The AFC North was a powerhouse of a division in 2023, with four teams all finishing the season with winning records. While the headliner of this division was the Baltimore Ravens, all four teams were respectable from an NFL betting perspective. Here, we look at the odds to win the AFC North this year in what should be a wide open division in 2024.
AFC North Futures Betting Odds
Baltimore Ravens
The winners of the AFC North in 2023 were the Baltimore Ravens. They finished in first place in not just this division, but in the AFC as a whole, landing them a first-round bye in the playoffs. Lamar Jackson won another MVP award, but Jackson and the Ravens fell short in the AFC Championship Game. This year, Baltimore is a slight favorite in the AFC North, but their path to the top of the division is anything but straightforward.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals went 9-8 last season but missed out on the playoffs by a narrow margin. Just finishing above .500 was an impressive feat for the Bengals this year, given that they were without quarterback Joe Burrow for a large portion of the year. With Burrow set to return, there will be high expectations for the Bengals once again, as they hope to return to the Super Bowl in 2024.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback injuries were an issue for the Cleveland Browns last year. But the Browns overcame the losses of Deshaun Watson and other backup quarterbacks to reach the playoffs. Joe Flacco of all people stepped in admirably at the quarterback position, as the Browns looked better throwing the ball with Flacco than they did with Watson. This year, Watson will be back and the Browns defense will once again look to carry them to a successful season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers won 10 games and also made the playoffs, making three teams good enough to make the postseason in this division. Pittsburgh suffered quarterback injury after quarterback injury this past season, but their defense and running game helped them overcome the absence of Kenny Pickett. This year, it will be Russell Wilson at the helm for the Pittsburgh offense, as they look to become a more serious contender in this division and the AFC as a whole.
2024 AFC North Futures Prediction
The AFC North could go in any number of directions in 2024. The Ravens are the favorites after playing so well in 2023. But the Bengals could bounce back in a big way with Burrow back under center, while the Steelers and Browns certainly have a fighting chance to finish in first place themselves. This division will be one of the best in the league again next season and will be a lot of fun to watch, as we will take the Bengals to win it for now.