Breaking down 2020 AFC West odds to make playoffs

DraftKings Sportsbook has gone ahead and released the odds for each team to earn a playoff berth at the end of the 2020 season. The most significant part of NFL free agency is wrapped up, and while there are still some big names left to sign, much of the NFL is focusing on the upcoming NFL Draft. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at each team’s odds to make the 2021 NFL playoffs — breaking it down by division. Today, we look at the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs: Yes (-1115), No (+675)

Don’t bet against the Chiefs making the playoffs. They’re returning reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, and Damien Williams. They also brought back Chris Jones by franchise tagging him and look like the team to beat in 2020. Kansas City should benefit from a weakening division. It has has stability while Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Denver are still trying to figure things out.

Los Angeles Chargers: Yes (+180), No (-225)

The Chargers finished last in the division with a 5-11 record last year, but have the enough talent to be a playoff team in 2020. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are capable wide receivers and Hunter Henry is one of the game’s best young tight ends. The there’s Austin Ekeler, who ran for 554 yards and nearly totaled 1,000 receiving yards last season while reaching the end zone 11 times last season. Los Angeles’ quarterback situation needs to be addressed after losing Philip Rivers. Tyrod Taylor is the starter for now, but a rookie could be under center by Week 1.

Denver Broncos: Yes (+180), No (-230)

The Broncos’ odds are to make the playoffs are even with the Chargers’, but Los Angeles seems more likely to make the postseason. Drew Lock should improve in his second pro season and gained a solid running back in Melvin Gordon to pair with Phillip Lindsay in the backfield. But Denver needs a lot of work at wide receiver if they want to keep up with the offensive talent of the Chargers and Chiefs.

Las Vegas Raiders: Yes (+238), No (-305)

Although the Raiders improved considerably in 2019 and posted a 7-9 record, they have the worst chances to make the postseason among the AFC West teams. They still need to to add a true WR1 to make the passing game more of a threat. But they do have one of the league’s best young running backs in Josh Jacobs and a tight end in Darren Waller that’s coming off a career year. Whether Marcus Mariota can challenge Derek Carr for the starting quarterback job will be a storyline to follow throughout the season, but Las Vegas also needs to make upgrades on defense.

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