AFC Championship Odds
Can anyone stop the New England Patriots from advancing to another Super Bowl by winning the AFC Championship?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the New England Patriots are the clear favorite to win AFC, as they are getting 2/3 odds. Other short odds to win are the Pittsburgh Steelers (12/5), the Kansas City Chiefs (8/1) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (10/1). The Bills are listed with 60/1 odds while the Titans have 65/1 odds.
The Patriots have the top seed in the AFC after posting a 13-3 record. They had the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL and top offense in the AFC with 458 points. Their +162 point differential was tied for best in the league as well. Tom Brady may earn another MVP honor as he threw for 4,577 yards with 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Pats have won the AFC Championship nine times in franchise history.
The Steelers are coming into the postseason 13-3 as well, putting them second in the AFC. The Steelers put up 406 points this year while allowing 308. Antonio Brown has caught 101 passes for 1,533 yards and nine touchdowns this year. He, however, is dealing with a calf injury that may not be fully healed entering the postseason. Pittsburgh has won eight conference championships in franchise history, the last coming in 2010.
The Jaguars are a surprise team in the playoffs this year after going 10-6 and winning the AFC South to earn the third seed. Jacksonville allowed the fewest points in the NFL this season, giving up just 268. They scored 417 as a team. Calais Campbell led the defense with 14.5 sacks and the team had 55 sacks with 21 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries. Rookie Leonard Fournette rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns on the offensive end. Jacksonville has never won a conference title.
The Chiefs are the fourth seed in the AFC after going 10-6. KC started 5-0, then lost six of seven before ending on a four-game win streak. KC put up 415 points this season while allowing 339. Rookie Kareem Hunt put up 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns rushing while also catching 53 passes for 455 yards and three scores. Alex Smith threw for 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns. The Chiefs have never won the conference championship.