Jim Harbaugh And His Impact On The AFC West Futures

In 2023-24, the Kansas City Chiefs underperformed during the regular season but hit their stride in the playoffs, capturing the league’s ultimate prize for the third time in five years.

2023-24 AFC West Standings

• Kansas City Chiefs 11-6
• Las Vegas Raiders 8-9
• Denver Broncos 8-9
• Los Angeles Chargers 5-12

KC is the preseason favorite to win Super Bowl 59, and they are projected to become the AFC West Division champions. Anyone paying attention to professional football can see that the Chiefs are, at minimum, a letter grade better than anyone else in the division.

2024-25 AFC West Futures

• Kansas City Chiefs -310
• Los Angeles Chargers +380
• Las Vegas Raiders +900
• Denver Broncos +2200

These futures also reveal a surprising detail – the sudden emergence of the LA Chargers as a contender, thanks to the arrival of new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Kansas City Chiefs

Not many were betting on the Chiefs to win SB 58, but they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers en route to another title.

Regular Season Wins – Kansas City Chiefs

• Over 11.5 Wins -125
• Under 11.5 Wins -105

Unless Patrick Mahomes misses significant playing time, Kansas City should win the division by a couple of games and have it wrapped up early.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have lost a few key ingredients on the offense but upgraded at head coach by bringing Jim Harbaugh back to the NFL after a nine-year hiatus.

Regular Season Wins – Los Angeles Chargers

• Over 8.5 Wins -160
• Under 8.5 Wins +120

A change in philosophy appears to be enough to increase their win total by four, as the odds imply a strong likelihood of a 9-8 finish. Justin Herbert is a much higher caliber quarterback than Harbaugh usually has on his roster, so nine wins is a reasonable forecast considering the weak status of the AFC West.

Is there enough potential on the Chargers roster to win nine games? We think so.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have finally found their permanent home in Nevada, but the franchise hasn’t gained solid footing since terminating coach Jon Gruden in 2021.

Regular Season Wins – Las Vegas Raiders

• Over 6.5 Wins -145
• Under 6.5 Wins +110

More struggles are ahead, and while these NFL futures strongly suggest seven or more wins, we’re confidently betting on the under. Vegas made the correct move in staring Gardner Minshew at quarterback over Aidan O’Connell, giving the Raiders a better chance at clearing the seven-win mark.

Denver Broncos

Rookie Bo Nix will be under center for the first snap of Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. After a two-year experiment with Russell Wilson, the Broncos are rebuilding and getting Nix some experience.

Regular Season Wins – Denver Broncos

• Over 5.5 Wins -180
• Under 5.5 Wins +135

Sean Payton hopes to build a winner in the future, but will the Broncos keep him on board after two subpar seasons in a row? We’re betting on the Broncos to find another head coach if signs of a turnaround aren’t imminent.