Top AFC Future Picks for 2023
Best Bets to Win the AFC Conference in the 2023 NFL Season
Picking who will win the AFC this season is one of those things that looks easier on paper than it really is. We might think we have a handle on things, with Kansas City winning it last year for the third time in four years, along with Buffalo and Cincinnati being their two main threats in the conference. And yes, that is a big part of this story, as a discussion on the AFC without those three teams is no discussion at all, but it’s also important not to be swept away by the hype and recent memory while keeping an eye on some other possibilities.
At the same time, the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills are going to be a tough trio to beat for teams looking to break into the top of the AFC picture. Nothing a lot has happened to these teams’ rosters to change much, and while the Chiefs have some glory upon which to rest their laurels, the Bengals are hungry to push through after making consecutive AFC title games. In contrast, Buffalo only has a 2020 appearance in the AFC Championship to show for the last several seasons. So other than KC, the top of the conference is still hungry for real success. Let’s break down the best bets to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVIII. (All Odds by Bovada).
Top Picks to Win the AFC Conference This Season
Kansas City Chiefs (+325): You can site the potential for a Super Bowl Hangover or any notion that suggests recent success will render the Chiefs a less-urgent squad in 2023. It just might not work, as the Chiefs have not rested on their laurels at any point during this run. It would be a sudden and inexplicable slide for a team that has won the AFC West every year since 2016. Patrick Mahomes will be just 28 this season, so he’s not slowing down anytime soon. The defending Super Bowl Champions do have a division that could be stronger in a conference of hungry contenders. And the betting value is less-than-great, perhaps, but still, a +325 quote on this team might not feel so bad when you see the Chiefs once again mowing teams down on their way to what should be another deep playoff run.
Buffalo Bills (+500): If looking to bet on what is “due,” this bet might make the most sense on the board. We’ve seen Josh Allen and Company make immense strides in the last several seasons, becoming a true contender in this conference. But without the results to really show for it, going just 0-1 in their lone AFC title game appearance, one should expect a real push for the Bills. Not that the window is closing, but this is a time to cash in. They’d like to see Josh Allen maybe take that next small step, and with the core they have on both sides of the ball, one should resist the urge to not account fully for Buffalo in 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals (+550): Consecutive AFC title game appearances confirm that the Bengals are for real and aren’t going to melt away suddenly. Joe Burrow, along with his electric receiver corps, aren’t going to disappear this season. A sixth-ranked defense means they’re a complete squad, one that won’t be easy to topple this season. After being close the last few years, one should expect a hungry Bengals squad to be pushing hard in 2023. If the defense keeps coming around and the offense continues to deliver, along with Burrow seeming to have a great postseason flair, the Bengals figure to be in this equation for the foreseeable future.
New York Jets (+750): Considering how good the Jets looked last season despite no real answers at the quarterback position and a seemingly-unending stream of injury setbacks, some better fortune this season could see them in the thick of things. Aaron Rodgers looks to snap this offense into shape with his veteran stewardship, and with some nice pieces in place, including two dynamic rookies from last season in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, along with some fine young pieces on the other side of the ball, the Jets should be making a push in 2023. One of the better candidates to come around ahead of schedule, with the arrival of the aging Rodgers expediting the urgency to see this culminate.
Baltimore Ravens (+1100): With Lamar Jackson signed and the addition of some firepower, maybe we see the Ravens return to the role of real contenders. Getting rookie Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham to go with rising Rashod Bateman and top TE Mark Andrews gives Jackson some real weapons, along with a pretty deep backfield. Of equal promise is a defense that has consistently finished in the top ten year after year. If Jackson can stay healthy and benefit from an enhanced offense, along with seeing the “D” hit the higher end of their ceiling in 2023, we could see the Ravens hit the ground running this season.
New York Jets (+750): Considering how good the Jets looked last season despite no real answers at the quarterback position and a seemingly-unending stream of injury setbacks, some better fortune this season could see them in the thick of things. Aaron Rodgers looks to snap this offense into shape with his veteran stewardship, and with some nice pieces in place, including two dynamic rookies from last season in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, along with some fine young pieces on the other side of the ball, the Jets should be making a push in 2023. One of the better candidates to come around ahead of schedule, with the arrival of the aging Rodgers expediting the urgency to see this culminate.
Baltimore Ravens (+1100): With Lamar Jackson signed and the addition of some firepower, maybe we see the Ravens return to the role of real contenders. Getting rookie Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham to go with rising Rashod Bateman and top TE Mark Andrews gives Jackson some real weapons, along with a pretty deep backfield. Of equal promise is a defense that has consistently finished in the top ten year after year. If Jackson can stay healthy and benefit from an enhanced offense, along with seeing the “D” hit the higher end of their ceiling in 2023, we could see the Ravens hit the ground running this season.
Miami Dolphins (+1100): While seeing Tua Tagovailoa battle with concussions last season left a lasting impression, it was hard to not also notice some good things happening to this Miami team. Mike McDaniel has seen his vision start to manifest and if they find a way to better insulate Tua, it’s hard to not be at least a little excited. The backfield is deep and productive. The addition of Tyreek Hill was huge and with Jaylen Waddle, they have a giant 1-2 punch. With Bradley Chubb, Christian Wilkins, and Jaelan Phillips on “D” they have a lot of menace, likely bolstered by the addition of Jalen Ramsey. Granted, we don’t want our AFC action to be too heavily-concentrated in the AFC East, but it’s a division that looks to figure into this conference equation in 2023.
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