defensively, the Chargers acquired one of the league's best pass rushers when healthy in Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick, and will have one of the league's scariest tandems getting to the quarterback with Mack and Joey Bosa.

While Kansas City may have lost Tyreek Hill to a trade with the Miami Dolphins, they still have Travis Kelce, along with second round wide receiver Skyy Moore, who's already impressed in the early going of Training Camp.

Best AFC West Odds for Every Team to Win the Division

Los Angeles' +200 odds at Caesars is by far the shortest odds on the board across multiple major-name sportsbooks to win the division. From a consensus standpoint, the Chargers are +225 across nine different books.

As of July 30, here are the most favorable odds for each team to win the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs' Division Odds

• Consensus Odds: +170
• Best Odds: +190 - Caesars Sportsbook

Los Angeles Chargers' Division Odds

• Consensus Odds: +225
• Best Odds: +240 - FanDuel Sportsbook

Denver Broncos' Division Odds

• Consensus Odds: +265
• Best Odds: +325 - Caesars Sportsbook

Las Vegas Raiders' Division Odds

• Consensus Odds: +650
• Best Odds: +700 - FanDuel Sportsbook

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!