AFC North 2011 Betting Preview

The Steelers and Ravens won a dozen games apiece last season, but it was Pittsburgh that took the AFC North division title and came out on top when they met in the postseason. Those two teams highlight our look at the AFC North for this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had to hold off the hard-charging Ravens last season to win the AFC North title on a tiebreaker, then got to host Baltimore at Heinz Field in the Divisional Round of the playoffs – a game they won 31-24. That propelled the Steelers on to a victory in the AFC Championship Game - and an eventual defeat in Super Bowl XLV.

For 2011 the oddsmakers at Bodog have the wins OVER/UNDER for the Steelers set at 10.5, and they're fourth behind the Patriots, Chargers, and Jets from the AFC to win the Super Bowl next February at 15/1. Pittsburgh is also at 13/2 to win the AFC championship again, and QB Ben Roethlisberger is at 18/1 on the Bodog MVP odds.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens pounded the Chiefs 30-7 in Kansas City in the Wild Card Round of last year's playoffs, but they couldn't get the job done on the road for a second straight time when they went to Heinz Field. Baltimore will be looking to win the AFC North title this season - and get the chance to host their postseason matchups next winter.

And the oddsmakers at Bodog have the Ravens right with the Steelers on their current odds lists, including at 10.5 on the wins OVER/UNDER. Baltimore is also getting 16/1 odds to win the Super Bowl next February, and 15/2 odds to win the AFC Championship Game. QB Joe Flacco is pegged at 25/1 on the Bodog MVP board.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns entered the final month of the regular season in 2010 at a respectable (for them) 5-7, but they then went on to lose their final four contests to wind up at 5-11 for the season – just ahead of the Bengals in the AFC North standings. Cleveland, though, hopes to have found its franchise QB with Colt McCoy holding down the job.

McCoy, though, isn't going to be able to work miracles with this Browns roster in 2011, and the oddsmakers at Bodog have Cleveland's wins OVER/UNDER for the season at just 6.5. The Browns are also well back at 80/1 to win the Super Bowl next February, with running back Peyton Hillis a longshot MVP candidate at 50/1 at Bodog.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals won just once on the road and three times against AFC conference opponents last season to end up with a 4-12 record – tied for the worst in the AFC with the Bills and Broncos. And with Carson Palmer not reporting to the team for this season the Bengals' chances of avoiding last place are looking fairly bleak right now.

At Bodog the Bengals' wins OVER/UNDER for the season is tied for last on the list in the AFC at just 5.5, and they're well back at 125/1 odds to win the Super Bowl next February. Cincinnati also sits with longshot 60/1 odds to claim the AFC championship.