AFC Championship Odds

The AFC consists of 16 teams, all competing for the American National Conference Championship trophy. Established after the NFL-AFL merger in the early 1970s, the Conference Championship stands as a route to the Super Bowl, with winners of the affair proceeding to the NFL’s most prestigious fixture. 

Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs are the team to beat in 2023/24. A win over the Cincinnati Bengals during last year’s AFC Championship game pronounced the Chiefs as conference champions — a feat achieved by the club in three of the previous four campaigns.

This guide provides an in-depth look at the favorites, the latest betting odds, team-specific tips, AFC Championship predictions, and which players to keep an eye on in the lead-up to the big game. Feel free to compare AFC Championship odds at various sportsbooks by reviewing this page and follow the links to create a free account with any of our recommended sites.

Favorites to Win the AFC Championship

It’s very early in the 2023/24 season, with plenty of football to be played between now and the final AFC Championship matchup. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to rate and rank the favorites before the NFL Playoffs.

The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs are favorites to win the AFC Championship trophy. The pair started the year with five wins apiece, one defeat, and a combined 300+ points – placing both sides at the top of sportsbooks’ odds for the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas. 

See below for a close look at the top-four teams expected to win the AFC Championship title.

Kansas City Chiefs

Arrowhead Stadium has seen much success in recent years. The current state of affairs represents a vastly different situation compared to the suffering endured by fans of yesteryear, with the Chiefs winning their first AFC Championship game in 2019/20. 

For head coach Andy Reid, it’s been nothing but silverware ever since. Two Super Bowl triumphs in four NFL seasons and seven AFC West titles on the bounce have made Kansas one of the teams to beat — and for good reason. Bolstered by talents like Travis Kelce and the ever-impeccable Patrick Mahomes — as well as a passionate fan base — the Chiefs look good for another appearance in the AFC’s ultimate fixture. 

Buffalo Bills

Playing in the AFC East is never easy. Facing off against the might of this year’s Miami Dolphins and the unpredictability of the New York Jets makes for a rough ride, but Bills supporters are made of tough stuff.

Naming the same coach for the last seven seasons has helped galvanize the squad. Sean McDermott is now a veteran head coach, boasting a personal positive winning record since moving to Buffalo. This season, he’s striving to take the Bills where they’ve failed to go for almost three decades, the Super Bowl. He’ll first need to clinch the Lamar Hunt Trophy to reach that target — if quarterback Josh Allen can continue his trajectory toward the top of the NFL’s MVP rankings, the Bills certainly have a chance. 

Baltimore Ravens

In spite of adversity, the Ravens remain a contender for the AFC North and Conference championships. Injuries hit the team hard at the start of the regular season, knocking multiple players out of contention. Regardless, John Harbaugh’s men have shown incredible resolve to fight back and battle for the playoffs. 

A first AFC Championship outing for 10 years is on the cards but only if Lamar Jackson continues his recent run of good form. An injury to the 26-year-old could kill off any hope of making the playoffs, never mind the AFC final. 

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are enjoying a resurgence in 2023. As the NFL’s top scorers and packing a resolute defense, Mike McDaniel’s squad seems a fantastic option for bettors looking to wager on the AFC Championship Playoff. 

After scraping a positive winning record last time out — going 9-8 — the Hard Rock Stadium-based side batted away almost all opposition during the first quarter of 2023/24. Tua Tagovailoa is a major reason for the side’s fruitful results thus far — throwing for more yards than anyone else by Week 7. He’s odds-on for the MVP award this year, and an AFC Championship victory would only benefit his chances of winning.

Other Potential AFC Championship Winners

AFC South leaders, the Jacksonville Jaguars, deserve a mention as outsiders for the AFC Championship. Although playing in the weakest division within the conference, the Trent Baalke-managed side should get credit for winning all of their opening four away fixtures – including both London games. 

And if not for a season-ending injury to quarterback Anthony Richardson, we’d throw the Indianapolis Colts into the mix. Instead, our second pick is a New York-based underdog.

The Jets

Most sports betting sites have the Jets way down on the list of favorites for the AFC Championship. They’re without Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson started the NFL season poorly, and a crushing defeat to the Patriots gave their opponents a first win of the season in Week 2 — allowing New England to go 1-5 by Week 6. 

However, Zach Wilson’s recent displays have been positive, Aaron Rodgers could make a return sooner than expected, and Robert Saleh’s side ended the Eagles’ unbeaten record by fighting back from the clutches of defeat. Perhaps they’ll struggle to become NFL champions, but there’s a story to be told here.

