Since the inception of the AFC North in 2002, it won’t surprise you to learn that the Pittsburgh Steelers have won this 16-year-old division more than any other team. The Steelers have tossed on their division champ caps and t-shirts eight times and three out of the last four years.
Who’s got the second most AFC North titles? It’s a tie between the Ravens and Bengals at four apiece. It just goes to show how surprisingly competitive this group of teams has been over the last decade and a half. Well, competitive everywhere outside of Cleveland.
The oddsmakers at BetDSI Sportsbook are buying in in the Yinzer Dynasty to continue. Here’s what the odds look like.
AFC North 2018 Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers -300
Baltimore Ravens +300
Cincinnati Bengals +1000
Cleveland Browns +1500
Is there any chance for a Steelers stumble?
There absolutely is, but it would take an injury to Ben Roethlisberger outside of his normal missed game or two. Over the last couple of seasons the Steelers have addressed their back up and future quarterback issues in the draft, selecting Josh Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft and Mason Rudolph in the third round back in April. Either of those guys should be solid reserve QBs and Rudolph has the chance to develop into a starter. He’s in the perfect situation.
But none of that matters this year. If Roethlisberger goes down, neither of those men is ready to drag Pittsburgh to the playoffs, let alone a division championship. And if you think I forgot about Landry Jones, I didn’t. I just wanted to. I don’t see how Jones is still on the team after training camp.
Do the Ravens have a shot?
Baltimore is an interesting bet because they always have a shot and at +300, it’s one that could make you some real cash. They’re the only team out of this entire division outside of Pittsburgh that’s ever won a Super Bowl and they’ve won two of them. Quarterback Joe Flacco never was really healthy last season and the team still finished 9-7. With an entire offseason to recuperate and the palpable disrespect he’s getting in his own building, Flacco could be in for a career year. If Roethlisberger does miss more than a couple of games, the door is open for a 10-6 Ravens team to take this thing.
What about the Bengals?
Cincinnati is easy to discount here after what has to be one of the most disappointing offseasons for any team in recent history. First, they had the chance to shed Marvin Lewis after his contract expired and go in a completely new direction with their head coach. Instead, they just rehired Marvin Lewis with a two-year deal.
They could have made some real noise in the draft, especially if they had picked a quarterback like Lamar Jackson to really put the heat on Andy Dalton and create some excitement with the fanbase. Instead, they selected a center, Billy Price, in the first round. The Bengals went 7-9 last season and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them do worse this season.
OK, let’s mention the Browns
On paper, the Browns are significantly better and I think they made the right choice at quarterback for the future with Baker Mayfield. Todd Haley was a good hire as offensive coordinator and I’m sure he’s pumped at the prospect of taking over as interim head coach when they fire Hue Jackson by Thanksgiving.
Gregg Williams will continue to squander talent on defense. He’s an idiot. This is a five-win team at best.
