2022 NFL AFC Division Futures: Are Chiefs, Bengals, Colts and Titans Set to Repeat as Champs?

Dan Favale
By , Updated on: Apr 9, 2024 08:00 PM
2022 NFL AFC Division Futures: Are Chiefs, Bengals, Colts and Titans Set to Repeat as Champs?

Why, no, you're not lost. It really is time for some 2022 NFL AFC division futures.

Sure, it might seem like just yesterday that the Los Angeles Rams were being crowned Super Bowl champions. Believe it or not, though, the 2022 regular season is fast approaching. And that means the best sites for NFL betting are laying odds on everything from win totals to conference and Super Bowl picks. They also happen to have odds on which NFL team will win each AFC division. This seems like a good time to tackle those, especially since last year's division champs—Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans—are all in the running to win their four-team subsets yet again.

Our exercise in NFL AFC division futures will begin with the AFC East. Here are the latest odds to win the 2022 AFC East, courtesy of BetOnline:

Pick to WinBetOnline
Buffalo Bills-185
New England Patriots+450
Miami Dolphiins+450
New York Jets+2000

Continue to check these odds on the NFL right up until you actually place your bet. Division champions are crowned at the end of the regular season, in December 2022, and our AFC betting odds are accurate entering Wednesday, July 20.

If you're looking for a spot to invest in NFL AFC division futures, we've got you covered—and then some. Our reviews of the top online sportsbooks are designed to help you spot the best football betting sites in 2022. To the NFL Prediction Machine!

2022 NFL Division Futures: Buffalo Poised to Repeat as AFC East Champs

Many sites have the Bills (-185) listed as the Super Bowl favorites, so it comes as no surprise that they have a commanding hold on the AFC East odds. In fact, they are laying the best odds of any team in the AFC to win their division.

Investing in a squad that doesn't pay out even money so early into the process can be risky. Anything can happen over the course of an 18-week NFL season. But the Bills seem like one of the NFL's safest bets. They return a stingy defense, along with an offensive core featuring MVP candidate Josh Allen and star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

What's more, Buffalo's competition in the AFC East isn't all that steep. The New York Jets (+2000) should once again be bad, and the New England Patriots (+450) don't have the offensive firepower in place to be considered trustworthy. The Miami Dolphins (+450) are somewhat interesting after picking up Tyreek Hill over the offseason, but there's not a lot of depth on the roster.

Take the Bills to win the AFC running away.

OSB Prediction: Buffalo Bills (-185)

Buffalo Bills To win the 2022 AFC East Division
-185
BetOnline

2022 NFL Division Futures: The Bengals Should be Wary of Ravens in AFC North

Here are the latest betting odds to win the 2022 AFC North division:

Pick to WinBetOnline
Baltimore Ravens+160
Cincinnati Bengals+180
Cleveland Browns+280
Pittsburgh Steelers+950

This is a great opportunity to jump on the Baltimore Ravens (+160). They may be the favorites, but they're laying much better than even money. We don't believe it will stay this way for long.

Sure, as long as the Cincinnati Bengals (+180) remain a viable threat, oddsmakers won't move these lines too much. But we expect the Bengals to regress off last year's torrid pace. 

Baltimore, meanwhile, still has star quarterback Lamar Jackson. He might officially be underrated. There is no overstating how much progress he's made as a passer. Combine that with a dangerous play-action and on-the-ground game, and he is a walking top-10 offense unto himself.

OSB Prediction: Baltimore Ravens (+160)

Buffalo Bills To win the 2022 AFC North Division
+160
BetOnline

2022 NFL Division Futures: Pounce on the Chiefs in the AFC West

Here are the latest betting odds to win the 2022 AFC North division:

Pick to WinBetOnline
Kansas City Chiefs+155
Los Angeles Chargers+240
Denver Broncos+260
Las Vegas Raiders+700

The Chiefs (+155) paying out better than even money in the AFC West is truly a gift. Take advantage of it. Now.

Oddsmakers seem way too high on the Los Angeles Chargers (+240) and Denver Broncos (+260). Yes, quarterback Justin Herbert has been MVP-caliber for the Chargers, but we still aren't confident in their pass rush and secondary holding up for an entire season. The Broncos made a ton of noise by acquiring superstar QB Russell Wilson, but they've yet to surround him with enough passing weapons to maximize his window.

Some are worried about the Chiefs losing Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. We aren't that concerned. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the engine that drives the offense, and Kansas City has tight end Travis Kelce as a go-to option through the air.

OSB Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs (+155)

Kansas City Chiefs To win the 2022 AFC North Division
+155
BetOnline

2022 NFL Division Futures: The Titans are Undervalued in the AFC South

Here are the latest betting odds to win the 2022 AFC South division:

Pick to WinBetOnline
Indianapolis Colts-155
Tennessee Titans+160
Jacksonville Jaguars+750
Houston Texans+2500

Though we understand the appeal of a rising Indianapolis Colts (-155) team built around bulldozing runs and a physical defense, we also don't think they deserve ultra-favorite status. It isn't yet clear how much prime football the newly acquired Matt Ryan has left him in under center, and the Colts also don't have a true No. 1 option at wide receiver or tight end.

Tennessee remains far more appealing to us. Their passing attack underachieved last season, but that only means there's plenty of room for them to improve. And so long as running back Derrick Henry is healthy, they don't need more than mediocre production through the air to rattle off another AFC South championship.

OSB Prediction: Tennessee Titans (+160)

Tennessee Titans To win the 2022 AFC South Division
+160
BetOnline

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your 2022 NFL betting:

Meet the author

Dan Favale

Dan Favale leverages over 12 years of sports journalism expertise in his role as New York staff writer. He provides in-depth analysis across the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, tennis, NASCAR, college basketball, and sports betting. Dan co-hosts the popular Hardwood Knocks NBA podc...

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