Ahead of the 2022 NFL season, we’re tracking the AFC North odds to see which teams are expected to fare well in this division.
Bwin has a wide range of NFL betting odds on every match and futures markets on everything from the next Super Bowl winner to individual player props.
Here, we’re providing our AFC North predictions and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each team:
1st CINCINNATI BENGALS
Super Bowl losers have a nasty habit of struggling the following season, but Joe Burrow and this young, hungry outfit are worth backing to buck that trend after improving from 4-11 to 10-7 last term.
Head coach Zac Taylor has addressed Cincinnati’s O-line issues by acquiring Dallas tackle La’el Collins, guard Alex Cappa from Tampa Bay and New England centre Ted Karras.
That should make things more comfortable for Burrow, who can again team up with college pal Ja’Marr Chase to great effect, as well as aiding a running game ranked just 23rd in 2021.
A contract dispute with defensive stalwart Jessie Bates is far from ideal, but the resurgent Bengals remain the team to beat, especially now battle-hardened from play-off wins over the Raiders, Titans and Chiefs.
2nd BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens slipped to fourth place in this pool last season but were decimated by injuries, with running backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, cornerback Marcus Peters and tackle Ronnie Stanley among the major casualties.
Baltimore’s defence is expected to get back on track this term and has been boosted by the capture of safety Marcus Williams on a five-year, $70 million deal, plus Notre Dame rookie Kyle Hamilton, rated by many as the most talented athlete in the 2022 draft.
There are ready-made replacements for wide receiver Marquis Brown and centre Bradley Bozeman in place, so 15-year head coach John Harbaugh is expected to enjoy a revival following that 8-9 campaign, two years on from going 14-2.
However, much will depend on how star quarterback Lamar Jackson reacts to being in the final year of his contract after throwing away too many interceptions when unable to run as much last term, so we reckon the Ravens are uneasy favourites in our AFC North betting tips.
3rd CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns have mortgaged the farm several times over to invest in controversial QB Deshaun Watson, who established himself as an elite-level playmaker in Houston but has to overcome off-field issues before starting to rebuild his reputation in Cleveland.
A revamped wide receiver core only adds to the fears that there could be a period of transition for second-season head coach Kevin Stefanski to contend with.
On the plus side, Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney will again be ready to lead a dominant defence and Chase Winovich looks a useful recruit from New England in this department.
4th PITTSBURGH STEELERS
After topping the table in 2020 and finishing a close second last season, the Steelers must begin a new era following the retirement of iconic signal caller Ben Roethlisberger as outsiders in the AFC North odds.
Top draft choice Kenny Pickett is the heir apparent and will receive plenty of support after starring at college in Pittsburgh, while former Chicago misfit Mitchell Trubisky can compete for the starting spot early on.
Guard James Daniels is a nice addition after signing a three-year, $26.5m deal and draft help at wide receiver can offset the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster, but the Steelers’ once mighty defence has been going steadily downhill.
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