Which AFC Teams Have the Best Shot to Win the Conference in 2023?

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The talk of the NFL world, after pulling off a blockbuster trade for four-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers, are the New York Jets.

Despite the fact that the Jets have the longest playoff drought of any team in the four major sports—they haven’t been to the postseason since 2010 and haven’t won or been to a Super Bowl since 1969–they have become media darlings because of the presence of Rodgers.

Empire State oddsmakers at NY Bet have fallen all over the Jets as well. They are just 8-1 to win the AFC this year, the fourth shortest odds on the board and 14-1 to win the Super Bowl, the sixth shortest odds on the board.

It’s not going to happen. Stay away from the hype. The Jets are not winning the Super Bowl, because they’re not getting to the Super Bowl. They’re not even going to win the AFC East, because they are not better than Buffalo.

Making the playoffs and ending that 12-year drought isn’t going to be easy. The Jets schedule features six tough games in the division against the Bills, Dolphins—two playoff teams from a year ago—and the Patriots, who currently own a 12-game winning streak over the Jets.

Outside of the division the Jets must face both Super Bowl teams from 2022—Kansas City and Philadelphia. The Jets have never beaten the Eagles (0-12). They also face the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and rival Giants, all three were playoff teams a year ago.

While we’re heavily fading the Jets, here are some teams we do like in the AFC in 2023.

Kansas City is the favorite to win both the AFC (+375) and the Super Bowl (+600) as per BetRivers NY promo. But it’s hard to repeat and you probably want better value. 

Cincinnati, who got to the Super Bowl two years ago and just missed last year at +575 to win the conference and +950 to win its first-ever Super Bowl.

Baltimore, at +975, isn’t a bad bet to win the conference, either. The Ravens came to terms on a long-term deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Now, if they can keep him healthy they might have a shot to upset both the Bengals and Chiefs. 

Another off-the-board play is Houston to win AFC South at +600. The Texans made a great hire in head coach DeMeco Ryans, signed a few key free agents and had a good draft. Every year one team goes from last place to first place: this year, it could be the Texans.

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