AFC North Division Football Betting
Perhaps the most intriguing division in the NFL is the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals are the deserved favorites to win this division, but you can make a strong case that any of the other three teams could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender provided the quarterback play is there. We’ve seen just how good Baltimore is with a healthy Lamar Jackson, and Pittsburgh has everything else in place but a proven quarterback. As for Cleveland, the Browns have been trying to find a franchise quarterback since they came back into the league, and they are hoping to see the 2020 version of Deshaun Watson.
NFL Betting Odds
Cincinnati brings back nearly all of its offense from last season. The Bengals finally have a franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow, and it looks like they will be competitive for a long time with the southeast Ohio native under center. Burrow has arguably the most talented trio of receivers in the NFL to throw to in Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Mixon is a dual threat running back. Cincinnati’s defense continues to be underrated, but the Bengals ranked sixth in the NFL in scoring defense last season.
Lamar Jackson finally re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens just before the NFL Draft got underway. Baltimore made Jackson the highest-paid player in league history, signing him to a five-year, $260 million contract with $185 million in guaranteed money. The 2019 NFL MVP is 45-16 in his career as a starter, but injuries have been a major concern, especially over the last two seasons.
There’s no doubt that Pittsburgh has a Super Bowl caliber defense. The Steelers might have the best defensive end in the game in T.J. Watt, and Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick are Pro Bowl talents too. They re-tooled that side of the ball this offseason, but the big concern remains the offense. Pittsburgh drafted Broderick Jones in the first round to give Kenny Pickett some protection, and the offensive line is the best it has been since Najee Harris entered the league. Now, the question is how much Pickett can improve in his second season.
Cleveland felt the need to overpay to bring Deshaun Watson to the franchise. The Browns gave Watson a fully guaranteed contract despite his legal troubles, and this is the last year the contract is reasonable before his price tag rises to over $60 million a season. That underscores the need for this team to win now, as the Browns have a cap number north of $265 million for each of the next three seasons.
List of Division Champions (2000)
| TEAM |
WINNER |
RECORD |
| 2022 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
12-4 |
| 2021 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
10-7 |
| 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 |
| 2014 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
11–5 |
| 2013 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
11–5 |
| 2012 |
Baltimore Ravens |
10–6 |
| 2011 |
Baltimore Ravens |
12–4 |
| 2010 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
12–4 |
| 2009 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
10–6 |
| 2008 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
12–4 |
| 2007 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
10–6 |
| 2006 |
Baltimore Ravens |
13–3 |
| 2005 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
11–5 |
| 2004 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
15-1 |
| 2003 |
Baltimore Ravens |
10-6 |
| 2002 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
10-5-1 |
| 2001 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
13-3 |
| 2000 |
Tennessee Titans |
13-3 |
Cleveland is the second-oldest team in this division, but the Browns only have six division titles. They haven’t claimed a division title since re-joining the NFL as an expansion team, and that’s been tough for their fans to deal with over the years. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore all have very recent AFC North crowns, but Cleveland has not won a division title since 1989.
AFC North Division Titles
| TEAM |
TITLES |
PLAYOFF BERTHS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
24 |
32 |
| Cincinnati Bengals |
11 |
16 |
| Cleveland Browns |
6 |
15 |
| Baltimore Ravens |
6 |
14 |
The Pittsburgh Steelers' dominance of the AFC North goes back to their dynasty years in the 1970s. Head coach Chuck Noll led such stars as quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, and the Steel Curtain defense to four Super Bowl titles. It was arguably the most talented roster ever assembled as nine players from those teams ended up being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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