NFL Pick: 2023 AFC North – Cincinnati Bengals +160 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
In the upcoming AFC North race, fierce competition is anticipated, especially with the Cincinnati Bengals eyeing a historic feat this season. No team has ever clinched the AFC North title three consecutive times, a feat within the Bengals’ grasp should they emerge victorious once again.
Nevertheless, the Baltimore Ravens have high expectations for a recently well-compensated Lamar Jackson, while the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns boast considerable talent, including quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson, entering their second seasons in their respective offensive systems.
The Bengals have sustained their favored status, although several prominent sportsbooks position them as the division favorite with the least favorable futures odds in the entire AFC for this year. The question looms: will Cincinnati continue their reign, or will another contender rise to the challenge in this fiercely competitive division?
Quick Overview
Here are the current AFC North odds from the top offshore sportsbooks, for the 2023-24 NFL season, as of August 11, 2023.
Key Facts
- The protection will be better for Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow this season with the addition of 6’8”, 350-pound Orlando Brown which is alarming news for the rest of the league as he still has the talented triumvirate of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd at his disposal.
- If you are wondering why the Ravens tapped slot receiver, Zay Flowers, as their first-round selection and then signed Odell Beckham Jr. then you should know that Baltimore’s wide receivers caught exactly seven passes last year!
- As for the defense, the Ravens were ranked No. 3 against the run, allowing just 92.1 yards per game, and in points allowed, surrendering only 18.5 points per contest last season and will likely be as good on that side of the ball again this year.
- The Browns were a barely middling defense last year, having allowed 28 or more points on six occasions but a major overhaul should make this defensive unit much improved over last year.
- George Pickens and Diontae Johnson will be Pickett’s two primary targets while veteran Allen Robinson will be a tertiary option. However, the Steelers were ranked No. 26 in points scored (18.1 PPG) last season and unless Pickett makes a quantum leap, I don’t see this team producing much more than they did last year.
- If you have ever wondered how much of an impact one player can make then look no further than T.J. Watt. The Steelers were 8-2 and ranked in the top six of pass defense EPA but without Watt, Pittsburgh went 1-6 and was 30th in pass defense EPA.
Cincinnati Bengals
- 2022 Record (12-4)
- Super Bowl Odds: +1000
The Bengals came up just shy of an opportunity to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl last season. Kansas City squeaked by Cincinnati, 23-20, and eventually defeated the Eagles as Patrick Mahomes won the second ring of his young career.
But if Mahomes is the gold standard, Joe Burrow is finely polished sterling silver and has the talent around him to contend yet again for the AFC title and a Super Bowl crown. And if there was one offensive weak link on the Bengals last year it was a mediocre offensive line. Well, the Cats remedied that quickly when they plucked 6’8”, 350-pound Orlando Brown from the Chiefs to become Burrow’s blindside protector.
Better Protection
The protection will be better for Burrow this season which is alarming news for the rest of the league as he still has the talented triumvirate of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd at his disposal with a dual threat in Joe Mixon running the rock. And although Hayden Hurst took the money and ran to Carolina, the Bengals did sign Irv Smith to take his place at tight end which should be pretty much a wash.
As for the defense, it was ranked No. 6 in points allowed last season but the secondary is susceptible to the long ball. However, no team is perfect and this edition should be at least as good as last year’s which means the division title is a lock.
Baltimore Ravens
- 2022 Record (10-7)
- Super Bowl Odds: +1600
If you are wondering why the Ravens tapped slot receiver, Zay Flowers, as their first-round selection and then signed Odell Beckham Jr. then you should know that Baltimore’s wide receivers caught exactly seven passes last year!
And although Raven Nation was ecstatic with the news that Lamar Jackson signed a five-year extension, we should point out that injuries over the last few seasons have plagued the elusive and talented quarterback. And if he goes down again, so too will Baltimore’s chances of making a deep postseason run.
As for the defense, the Ravens were ranked No. 3 against the run, allowing just 92.1 yards per game, and in points allowed, surrendering only 18.5 points per contest last season. Although two major pieces of that defense have departed this season, defensive lineman Calais Campbell and cornerback Marcus Peters, the Ravens boast enough depth to replace them without a significant drop-off in production.
Can the Ravens win the division? Yes, they are the only ones who have a chance to oust the Bengals but the moon and stars would have to align because Cincinnati’s offense is just that good.
Cleveland Browns
- 2022 Record (7-10)
- Super Bowl Odds: +3300
If you believe Deshaun Watson still has the magic in him and his psyche hasn’t been irreparably damaged by the public disgrace he’s suffered as a result of sexual misconduct and assault allegations then the Browns have an opportunity to make some noise.
Watson will have the weapons to work with as Amari Cooper will return and he will also get field stretchers Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin to join the receiving corps this season. Nick Chubb will be back steamrolling the opposition and is one of the premier rushers in the game.
Better Defense
It would also appear that Cleveland’s defense should improve with new defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, at the helm. The Browns were a barely middling defense last year, allowing 28 or more points on six occasions but a major overhaul should make this defensive unit much improved over last year.
The Browns have given Watson every reason to succeed by surrounding him with pass-catching talent and an offensive line that ranks among the best. Assuming the defense improves, this Browns edition should surprise more than a few people.
Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2022 Record (9-8)
- Super Bowl Odds: +6600
The Steelers made a wise choice by trading up in the first round to snag Georgia’s Broderick Jones to give second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett, more time in the pocket – a luxury he didn’t have often last season. They also signed Eagles offensive lineman, Isaac Seumalo, which should also help Pickett’s cause.
George Pickens and Diontae Johnson will be Pickett’s two primary targets while veteran Allen Robinson will be a tertiary option. However, the Steelers were ranked No. 26 in points scored (18.1 PPG) last season and unless Pickett makes a quantum leap, I don’t see this team producing much more than they did last year.
Watt Are You Saying?
If you have ever wondered how much of an impact one player can make, then look no further than T.J. Watt. The Steelers were 8-2 and ranked in the top six of pass defense EPA but without Watt, Pittsburgh went 1-6 and was 30th in pass defense EPA.
If Watt can stay on the field the Steelers’ defense should be among the best, especially after signing 8x Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson to bolster the secondary while selecting rangy Penn State cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., as the No. 32 pick in the draft.
Pittsburgh’s sublime safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, will be back in the Steel City after another All-Pro season, and couple his return with a smattering of new additions and we should see this as one of the premier defenses in the league.
Pittsburgh is another team that could shock the world but it all depends on how much Pickett matured between his rookie and sophomore season.
NFL Pick: 2023 AFC North – Cincinnati Bengals (+160) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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