With the draft now in the rearview mirror, teams in the NFL will now be looking ahead to the start of training camp, which is still a few months off. We don’t really know how things will look once fall rolls around, but for now, teams are still planning for things to start as normal. It is going to be interesting to see how the drafted players fit into their new teams and whether or not they will make an immediate impact. We can now look at the strengths and weaknesses of every team in the NFL and have an idea of their chances in the coming season. Let’s get started by looking at the favorites to win the AFC Championship this coming season.
AFC Championship Odds After 2020 Draft
Kansas City Chiefs
- AFC Championship Odds: +300
Given that the Chiefs are coming into this season as the defending champions, it makes sense that they would currently be the favorites to win the AFC this season. While KC did address some of their needs via the draft, there are still some questions to be asked of their secondary. That aside, this is a team that is still absolutely stacked on the offensive side of the football. They are more than deserving of being the favorites once again this season.
Baltimore Ravens
- AFC Championship Odds: +325
The Ravens ended last regular season on a 12-game winning streak that took them to 14-2 on the year. The feeling was that they would continue to roll in the playoffs, but for the second straight season, Lamar Jackson and company failed to get the job done in the postseason, falling at the first hurdle. There is no doubt that the Ravens will be strong again this season, but are they built to get the job done in the playoffs?
New England Patriots
- AFC Championship Odds: +1000
You have to admit that it is a little surprising to see the New England Patriots in as one of the favorites to win the AFC this season. They have dominated the conference for the past 15 years or so, but with Tom Brady now plying his trade in Tampa, there is a huge hole that needs to be filled. Jarrett Stidham will be the man under center, and while the Patriots drafted well as always, the absence of Brady looms large. I think they are a longshot to win the AFC.
Buffalo Bills
- AFC Championship Odds: +1000
If any team is primed to take over from the Patriots in the NFC East, it would be the Buffalo Bills. They challenged the Patriots all the way last season, finishing the year at 10-6, which was enough to get them into the Wild Card. The Bills got to work prior to the draft, picking up WR Stefon Diggs, who will be a much-needed weapon on the offensive side of the football. The Bills drafted well and look like a good bet to nab the division, although a conference crown still looks like a bit of a reach.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC Championship Odds: +1000
You could look at the Steelers 8-8 record last season and see them as having taken a backward step, but they were absolutely hammered by injuries at the skill positions. Most weeks, they were forced to dog deep into the depth chart to field a team, yet they still managed to win 8 games. The Steelers defense is young and hungry, and with another solid, if unspectacular, draft, Pittsburgh looks primed for a bounce back season.
