AFC North Futures And Betting Guidelines

Our fun trip around the NFL wraps up with the AFC North, a division with one (possibly two) strong contender for the Super Bowl.

For us old heads this isn’t your dad’s AFC North. Formerly the Central (way back when), this is where the first modern-day NFL dynasty was born. The Steelers of the 1970’s were utterly dominant, winning four Lombardi Trophies in six years.

The modern version of the division isn’t as steeped in history yet. Cleveland went away (to Baltimore) and came back (not from Baltimore). Cincinnati has had minimal success throughout its history, their three Super Bowl appearances notwithstanding.

On paper, Baltimore is a clear favorite. Pittsburgh looks to be a notch below, Cincinnati is a wildcard and Cleveland is well, Cleveland. Can more than one team from the North make the postseason?

Here are my odds and previews for the NFC North, AFC West,NFC West, NFC South,AFC South,NFC East and AFC East.

Caesar’s Sportsbook had the odds.

Baltimore Ravens +100 to win
Win total over 11.5 +130

All signs point to Baltimore winning the division. A healthy and motivated Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in the backfield and the usual outstanding defense has Ravens fans expecting a Super Bowl run. New head coach Jessie Minter steps into a great situation, no rebuild needed here. A retooled offensive line should protect Jackson and keep him upright.

On defense the addition of Trey Hendrickson boosts an already great front seven.
The story will be Jackson. He’s still in his prime and has a chip on his shoulder. He desperately wants to get to the Super Bowl. Another playoff failure and the Ravens may do the improbable and reevaluate the quarterback position. No one said the NFL was friendly.

Prediction: 10-12 wins and looking good for the division title.

Cincinnati Bengals +160 to win
Win total over 10.5 +105

Speaking of quarterbacks who may not be long for their city, I present Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. I can already see the what-could-have-been stories starting about Burrow. After a Super Bowl appearance in his second year, expectations were sky high. Injuries and a terrible offensive line (like, embarrassingly bad) halted all momentum. Burrow is elite. He has the best wide receiver in football in Jamar Chase (apologies to his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson). The running game has been complimentary. The defense was…ok.

For a franchise that has invested everything in their quarterback, they sure haven’t taken care of him. All five starters on the offensive line return which should improve the chemistry and allow Burrow to not get killed. Solving that riddle goes a long way in predicting the Bengals chances. I’m going positive here and seeing a big year from Burrow, Chase and the Bengals (unless they start 0-3 again).

Prediction: 10-11 wins and on Baltimore’s heels all season.

Pittsburgh Steelers +625 to win
Win total over 8.5 +105

Mike Tomlin is gone. Aaron Rodgers is old. Mike McCarthy reunites with Rodgers as his head coach. What could go wrong? Uhhh, a lot.

This team has a lot of experience on both sides of the ball. Micheal Pittman joins D.K. Metcalf at wideout, Jaylen Warren is a very good young running back and Pat Freiermouth is a dependable tight end.

On defense you have Cam Hayward and T.J. Watt. Minkah Fitzpatrick joins a talented secondary. So why the win total at only 8.5? I know two reasons: Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. At his age, Rodgers may drop off a cliff this season. The books just don’t trust McCarthy either. We may see a long season ahead for Pittsburgh. In fact , I’m betting on it.

Prediction: under the win total and drafting Arch Manning.

Cleveland Browns +2200 to win
Win goal over 5.5 -125

The win total odds should tell you everything. Cleveland, you’re a mess. To start with you traded the best defensive player of his generation away. You get Jared Verse in return (very good player) plus a few draft picks. Now I’m not one who supports players running a franchise but mercy. Keep the future hall of famer happy and work with him a little. But, that’s why you’re the Browns. It’s in your DNA to do stupid things, which brings us to your quarterback situation.

There’s an old adage, if you have two quarterbacks you don’t have any. Exhibit A, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Once upon a time, Watson was a respected young star on the rise. The Houston Texans had a future. You know the rest, if not, ask your local massage therapist. A long suspension and ridiculous contract later (Cleveland gonna Cleveland) we are in this quagmire (giggity). To call Watson a shell of his former self is insult to the shell. He’s too far gone to be what he once was. It’s sad. Self inflicted, but sad. Sanders needs to step up and claim this job. I have doubts he’s a starter in this league but the Browns are going nowhere fast. Give the kid a look and let him prove he’s not a fifth rounder (for the record he’s a second rounder at best). As a fan of a couple of long suffering franchises I know the build, fall short, rebuild, then finally blow it up scenario Browns fans have lived with forever. My condolences.

Prediction: 5-6 wins and not confident about that even.

Baltimore and Cincinnati slug it out to the end and both make the playoffs. Edge to the Ravens, if only slightly.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com