NFL Futures Picks: AFC Conference Winner Best Bets (2023)
The first Sunday after the Super Bowl is always one of the toughest days of the entire year. But the best way to overcome the loss of football is to start thinking about next season’s futures!
Of course, future bets made in February are often the biggest dart throws. And sure, you may not be ready to take an NFL future in February. However, you can take advantage of the uncertainty that comes with betting in February. Say a team you’re interested in has a massive offseason. Their odds come April or May won’t be as good as they are now. Sometimes, buying early can pay off big.
That said, let’s discuss some teams I’m eyeing to win the loaded AFC.
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Early AFC Conference Winner Best Bets
(All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Chargers (11/1)
Brandon Staley has made me look like a fool before. Yet here I am, recommending you take a flyer on the Chargers to win the entire AFC.
The fact is neither Kansas City (+330), Buffalo (+400) or Cincinnati (+550) offer much value. Los Angeles has the fourth-best odds, and I’m convinced they could’ve made a run in the AFC playoffs had they not gagged against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round.
Of course, betting on the Chargers puts your hopes into a team that only screws up in the biggest stages. But I’m hoping Kellen Moore can help Justin Herbert and this offense reach a level that the unit couldn’t get to under Joe Lombardi, who was one of the league’s worst coordinators a season ago.
Staley’s defense has the talent on the perimeter and just needs to improve up the middle. The Chargers don’t have much cap space, but they have all seven draft picks, including the 21st overall. Los Angeles has the QB to go to the Super Bowl. It’s just a matter of whether Staley can stay out of his way.
Denver Broncos (17/1)
I know, I know, I know. The Denver Broncos were perhaps the most overhyped team in NFL history. But I really do believe Nathaniel Hackett was that awful. And I’m trusting Russell Wilson hasn’t fallen off a cliff.
The Broncos still have a very strong defense, one that finished 10th in DVOA. The expectation is that Sean Payton can resurrect an offense that does have some talent. We’ll know immediately how much of this season’s fiasco was predicated on the coaching staff.
Indianapolis Colts (80/1)
I’m mentioning the Colts because this number seems astronomically high to me. This was a team many thought could make a run just a year ago. Now, Matt Ryan was clearly washed up. And Indy’s offensive line fell apart around him. But the defense finished 14th in DVOA, and the Colts have playmakers in Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr.
Despite last year’s mess, GM Chris Ballard has built a strong roster, one that’s capable of winning now. Under new head coach Shane Steichen, there’s certainly a shot that Indianapolis is this year’s version of Minnesota. The Colts just have to find a quarterback for me to believe.
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