AFC North Futures Odds Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals captured their first division title in six years last season on the way to a berth in the Super Bowl. Despite that success, the Bengals aren’t favored to repeat as AFC North Division champs this year.

At Bovada Sportsbook, the AFC North futures odds favorites are the Baltimore Ravens at +160. The Ravens were 8-9 last season due in part to injuries. Quarterback Lamar Jackson played in only 12 games. The Ravens were 7-5 in those 12 games compared to 1-4 in the five games he missed.

Baltimore favored to rebound from injury-plagued season

Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both missed the entire season and are looking to bounce back and reinvigorate the Ravens’ rushing attack.

Baltimore’s most notable departure in the offseason was wide receiver Marquise Brown. That leaves a lot of pressure on Rashod Bateman this season. Tight end Mark Andrews remains and should be a consistent red-zone target for Jackson again.

Bengals underdogs to repeat as AFC North champions

Following the Ravens on the odds list are the Bengals at +190. Cincinnati’s core remains intact, led by quarterback Joe Burrow. Running back Joe Mixon and receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd round out what should be a strong offense. Cincinnati also added tight end Hayden Hurst, who could be in for a rebound season after a down year in Atlanta.

Cincinnati soundly defeated Baltimore in both matchups last season and may need to do that again to repeat as division champion.

Browns’ season likely depends on fate of QB Watson

The dark horse in the AFC North could be the Cleveland Browns at +275. How good – or possibly how bad – the Browns are this season could depend on whether Deshaun Watson is suspended. After an 8-9 season, the Browns jettisoned Baker Mayfield in favor of Watson. Watson sat out last season and could be facing a lengthy suspension due to off-the-field conduct. If he does miss time, backup QB Jacoby Brissett will be thrust into the starter’s role.

Also joining Cleveland in the offseason was wide receiver Amari Cooper. He’ll replace the departed Jarvis Landry, while the running back duties remain in the hands of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Steelers long shots beginning new era after Big Ben

The long shot to win the AFC North this season is the Pittsburgh Steelers at +1000. The Ben Roethlisberger era has ended in Pittsburgh and Mitch Trubisky takes over at QB until first-round pick Kenny Pickett is ready.

The Steelers have some solid pieces on offense in running back Najee Harris and wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, but they’ll likely live or die behind Trubisky, who needs to prove he can still be an NFL starter after flaming out in Chicago.