When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >

AFC North Odds, Predictions, Betting Picks: It's Joe Flacco's World, We're Just Living in It

Written by: Michael Savio
Updated January 3, 2024
7 min read
  • The Ravens have clinched the AFC North and are the top playoff seed in the conference

  • Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five games this season

  • The Steelers will make the playoffs if they win and the Jags or Bills lose

The Ravens have now clinched the AFC North despite an impressive finish from the Browns. Baltimore and Cleveland have secured playoff spots, while the Steelers are still fighting for an AFC Wild Card Spot.

Below, we will break down all four teams ahead of Week 18, giving you everything you need to bet confidently at DraftKings Sportsbook.

AFC North Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook. Head over to DraftKings to place your bets.

TeamOdds
Baltimore RavensOFF
Cleveland BrownsOFF
Cincinnati BengalsOFF
Pittsburgh SteelersOFF
Afc North Division Winner

AFC North Picks

As we predicted, the Ravens have secured the division, so there is no bet left on the board.

AFC Predictions

Baltimore Ravens (13-3)

The Ravens have been the best team in football for almost the entire season. They have now won six straight games and ten of their last 11, including last week’s 56-19 beatdown of the Dolphins. While Miami was dealing with many injuries, Baltimore has been, too. They have been without running back JK Dobbins for almost the entire season and lost tight end Mark Andrews a few weeks ago. Those are two of their top players on offense, but it hasn’t stopped the Ravens from posting the best record in football.

Lamar Jackson has helped the offense succeed without some key weapons, but Baltimore’s defense is their strength. The Ravens lead the league in opponent scoring, sacks, and turnovers forced. They took a lot of pressure off Lamar Jackson and their banged-up offense, allowing them to secure the top seed in the AFC. The defense has been great the last two weeks, seamlessly containing the explosive offenses of the Dolphins and Niners. 

While Week 18 brings a chance to end the Steelers playoff hopes, expect the Ravens to rest their stars with the conference’s top seed locked up.

Cleveland Browns (11-5)

Many people predicted the Browns would make the playoffs this season, but none envisioned they would do so with Joe Flacco starting at quarterback. The formerly retired Super Bowl–winner has thrown for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five games this season. He is 4-1 since taking over as the starter and carved up a great Jets defense last week for 309 yards and three touchdowns. While he has eight interceptions, the Browns' defense has been good enough to prevent them from turning into points for the other team.

The Browns are locked into the playoffs but will be playing for final seeding on Sunday against the Bengals. The AFC playoff field will be incredibly competitive, making the difference between the three Wild Card spots very significant. We saw the Bengals come crashing back down to earth over the last two weeks, but AFC North rivalry games have had surprising results this season. We think the Browns will win, but don’t be surprised to see the Bengals keep this game close.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

The Steelers are the only AFC North team whose playoff fate still hangs in the balance. A thrilling win against the Seahawks kept their season alive last week with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. It was their second straight win, setting them up for a monster Week 18 matchup against the Ravens. If they win and the Jags or Bills lose, it will earn Pittsburgh an AFC Wild Card spot. 

While Mason Rudolph has given this offense a spark, a rift may be forming in the Steelers' locker room. Kenny Pickett is healthy, but the team has announced that Rudolph will get the start again on Sunday. It's a sign that the team may be done with the young quarterback, and reports say Pickett will not accept a backup role. While he denied those reports, it signals a significant divide in the Steelers locker room. A rift like that is a cause for concern and could manifest in an ugly effort against the Ravens on Saturday night. 

Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

The Bengals saw a brief glimmer of hope after Joe Burrow’s injury, but that has ended over the last two weeks. They have lost two straight games, including a brutal blowout at the hands of the Steelers. This team never looked like the one we saw in 2022, even when Burrow was healthy. They will finish their season with an AFC North matchup against the Browns. While Cincinnati can’t knock them out of the playoffs, it would make their path to an AFC Championship far more challenging. 

When the final whistle blows on Saturday night, you can expect the Bengals' front office to begin fixing their defense immediately. The unit was good enough to support the offense this year but hasn’t been able to stop anyone in 2023. They are thirty-first in yards allowed per game (382.8), struggling to stop offenses on the ground and through the air. The Bengals do have some playmakers, but they’ll need to add pieces in free agency and through the draft if they want to compete for the Super Bowl once again.

21+ | Terms and conditions apply
Claim Now
Image for Michael Savio

AUTHOR

Michael Savio

389 Articles

Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid and has turned that into a successful career. He cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams along with his Alma Mater Arizona State. He specializes in baseball betting, but has experience in football, basketball, and hockey as well. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children.

More info on Michael Savio
We've been featured on:
espn logo
reuters logo
cbs-news logo
forbes logo
entrepreneur logo
entrepreneur logo
We only list licensed sportsbooks
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork

© Rebel Penguin ApS 2024 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)

We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID 89744, with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number 117656-1, possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, an interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director of Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a Vendor Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.

Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various sportsbooks.