NFL preseason odds point to a three team race in the AFC North this season. The Baltimore Ravens are the -130 favorite to win the division in NFL preseason betting but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals should be a factor.
NFL preseason odds for the AFC North list Pittsburgh at 2-1 to win the division while Cincinnati has odds just under 3-1. Cleveland is the long shot to win the division at 10-1. The Browns are really not considered serious contenders so it should be a three team race for the AFC North.
The Baltimore Ravens are the hot pick to win the AFC North by most NFL experts. The Ravens are getting a lot of attention in NFL preseason odds. The team added wide receiver Anquan Boldin in the off-season and he is expected to vastly improve the passing game. The defense has been the strength for Baltimore but they are getting older and many players are coming off injuries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least the first four games of the regular season. They have injuries on the offensive line and they let big play receiver Santonio Holmes get away. There are a lot of distractions for Pittsburgh to overcome but the Steelers are well coached and not as much is expected from them this season.
Not to be forgotten in the division is the team that actually won the division last year, the Cincinnati Bengals. The team made some nice moves adding wide receiver Antonio Bryant and safety Gibril Wilson in the off-season and they got a great tight end in the draft in Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham. The key will be getting the team to mesh together and to keep players from doing something stupid. Considering that running back Cedric Benson is already in trouble that may be difficult to do.
Cleveland may not win the division but they are going to be better since Mike Holmgren is in the front office. The team has a proven NFL veteran quarterback now in Jake Delhomme and they look to have a future quarterback in Colt McCoy. The Browns definitely look improved and there is some serious hope for the Browns in NFL preseason betting.