New Kings

By: Josh Frey-Sam

The Los Angeles Rams are the only division winner from last season who is not the betting favourite to repeat.

Incredibly, the San Francisco 49ers, who lost seven starters (mostly on defence) to free agency, are the odds-on to win the NFC West.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills hold the shortest odds at repeating in the AFC East, which is no surprise considering the Patriots and Jets are introducing new regimes and the Miami Dolphins appear to be stuck in no man’s land.

The reality is it’s very unlikely that we’ll see seven out of the eight division winners repeat. Vegas will be wrong, so let’s take a stab at who has the best chance at knocking off the reigning division champs.

AFC North, Cincinnati Bengals (Baltimore Ravens)

Bengals are the easy pick to knock off the Ravens. And I’m not sure if this is as much about them being close to the Ravens as it is about the Steelers and Browns being distant options with below-average quarterbacks.

Cincy has the offence to keep up with just about anyone in a track meet, the problem is whether their defence will be able to make a crucial stop when they need it most.

This defence got better in the draft, but whether that’s enough to stop Lamar & Co., I don’t know.

Cincy also has a sneaky tough schedule this season, hosting the Bears, Lions, Pats, Jets, Jags and Cards, while visiting the Bills, Packers, Dolphins, Vikings and Broncos.

AFC South, Jacksonville Jaguars (Houston Texans)

Funny thing is, this might be a legitimate bet for me come August, after I’ve mapped out all my futures bets.

I think I’ve been higher on the Jags than most. This offseason has been all about maximizing Trevor Lawrence by surrounding him with a legitimate supporting cast. Liam Coen was a solid hire as the head coach, and GM James Gladstone doubled down by trading up for Travis Hunter to create what could very quickly be one of the best WR duos in the league.

With a shored-up offensive line, there’s no reason we shouldn’t get the best version of TLaw in 2025.

I’m also more hopeful for the Jags’ defence under Anthony Campanile. I don’t think their poor stats last season were a reflection of the talent.

AFC East, New England Patriots (Buffalo Bills)

Our first worst-to-first pick. Mike Vrabel has already made an impact on this team, and the Pats could be one of those sneaky darkhorses when it’s all said and done.

They spent a lot of money this offseason and followed that up with one of my favourite drafts. This rsoter is completely remade, particularly the defence, which perhaps could give Josh Allen some fits.

Drake Maye should have much better protection as he looks for a Year 2 breakout.

AFC West, Los Angeles Chargers (Kansas City Chiefs)

Tell you what, the Chargers are gonna be a physical team this season. That offensive line is top-five, and now they have a punishing running back tandem to punch you in the mouth over and over.

And don’t forget about JHerbo, who now has Ladd McConkey and Tre Harris to sling the rock to. Jim Harbaugh knows how to win, and this could be the year he makes his patented mark on the league.

Yes, the Chiefs have Mahomes, Reid and the pedigree, but this, to me, feels like the Chargers’ best chance to rewrite the AFC West history books for the first time in nine years.

NFC North, Green Bay Packers (Detroit Lions)

I don’t wanna hear anything about the homer pick. Let’s put this in perspective — do you trust the Packers, who have continuity and clear talent at every level, a Vikings team with a second-year (rookie) QB or a Bears team that, yes, has made great strides this off-season, but hasn’t proven anything?

Jordan Love can re-cement his name in that top-10 conversation with a healthy season, while the defence is a consistent edge rusher away from being one of the best in the business.

NFC South, Atlanta Falcons (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

This is going to depend heavily on Michael Penix Jr., but if he’s anything like he showed at the end of last season, the Falcons will absolutely be in the conversation with the Bucs at the end of the year.

The Falcons’ offence feels like it’s less of a worry than the defence, but you also can’t help but feel better about the defence after their draft haul. Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts should all have impacts in their first year.

NFC East, Dallas Cowboys (Philadelphia Eagles)

Cowboys have been stellar since the draft started. Love their rookie class, and after the George Pickens trade, it’s tough not to get excited about what that offence could become.

Keep in mind, that defence is still solid. Injuries killed them last season, but if their playmakers can stay healthy, this is a formidable squad.

The NFC East could return to its NFC Beast form this year. It won’t be a cake walk for Philly.

NFC West, Arizona Cardinals (Los Angeles Rams)

We finish where we started. I don’t think we have given Jonathan Gannon enough credit for the job he’s done in Arizona thus far. That defence punched way above its weight class last season, and this offseason was all about adding pieces to that unit.

I would love to see the Cards go trade for Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander. Either or would vault this unit into a potential top-seven unit.

Meanwhile, the offence is the exact same, which scares me. This is a huge year for Kyler Murray and his future with this franchise.

Can Drew Petzing dial up something better in Year 3?

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh