According to the NFL futures odds, the AFC North is the most evenly matched division in the AFC. The Cincinnati Bengals are the favorites, but they are not an odds-on favorite per the oddsmakers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the shortest longshot in the conference at just over 5-1. Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh have all won this division four times over the last 12 years, but Cleveland has not claimed an AFC North title since all the way back in 1989.
NFL Betting Odds
2023 AFC North Odds
Cincinnati Bengals +115
Baltimore Ravens +269
Cleveland Browns +367
Pittsburgh Steelers +525
We’ve seen the Cincinnati Bengals emerge as the team to beat in this division over the last couple years. Joe Burrow has been the real deal, and the Bengals might have the most explosive offense in the NFL if he can ever get some protection from his offensive line. Burrow has been sacked a whopping 124 times in 42 starts even though Cincinnati has taken steps to improve in this area over the last couple years. Ja’Marr Chase is an elite receiver that is complemented well by Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Cincinnati doesn’t have an elite defense, but the Bengals have a solid unit on this side of the ball. Trey Hendrickson has done a good job of creating pressure, yet there are some concerns about the second level. There are quite a few new faces in the two-deep, especially in the secondary.
There is great value in the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North at +269. Baltimore is a juggernaut when Lamar Jackson is healthy and led the division at the halfway point of the 2021 and 2022 season before he was injured. The Ravens are 45-16 in the 61 games that Jackson has started over his career, as he is an above average passer and the most dynamic runner we have ever seen at the position. Jackson has run for 4,437 yards and 24 touchdowns in just five years, and he is averaging 6.1 YPC.
This offense has a true No. 1 receiver once again in Odell Beckham Jr. That should help Rashod Bateman and rookie Zay Flowers make this offense one of the most efficient in the NFL for as long as Jackson is on the field, and the defense is once again elite with Roquan Smith performing like a top-tier linebacker.
Deshaun Watson signed a massive, fully guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns last spring. Watson was far from impressive in his first year with Cleveland, and that has the Browns very nervous considering his cap figure in 2024, 2025, and 2026. If he struggles once more, the franchise will have a huge decision to make since Watson accounts for so much of their overall cap space.
There is a lot of talent in the front seven on defense, but this secondary continues to have issues. Cleveland has tried to address the problems at defensive back through the draft and free agency, yet this team hasn’t had that much success in either area. Myles Garrett is definitely one of the top five pass rushers in the league, and that does help the pass defense.
Everything depends on the development of Kenny Pickett for Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a very talented defense that has kept the team above .500 while the offense has struggled the last few years, and the team has a quality running back in Najee Harris and a true No. 1 wide out in George Pickens. This team has revamped the offensive line and used a first-round pick on Broderick Jones out of Georgia, so Pickett should have a decent run game and protection.
Pickett was very limited as a rookie, but he saw plenty of action. He completed 63% of his passes for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Six of those picks came early on in losses to the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, so it will be encouraging to see how much he has progressed this offseason.
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