The 2015/16 NFL season will be kicking off shortly and now’s a good time to take a look at all 32 teams and the eight divisions as well as the current bet365 odds of each club winning the Super Bowl. The games get underway on September 10 and the regular season wraps up next January 3. The postseason begins January 9 with the Super Bowl taking place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7. Bettors should remember to check team lineups before making their wagers since rosters may change before the season kicks off due to injuries.
Here’s a quick look at the AFC West, led by the Denver Broncos:
NFL Betting Preview – AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
- 2014 Record: 12-4
- Predicted 2015/16 finish: 11-5-first place
- Odds of winning Super Bowl: 12/1
- Gary Kubiak takes over as head coach in Denver and there’s been a lot of changes for a 12-4 team. The Broncos are hoping rookie Ty Sambrailo is ready for the NFL at left tackle since regular Ryan Clady tore his ACL and is out for the year. Sambralio was taken from Colorado State in the second round and could be a key player. The offensive line has undergone a bit of an overhaul, but quarterback Peyton Manning is still there to lead the offense even though he slowed down at the end of last season. The defense isn’t as solid though, but the Broncos should have no problem reaching the playoffs again. Manning will miss Julius Thomas as a red-zone target as the free agent headed to Jacksonville. Look for wide receiver Cody Latimer to pick things up this year as veteran Wes Welker wasn’t re-signed.
Key newcomers:
- Vance Walker (defensive tackle)
- Ty Sambrailo (guard)
- Shelley Smith (guard)
- Darian Stewart (safety)
- Antonio Smith (defensive end)
- Shane Ray (outside linebacker)
- James Casey (tight end)
- Owen Daniels (tight end)
- Ryan Harris (offensive tackle)
Key losses:
- Terrance Knighton (defensive tackle)
- Julius Thomas (tight end)
- Rahim Moore (safety)
- Nate Irving (linebacker)
- Orlando Franklin (offensive tackle)
- Will Montgomery (center)
- Mitch Unrein (defensive tackle)
- Jacob Tamme (tight end)
San Diego Chargers
- 2014 Record: 9-7
- Predicted 2015/16 finish: 10-6 second place
- Odds of winning Super Bowl: 33/1
- San Diego’s number of sacks has headed south three years in a row and the team was ranked number 29 with just 26 last season. they’re hoping outside linebackers Jerry Attaochu and Melvin Ingram can help turn this trend around as long as Ingram can stay healthy. Rookie Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin should help the team’s strong and the team’s front seven will hopefully pressure opposing quarterbacks as a way to create chances for the secondary. The offensive line needs to pick up the pace this year and the cornerback position is a question mark. Fans should expect to see tight end Ladarius Green have a breakout year. He should start while Antonio Gates sits out a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Key newcomers:
- Denzel Perryman (linebacker)
- Jacoby Jones (wide receiver/kick returner)
- Patrick Robinson (cornerback)
- Melvin Gordon (running back)
- Stevie Johnson (wide receiver)
- Orlando Franklin (guard)
Key losses:
- Marcus Gilchrist (safety)
- Ryan Mathews (running back)
- Eddie Royal (wide receiver)
- Michael Huey (guard)
- Seyi Ajirotutu (wide receiver)
- Reggie Walker (linebacker)
- Andrew Gachkar (linebacker)
Kansas City Chiefs
- 2014 Record: 9-7
- Predicted 2015/16 finish: 8-8 third place
- Odds of winning Super Bowl: 28/1
- The Chiefs’ offensive line should see some competition for the right guard and center positions. Eric Kush could replace Rodney Hudson, who left for Oakland while Zach Fulton, Paul Fanaika and Jeff Allen will battle it out for the right guard spot with Mitch Morse being an outside chance. Whoever starts, the unit should be better than last year’s edition. Kansas boasts a good defense and running game and free -agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is a good addition. Outside linebacker Dee Ford looks like he’s ready for a breakout year. The team’s quickness and speed should see them into the playoffs as long as quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles play up to par. Nose tackle Dontari Poe recently had back surgery and his status is unclear.
Key newcomers:
- Paul Fanaika (offensive guard)
- Jeremy Maclin (wide receiver)
- Tyvon Branch (safety)
- Jason Avant (wide receiver)
- Ben Grubbs (guard)
- Marcus Peters (cornerback)
Key losses:
- Anthony Fasano (tight end)
- Dwayne Bowe (wide receiver)
- Jeff Linkenbach (offensive tackle)
- Mike McGlynn (offensive guard)
- Ryan Harris (offensive tackle)
- Rodney Hudson (center)
- Vance Walker (defensive tackle)
- Kevin Vickerson (defensive end)
- Joe Mays (linebacker)
- Kurt Coleman (safety)
- Chris Owens (cornerback)
Oakland Raiders
- 2014 Record: 3-13
- Predicted 2015/16 finish: 5-11 fourth place
- Odds of winning Super Bowl: 175/1
- After a 3-13 season it’s no surprise the Raiders made numerous player moves. The team is hoping cornerback C J Hayden can develop into a top player under new head coach Jack Del Rio as he battles Keith McGill when it comes to the starting position alongside T.J. Carrie. The Raiders’ secondary isn’t that deep, so they need to stay healthy. The team has a good player in outside linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr should be better. Oakland added a good mixture of youth and experience and will need to produce to post their first winning record in a dozen years. It probably won’t happen this season though.
Key newcomers:
- Amari Cooper (wide receiver)
- Rodney Hudson (center)
- Michael Crabtree (wide receiver)
- Dan Williams (defensive tackle)
- Roy Helu (running back)
- Curtis Lofton (linebacker)
- Malcolm Smith (linebacker)
- Nate Allen (safety)
- Christian Ponder (quarterback)
- Kris Durham (wide receiver)
- Trindon Holliday (wide receiver)
- Lee Smith (tight end)
- Trent Richardson (running back)
- J’Marcus Webb (offensive tackle)
Key losses:
- Denarius Moore (wide receiver)
- Stefen Wisniewski (center)
- LaMarr Woodley (defensive end)
- Antonio Smith (defensive tackle)
- Pat Sims (defensive tackle)
- Darren McFadden (running back)
- Matt Schaub (quarterback)
- Tyvon Branch (safety)
- Vincent Brown (wide receiver)