Alex Highsmith returned from injury for the Steelers in Week 14
The Ravens are 3-3 over their last six games
The Steelers finish the season with games against the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals
The AFC North race is coming down to the wire. The Ravens trail the Steelers by two games with four remaining. That sets up a crucial Week 16 matchup between the rivals, which could very well decide this division.
Below, we will share the latest insights into all four AFC North squads, along with our pick to win. We’ll be using odds taken from bet365, which is currently giving new players a choice between a $1,000 Safety Net Bet and $150 in Bonus Bets.
Discover our podcast, Ride the Line, which is dedicated to all things sports and sports betting. Dive into Grant and Tanner's expert selections for the AFC North.
Odds taken from bet365 Sportsbook, which is currently giving new players a bonus of choice: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets.
The Steelers avenged their Week 12 loss to the Browns on Sunday for their seventh win over their last eight games. That run has Pittsburgh holding a two-game lead in the division heading into the season's final four weeks.
Unfortunately, the team is about to head into the most challenging part of their schedule. The Steelers have road games against the Eagles and Ravens over the next two weeks. After that, they’ll return home to face the Chiefs and Bengals. That is a brutal stretch, but this team is up for the challenge.
We have talked a lot about how much better the Steelers' offense has been under Russell Wilson. However, this week, we’re focused on Alex Highsmith's return for the defense. The linebacker returned from injury and was fantastic. His presence further elevates a great defense, making this one of the league’s most balanced teams.
Use WSN365 for $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365
This Ravens team can’t get out of its own way this season. Despite an elite offense and league-leading run defense, they have gone 3-3 over their last six games. That run includes a critical loss to the Steelers, setting up a must-win game against their division rival in Week 16.
The good news for Baltimore is that their remaining schedule is far softer. They finish the season against the Giants, Steelers, Texans, and Browns. There are some dangerous games there, but the run is not nearly as dangerous as the one Pittsburgh will face.
The Ravens' most significant weakness remains its pass defense. While they were sharp against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in their last game, Philly’s pass attack struggled to come into the game (and still is today). That means we aren’t buying that the league’s worst pass defense has been fixed.
Get $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365
The Bengals were handed a gift win in Dallas in Week 14. The game ended up being decided when the Cowboys blocked a punt but then muffed it when trying to return it. The Bengals recovered the ball and scored the game-winning touchdown.
Cincinnati’s defense played a significant role in the win, posting one of their season's best performances. While containing a Cooper Rush-led Cowboys team isn’t difficult, the performance shows us that the Bengals’ defense is capable of stepping up in big games.
While the Bengals trails the Steelers by five games, their playoff hopes aren’t over yet. The team will have a chance to make a run to the postseason with games against the Titans, Browns, Broncos, and Steelers.
Claim $150 in Bonus Bets at bet365
The Browns picked up its tenth loss of the season in Week 14, ensuring them a spot towards the top of the 2025 draft. While Jameis Winston can lead this offense to big numbers, his lack of consistency means those efforts are few and far between. The quarterback and improved defense make this a dangerous team that could play a critical role in the AFC playoff race.
The Browns' most prominent question is what Cleveland will do with Deshaun Watson. The Browns’ offense is far worse when he is behind center, and rumors have been swirling that his teammates don’t like him. Aside from his many allegations of sexual abuse, the quarterback has also stirred up controversy by sharing vacation photos as he is supposed to be rehabbing from his season-ending injury.
The Watson acquisition has been one of the worst decisions in the history of the NFL, but the team is heavily invested. We’ll see if the team decides to push with their investment or cut bait and draft a replacement this spring.
Use WSN365 for $150 in Bonus Bets at bet365
The Steelers have a more difficult schedule but are the better team. The Ravens have a glaring issue that can be exploited. The same cannot be said about the Steelers, who have been the most balanced team in football for much of the season. Winning in Baltimore will be difficult, but we expect Pittsburgh to beat the Chiefs and Bengals to clinch the division title.
Use WSN365 for $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365
The Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated this division, taking over from the Denver Broncos in 2016.
Below are the last ten teams to win the AFC North:
Year | Winner | Playoff Results |
---|---|---|
2023 | Baltimore Ravens | Lost in AFC Championship |
2022 | Cincinnati Bengals | Lost in AFC Championship |
2021 | Cincinnati Bengals | Lost in Super Bowl |
2020 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lost in WC Round |
2019 | Baltimore Ravens | Lost in Divisional Round |
2018 | Baltimore Ravens | Lost in WC Round |
2017 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lost Divisional Round |
2016 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lost AFC Championship |
2015 | Cincinnati Bengals | Lost in WC Round |
2014 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lost in WC Round |
NFL futures odds work the same as any other bet. Each bet includes a number following the team or player, preceded by a plus or minus sign.
A plus sign before the number usually indicates an underdog, which is common with futures bets. If the odds next to a team or player have a plus sign, that is the amount that you will win for every $100 you bet.
A minus sign usually indicates the favorite to win, though they are rarely seen for future bets. A minus sign in front of the odds means that is how much you need to bet to win $100.
For example, you bet $100 on the Broncos +350 to win the AFC West. If they win the division, you will win $350.
Are you ready to start betting on the AFC North but unsure where to start? If so, we have you covered with our sportsbook reviews. Below is a comparison between some of the industry’s top NFL betting sites.
FanDuel | bet365 | BetMGM | |
---|---|---|---|
Odds for AFC North Favorite | Ravens -195 | Ravens -170 | Ravens -190 |
Welcome Bonus | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins | $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets | Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets* |
Payment Options | - ACH Payments Bank Transfer - Mastercard - Visa - FanDuel Prepaid Card - Online Transfer - Wire Transfer - PayPal | - Visa - MasterCard - Discover - AMEX - PayPal - Apple Pay - PayNearMe - Skrill - PaySafeCard - Online Banking via Trustly | - ACH Payments Bank Transfer - Visa - Mastercard - American Express - Discover credit card - PayPal - Neteller - Skrill |
Withdrawal Time | Instant | Instant | Instant |
Bet on AFC North | BET HERE | BET HERE | BET HERE |
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
Responsible Gambling
If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER to get help, or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. WSN is an advocate for safe gambling practices. Visit our Responsible Gambling Center for more details.
We support responsible gambling. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you need help, call
1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is managed by Gentoo Media. Unless declared otherwise, all of the visible content on this site, such
as texts and images, including the brand name and logo, belongs to Innovation Labs Limited (a Gentoo Media
company) - Company Registration Number C44130, VAT ID: MT18874732, @GIG Beach Triq id-Dragunara, St.
Julians, STJ3148, Malta.
Advertising Disclosure: WSN.com contains links to partner websites. When a visitor to our website clicks on
one of these links and makes a purchase at a partner site, World Sports Network is paid a commission.
Copyright © 2024