AFC Championship Betting Tips

Improve your chances of making successful AFC Championship predictions by following a list of helpful betting tips. This advice is designed to guide you toward an informed decision — and we encourage readers to refer to this page when researching NFL odds and wagers. 

Home advantage counts – All four recent AFC Championship games have been played at Arrowhead Stadium, with the Chiefs winning three of those games. Don’t underestimate the power of home support. 

Be aware of injuries – When a crucial player is ruled out through injury, his team becomes weaker — and sportsbooks’ pricing reflects as much. This is evidenced by the NFL odds associated with the Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ early season exit. 

Playoff history – Momentum is everything in football. There’s a reason some teams like the recent Chiefs squads boast a fantastic playoff record. They’ve been there, and they’ve done it. 

Watch the regular season games – There’s no better context for placing a bet than watching a game with your own eyes. Check out the regular season fixtures for a pre-playoff look at how teams performed for an extended period. 

Gamble responsibly – Mitigate the risk of losing money by utilizing responsible gambling features like bet limits and deposit caps to enjoy a healthier relationship with betting when the playoffs come around. If you feel you have a gambling problem, please refer to our responsible gambling pages.

Review team statistics – Sneak a clever over/under or prop bet by examining teams’ and players’ form throughout the season. Does a team tend to score late in the game? Is a particular individual more effective in the first half? Is the defensive lineup vulnerable against a certain type of offensive structure? 

Check out the NFL Draft – New players make for new possibilities. Watch the NFL Draft to see which highly-rated stars of tomorrow will join football’s elite league.

Examine offseason results – Results during the offseason are irrelevant — but individual performances could point to big seasons from certain players. 

AFC Championship Previous Winners

Founded following the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the AFC Championship is the final fixture before the Super Bowl. The game is played on the final Sunday in January, with this season’s event due to take place on the 28th. 

Bar the Houston Texans, each AFC participant has competed in a Conference Championship affair. At the other end of the spectrum, the New England Patriots have won more AFC Championship titles than any other side, on a mightily impressive 11. 

2018/19: New England Patriots

The AFC East champions beat the Chargers in the Divisional Playoffs after receiving a bye to advance to the second round. A meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs ensued, in a game dominated by veteran quarterback Tom Brady. In front of 77,000 spectators at Arrowhead Stadium, the Patriots ran out 37-31 victors. 

2019/20: Kansas City Chiefs

First-place finishes in the AFC East and conference meant the Chiefs could skip the Wild Card round, which led to a Divisional playoff meeting with the Texans. Victory in that affair saw Arrowhead Stadium host a second successive AFC Championship matchup in 2019/20, as the Chiefs took on the Tennessee Titans. Andy Reid’s players took the Lamar Hunt Trophy on that day — and later, the Super Bowl. 

2020/21: Cincinnati Bengals

A closely-fought AFC North division concluded with the Bengals above the Steelers, Browns, and Ravens — at 10-7 for the regular season. 2020/21 would turn out to be a historic campaign for Zac Taylor’s club, qualifying for the Super Bowl for the first time in more than three decades. An AFC Championship win over the Chiefs during overtime took Cincinnati to the NFL’s biggest event but defeat in that fixture now means it’s the journey through the AFC playoffs that’s remembered by supporters. 

2022/23: Kansas City Chiefs

Another AFC Championship finale, another Kansas City Chiefs appearance. By January 2022, the franchise was quickly becoming one of the most prominent playoff teams, seeing off the Jaguars to advance to the NFL semi-final. A close affair against last season’s opponents, the Bengals, ended in sweet revenge for the Chiefs — winning 23-20 during the campaign’s penultimate fixture.

Compare AFC Championship Odds and Sign Up

Optimism is key to every team’s AFC Championship adventure. Positivity is rife among fans and players in the AFC this year and it’s proven by the hotly-contested divisions across the nation. 

The team with the most energy, guile, togetherness, and belief will travel to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. First, however, they’ll need to eliminate the conference’s second-best side. 

Can the Chiefs repeat the success of last year? Will the Patriots make an unexpected return to form and acquire yet another AFC Championship trophy? Could the New York Jets bring glory back to MetLife in New Jersey? 

It’s all possible — and you can invest in your AFC Championship predictions by visiting Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and other popular betting sites. Just compare odds on this page and sign up for free as soon as you’re ready.

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