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As the 2024 NFL season quickly approaches, Betting News is previewing each of the league’s eight divisions. After looking at the NFC East and AFC West on Tuesday, it’s time to turn our attention to the always-competitive AFC North.
In the 2023 NFL season, the AFC North was highly competitive, consisting of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. This division witnessed intense competition among the teams. Impressively, three of them, namely the Ravens, Browns, and Steelers, earned spots in the postseason, surpassing all other divisions in this regard. Despite narrowly missing the playoffs by just one victory, the Bengals put up a strong fight throughout the season.
As we anticipate yet another fierce clash for division dominance, it is an opportune moment to delve into the 2024 AFC North preview. We shall examine the current divisional odds and determine which team stands the highest chance of emerging victorious.
NFL Futures Betting: AFC North Division Odds 2024
AFC North 2024 odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of 12:17 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 17.
- Baltimore Ravens (+140)
- Cincinnati Bengals (+165)
- Cleveland Browns (+500)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (+600)
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Last 10 AFC North Division Winners
- 2023: Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
- 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)
NFL Betting: AFC North 2024 Preview
Baltimore Ravens (+140)
The Ravens, who won the division with a 13-4 record last season, have emerged as the AFC North favorites (+140). Baltimore showcased their dominance on both offense and defense, with QB Lamar Jackson leading the way with an exceptional MVP performance. Jackson accumulated almost 3,700 yards and 24 touchdowns through the air, while also contributing 821 yards and five touchdowns on 148 carries.
The Ravens’ offense was already dangerous, but that’s even more the case with Derrick Henry joining the backfield. The superstar running back has been the league’s top rusher in recent years, pacing his contemporaries in carries (1,529), rushing yards (7,209), and TDs on the ground (68) since 2019. That’s without mentioning how Baltimore added plenty of depth through the draft and free agency to further flesh out the roster.
The Ravens will become an intimidating team to face if Jackson continues his MVP performances and Henry lives up to expectations. With their ability to defeat opponents using various strategies, only time will reveal whether their rivals have the capability to halt the reigning AFC North champions.
Cincinnati Bengals (+165)
Despite being the sole AFC North team to not make it to the playoffs, the Bengals pose the greatest challenge within the division apart from the Ravens. This shouldn’t be unexpected, considering Cincinnati’s consecutive title victories preceding Baltimore’s triumph last season.
Despite their strong performance in the absence of starting QB Joe Burrow and No. 2 WR Tee Higgins, the Bengals missed the latest postseason primarily due to their injury situation. The duo missed a total of 12 games last season, and had they remained healthy, Cincinnati could have potentially secured two or three additional wins.
How will a healthy Joe Burrow impact the Bengals in 2024?
Even if the Bengals aren’t the best team (on paper) in the division, their outlook might be the most promising. Due to their finishing fourth in the AFC North last season, Zac Taylor’s squad has the sixth-easiest schedule in the NFL based on projected 2024 win totals.
In terms of comparison, the Ravens (ranked 29th), Browns (ranked 30th), and Steelers (ranked 32nd) all have significantly more challenging schedules.
If the Bengals manage to maintain good health and capitalize on their favorable schedule, they might find themselves in a position where winning the AFC North becomes their own doing.
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Cleveland Browns (+500)
Assessing the Browns before the 2024 NFL season is challenging due to their uncertain performance. However, it is undeniable that they possess an incredibly skilled defensive unit, particularly on the frontline. Players like Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson have proven their ability to torment their opponents relentlessly.
However, there are numerous unresolved questions surrounding the offense. Firstly, it remains uncertain which version of Nick Chubb will make an appearance this autumn following his severe knee injury that prematurely concluded his previous season. Despite being an exceptional rusher when in good health, Chubb’s age, as he approaches 29 in December, raises doubts about whether he can attain the same level of performance.
Furthermore, it’s widely known that Deshaun Watson has failed to meet expectations set by his lucrative contract. Since joining the Browns in 2022, the experienced quarterback has had limited game time, with a completion rate of only 59.8% for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 12 starts. His performance has noticeably declined compared to when he led the league in passing yards four years ago.
The Browns won’t find success until QB Deshaun Watson lives up to his contract value.
Furthermore, it is uncertain whether Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy will be able to generate sufficient productivity to alleviate the pressure on Amari Cooper.
It is advisable to avoid betting on the Browns in the NFC North race until their offense starts to click. This is reinforced by the fact that they have the third toughest schedule in the entire NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+600)
The Steelers have been the most successful team in the AFC North over the past 25 years. Since the 2002 NFL season, Pittsburgh has won an impressive nine division titles out of a total of 22. In comparison, the Ravens come in second with seven titles, while the Bengals have won the remaining six.
However, only time will reveal if the Black and Yellow can secure their first championship since 2020. Despite the Steelers qualifying for the playoffs three times in the past four seasons, their disappointing 31-17 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round did not instill much confidence in the future of the franchise.
The argument can be made that Pittsburgh was able to gain advantages from favorable matchups in the previous season, which is evident from their less-than-impressive average scoring margin of -1.2 (ranking 21st). However, the Steelers will not have the luxury of such advantages this autumn, as their upcoming schedule is widely regarded as the most challenging in the entire NFL.
Will a tough 2024 schedule be too much for the Steelers to handle?
Uncertainty under center could also limit the Steelers’ ceiling next season now that Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are competing for the QB1 job. While Wilson owns a Super Bowl ring, his best days are firmly behind him while Fields hasn’t lived up to the hype since being drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021.
Should Wilson or Fields rise to the occasion, the Steelers have a good chance of contending for a wild card spot. Nevertheless, if the duo succumbs to the pressure, Pittsburgh will probably end up with a high pick in next April’s draft.
Although it may be tempting to bet on the Steelers after their playoff appearance, it is advisable to keep expectations in check for the time being.
AFC North 2024 Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (+165)
After an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, the Bengals are ready to compete for another AFC North title. They’re more than talented enough to take advantage of a juicy schedule en route to another double-digit win total. As long as the key players stay healthy, Cincinnati is going to put a lot of teams on notice in 2024.
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