Ladies and Gentlemen, football talk is finally here. This will be the first of the NFL Divisional Previews from the Betting News staff, and we are kicking things off with one of the toughest in the league. Sit back, relax, and let’s get into the AFC North.
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AFC North Divisional History
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are looking to three peat as AFC North Champions
Past 10 AFC North Division Champions
- 2024: Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
- 2023: Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
- 2022: Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
- 2021: Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) *Lost in Super Bowl LVI to Rams*
- 2020: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
- 2019: Baltimore Ravens (14-2)
- 2018: Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
- 2017: Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
- 2016: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
- 2015: Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Everyone in this division has a title in the last decade, except for the lowly Cleveland Browns. Technically, they have never won the AFC North Division. If one searches back to 1989 in the history books, the Browns won the AFC Central with a 9-6-1 record.
This division has not produced a Super Bowl winner since 2012, when the Baltimore Ravens won the division and went all the way, beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Could one of those teams find their way back there this year?
AFC North Betting Odds
Joe Burrow leads the Bengals into the 2025 NFL Season
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Odds to Win Super Bowl LX
- Baltimore Ravens +650
- Cincinnati Bengals +2000
- Pittsburgh Steelers +3500
- Cleveland Browns +20000
The Ravens are actually the betting favorite on BetOnline to win the Super Bowl this season. But what about the division?
Odds to Win AFC North Division
- Baltimore Ravens -145
- Cincinnati Bengals +225
- Pittsburgh Steelers +500
- Cleveland Browns +2500
Clearly this is Lamar’s division to lose. Personally I have no interest in paying juice like that, because God-forbid an injury takes him out for a large chunk of the season. I don’t necessarily trust the Ravens led by Cooper Rush.
Team Win Totals
Baltimore Ravens
- Over 11.5 (-115)
- Under 11.5 (-115)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Over 9.5 (-125)
- Under 9.5 (-105)
Cleveland Browns
- Over 5.5 (+115)
- Under 5.5 (-145)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Over 8.5 (-110)
- Under 8.5 (-120)
Admittedly, nothing is necessarily catching my eye, but if I had to take one of these win totals, it would be Cleveland Under 5.5 (-145). Don’t be afraid of that juice, it’s going to be a rough season for Browns fans. I’d be okay taking under 4.5 for a decent price as well if you can find it.
As a runner up, the Steelers Under 8.5 (-120) is a also a good option. Fading Aaron Rodgers would be a great season-long sweat.
David Njoku is a top pass catcher for the Cleveland Browns
AFC North Team Breakdown
Baltimore Ravens
The two biggest moves the Ravens made this offseason boosted both sides of the ball. They signed veterans WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander both to one-year contracts. Hopkins joins a receiving room with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, with Mark Andrews and Derrick Henry rounding out the skill players.
An already rock-solid defense gets a bump in the secondary thanks to Alexander, making the Ravens the clear favorite to win the division. It is worth noting, Baltimore arguably plays their hardest non-divisional matchups on the road, having to travel to Buffalo (Week 1), Kansas City (Week 4), Minnesota (Week 10), and Green Bay (Week 17).
Cincinnati Bengals
Arguably the deadliest wide receiver duo just signed on to Cincy for the foreseeable future, as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both signed new deals this offseason. Pair that with Joe Burrow, Andrei Iosivas, and Chase Brown, and the Bengals offense is ready to roll.
Defensively, there are still plenty of question marks, especially around DE Trey Hendrickson, who is still in a contract standoff with the franchise. Newly drafted rookie DT Shemar Sanders is also refusing to report, and could possibly try to go back to Texas A&M. He has yet to sign with the team that drafted him, hoping to plug their defense.
Cleveland Browns
I really don’t have much to say about Cleveland. They have the most hilarious QB room in the league, with Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. If you ask me, Joe Flacco is their Week 1 starting QB.
The Browns signed Diontae Johnson, which I’m still figuring out how that’s going to work when the weather gets cold. However, they did draft DT Mason Graham from Michigan. He makes the Cleveland defensive line even scarier next to Myles Garrett.
Mike Tomlin is a tactical genius for the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers made some significant moves this offseason. Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Najee Harris… all of em, gone. The Pittsburgh offense is now being run by Aaron Rodgers, with a supporting staff of RB Jaylen Warren, TE Pat Freiermuth, and newly acquired Jonnu Smith, and a WR room of DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Robert Woods. Not too exciting if you ask me.
But Mike Tomlin is still in the driver’s seat, so anything is possible.
Defensively, Minkah Fitzpatrick was shipped to South Beach as the Steelers signed CB Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey is paired with Darius Slay and Juan Thornhill for a new look in the Steelers secondary.
Overall, this seems like the Ravens division to lose. The Browns and Steelers shouldn’t do much this season, and the Bengals will go as far as their offense can carry them.
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