The AFC West might be one of the more lopsided divisions in the NFL at the moment, and any division really would be when the Kansas City Chiefs are in it.
KC should run away with the division again this season, but at least one of the other three teams should be able to out up some sort of a fight this year. So let’s take a look at the projected win totals and determine if they’ll win more or less than what the experts think. The full schedule release is not expected until mid-May, but in the meantime, DraftKings Sportsbook unveiled their 2021 NFL season win totals.
Kansas City Chiefs, Win total: 12
The two-time reigning AFC champions are favored by many to win the Super Bowl like they did two years ago. In 2020, KC won 14 games in the regular season, both of which came to a divisional opponent. They’re returning virtually every major contributor to the team from last season and will still be led by Patrick Mahomes. Because of that, it’s tough to see them winning any less than 12 games.
Pick: OVER
Las Vegas Raiders, Win total: 7.5
No matter what happens on the field in Vegas this season, Jon Gruden will still be the head coach for the foreseeable future. Last season, nothing the team did was fantastic but nothing they did was horrible either. That’s why they came out of the season with an 8-8 record.
They’ve made some odd moves along the offensive front this offseason, trading away key pieces and signing young players to absurd extensions. But with the young players this team has on offense and if Derek Carr continues to play at the level he did toward the end of last season, Vegas shouldn’t take a step back in the win column. Not saying they’ll be in the playoffs, but they shouldn’t regress.
Pick: OVER
Los Angeles Chargers, Win total: 9
The Chargers have a promising future ahead with Justin Herbert at the helm of the team. Still, he’ll be heading into his second NFL season with a new head coach, Brandon Staley. They have solid offensive weapons and a decent defense, but having to pick up an entire second offensive system in less than 12 months is a big ask for a young QB.
Pick: UNDER
Denver Broncos, Win total: 7.5
The Broncos were by far the worst team in the division last season, just earning five wins. Looking at the schedule this season, it probably won’t get much easier having to face off with KC and Oakland twice. They don’t face a ton of other playoff teams from last season, but they do see teams that are still vastly better than they are in the Cowboys, Steelers, Washington as well as the Browns and Ravens who were in the playoffs.
Pick: UNDER
OTL’S Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Chiefs 14-3
2. Raiders 10-7
3. Chargers 9-8
3. Broncos 6-11