AFC West Odds to Win the Super Bowl: 2011 Super Bowl XLV Odds to Win

Here are some of my thoughts on the new “Odds to Win Super Bowl XLV”. I’m breaking it down into each division and dropping my thoughts over the next couple weeks. I hope you enjoy and get down with the breakdown.

AFC West
Denver Broncos (50-1)
Kansas City Chiefs (100-1)
Oakland Raiders (100-1)
San Diego Chargers (8-1)

At 50-1, the Broncos aren’t the worst chance you could take – but no, I don’t think they have it in them. That means, that, despite a poor payout for the chance you’re taking, the Chargers are the best bet from this division.

Denver Broncos (50-1): So apparently this is the worst division in football, or so the oddsmakers think, even the pathetic NFC West has better odds (all around) to find Super Bowl glory – and that’s saying something. This division has 258 odds against compared to 225 in the NFC West. But at 50-1, I kind of like what the Broncos are selling. All the talk about Marshall gone might very well be for not, as I think things might figure themselves out and the talented kid might end up getting paid as a Bronco. Defensively, they has solid schemes last year, and played way above what people expected, but some free agents and the loss of their defensive coordinator brings on more questions than answers. I think the chances are very low, but this team has some good players and a strong team concept – so I’m tellin’ you there’s a chance.

Kansas City Chiefs (100-1): I don’t know if I even need to mention the Chiefs. It looks like Matt Cassel doesn’t have a good enough arm to run Todd Haley’s offense, and I know that defense isn’t good enough or talented enough to win a playoff game, let alone four of them (because there’s no way they are getting a bye). Freaky stuff can happen, and this team might ride their late-year rushing success to a higher number of wins than expected, in a pretty blah division, maybe even the playoffs if the moons are really crazy, but a Super Bowl, please. I think the Raiders have a better shot.

Oakland Raiders (100-1): Okay, so maybe the Raiders aren’t as bad as I pretend. The problem is they have a clown on batteries running the team, and chances of that turning into Super Bowl success just isn’t realistic. I still think they have a solid offensive line and a defense that is better than advertised. Good enough to win a Super Bowl? Don’t get silly. So I guess 100-1 is a good enough payout, good enough to stay away from regardless.

San Diego Chargers (8-1): Listen, people want to blame it all on LT and his age, but the truth of the matter is, this offensive line just isn’t what it used to be. I don’t know why, for sure, they have solid players, but holes weren’t bursting like they used to. The Passing game, however, was and will be legit as long as Rivers is at the helm. He may throw marshmallows, but they are thrown very accurately and with all the confidence in the world. Defensively, I’m not sure how much I buy in. This team has lots of decisions to make on that side of the ball, and it will be interesting to see if they can get their explosive playmaking back from a couple years ago. Right now, I don’t know if they have enough. These Chargers aren’t my favorite low payout Super Bowl favorite, but they certainly have a chance.