We take a look at some teams to fade to win the AFC Championship at their current odds.
Super Bowl 56 is in the rearview mirror, but it's not too early to start speculating who will represent both conferences next February at Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, AZ.
While a lot of attention will be paid to which AFC team may head to Super Bowl 57, we're going to look at some of the teams you might want to stay away from. Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
AFC Championship Odds 2022: Teams That Faded
Cincinnati Bengals (+650)
Making back-to-back conference championship games is extremely difficult, they have little to do with winning, and the Bengals will have a rough road to travel if they want to go back to the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs (+400) and Buffalo Bills (+400) have high chances to make it back, while a healthy Baltimore Ravens team (+1000) will be gunning for them in their division.
It also doesn't mention the fact that the team would need to make major changes to its offensive line to protect Joe Burrows, who was sacked repeatedly during his magical run in Super Bowl 56. Playoff contenders in 2022? Absolutely. AFC Championship contender? stay away.
Denver Broncos (+1100)
The Broncos have the fifth-largest margin to knock the Super Bowl out of the AFC, and this is most likely in line with the assumption that the team will acquire Aaron Rodgers in the off-season. Even if the four-time NFL MVP trades his green and yellow jerseys for orange and blue, he will still have to deal with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in his own division. And let's not forget that Denver dealt with Von Miller midway through the 2021 campaign.
If Rodgers comes to town it may be tempting to bet on the Broncos but it would be wiser to stay away.