Raiders are heavy underdogs in AFC West
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 04: Dameon Pierce #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Tyree Wilson #9 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThere's no doubt that the Las Vegas Raiders imrpoved more than any other team in the AFC West this offseason.
Still, the oddsmakers are not convinced Las Vegas is ready to compete in the division in the 2026 season. According to our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Raiders are 15-1 longshots to win the division this season. The three other teams all have short (good) odds to win the division.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are currently priced as co-favorites at +180, while the defending division champion Denver Broncos are priced just below those two teams at +210.
It' makes sense because the Broncos and Chargers both made the playoffs and the Chiefs are expected to bounce back from a rare poor season. The Raiders are coming off of a 3-14 season in which they earned the No. 1 overall draft pick last season.
But, of course, as we all now, fast turnarounds happen all the time in the NFL, so backing a 15-1 longshot may be a worthy exercise if sports betting in your thing.
In other Raiders' news:
- New-look defense: ESPN looks at how the Raiders' defense will look under new coordinator Rob Leonard.
- Fantasy star: Could Raiders' running back Ashton Jeanty become the top fantasy running back in the NFL?