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NFL AFC East Betting Odds
The NFL AFC North division consists of four teams: the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens. Of these sides, only the Steelers and Ravens have claimed Super Bowl Victory — despite none of the franchises’ stadiums hosting a single Super Bowl event!
Bengals supporters have enjoyed a successful couple of years, with their team running out two-time AFC North winners in 2021 and 2022. Things haven’t been quite so plain sailing in 2023, as Zac Taylor’s men hope to turn their form around after a slow start to the campaign.
Most sportsbooks view the Ravens as this year's most likely champions. Going 3–1 at the start of any season is impressive, but doing so in this season’s highly competitive group is a statement. The Steelers and the Browns each opened the early weeks of the NFL with two wins and two defeats, placing both sides just behind the Ravens on AFC North title futures.
AFC North Teams
Find out more details about each team in the AFC North division below.
Baltimore Ravens
As one of the youngest franchises in the NFL, the Ravens have amassed a sensational record when it comes to silverware. Since their initial outing in 1996, Ravens supporters have been treated to six AFC North championships — putting them level with the Bengals — and two Super Bowl titles.
2022 saw the Steve Bisciotti-owned outfit go 10–7, with three defeats coming at the M&T Bank Stadium. Home form was less of an issue compared to their away displays, losing three of their final four games at opposition stadiums. This is something they’ve thus far improved upon in 2023, going unbeaten on the road during the first quarter of the season.
Lamar Jackson has done the heavy lifting for the Ravens during the first weeks of 2023. By Week 5, Jackson led Ravens’ statistics for rushing, passing, and scoring, backing the argument that the quarterback is the side’s most important player.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Moving onto the oldest team currently playing in the AFC — founded in 1933 — the Steelers boast the highest number of AFC North championship wins. In 2002 the AFC Central division changed its name to AFC North, with the Steelers immediately winning the title. A consistent flow of success ensued, bagging the 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2010 AFC North championships.
Yet, the Steelers have never managed to repeat the famous achievements of the 1970s. Led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw, the Black and Gold claimed four Super Bowls in the span of five years — a true assertion of dominance. It’s up to Kenny Pickett to follow in Bradshaw’s footsteps, but the 25-year-old will need to stay fit in order to do so. A knee issue created uncertainty around the quarterback’s ability to start games as October’s games got underway in 2023.
Victory over the Browns and a traveling win at the Raiders were sandwiched between a couple of losses at the beginning of 2023. If the Steelers hope to pip the Ravens to the AFC North title, they’ll need to gather some momentum soon.
Cleveland Browns
Named after the franchise’s founder, Paul Brown, the team began operations just before the end of the Second World War. Unlike every other competitor in the AFC North — and the NFL as a whole — the Browns don’t don a logo on their players’ helmets. Rather, the logo-less helmet is the side’s logo.
Zero AFC North wins since 1989 — when the division was called the AFC Central — has led to a feeling of dismay among fans. Jimmy Haslam’s ownership struggles have been exacerbated by indescribably poor season records, including a run of one win in 31 outings between 2016 and 2017.
On a positive note, Deshaun Watson’s performances in 2023 have been solid. However, shoulder concerns led to the quarterback’s absence in the Browns’ second loss of the season, delivered at the hands of the Ravens. He’ll be a necessary figure in the side in their bid to beat last year’s record of 7–10.
Cincinnati Bengals
The potential for three AFC North wins in a row appears to have shaken the Bengals. The Paycor Stadium lost one of its most prominent figures during the summer as Kevin Huber announced his retirement — leaving the Bengals without his services for the first time since 2008.
A 3–24 defeat to last year’s strugglers, the Cleveland Browns, opened the campaign in the worst possible manner. The Ravens and the Titans then saw off the Bengals within the first four weeks, pushing Zac Taylor’s side to the bottom of AFC North. It’s a long way to come back from 1–3, but the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, and Joe Burrow will fight to make it a hat-trick of AFC North championships.
Previous Winners
Looking for historic results of the AFC North division? Here’s what our experts have to say about the past winners.
2018 – Baltimore Ravens
Little was expected of the Ravens as the 2018 AFC North division got underway. A 4–5 record in the opening nine weeks left a bitter taste in the mouth, but misery gave way to celebration in Week 17 when they clinched the title.
A 10–6 record — which included a 6–1 run of form — was enough to see off the Steelers who won nine times over the course of the year. Joe Flacco was excellent as the Ravens marched toward first place, passing for 2,465 yards in total.
In the conference, the Ravens finished an impressive fourth. Battling it out with the Chiefs, Patriots, and Texans is no easy feat, and fans were left pleased with their side’s outcome. That said, their record was only good enough for eighth across the NFL as a whole.
2019 – Baltimore Ravens
With general manager Ozzie Newsome out of the picture following his retirement, Eric DeCosta was brought in to take the veteran’s place. More changes hit the side before the season’s start, with Joe Flacco — a vital cog in last year’s machine — moving on to new pastures.
Nevertheless, the Ravens continued their 2018 form into 2019. Scoring 20 or more points in every fixture, sending 13 players to the Pro Bowl, and finishing the year with a 14–2 record meant the AFC North title was once again on course for the M&T Bank Stadium.
They also topped the conference and league charts, hitting 531 points in the regular season as a whole.
2020 – Pittsburgh Steelers
A 24th AFC North title was on the cards for the Steelers in 2020, as they looked to retake the crown from the Ravens. When they opened the year with 11 straight victories, their hopes of ending the campaign as the division’s number one side started to become reality.
A dismal end to the regular season saw the Steelers win just once in five affairs, losing the other four times. Taking their foot off the pedal could have been costly as the Ravens sat just one win behind the Steelers by the campaign’s conclusion. Moreover, Kevin Colbert’s squad could only muster up a third-place finish in the conference and fifth in the league. After such hope at the halfway point in the year, Steelers fans somehow came away from 2020’s AFC North success feeling underwhelmed.
2021 – Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Taylor’s third season at the helm was one of great change. Not only did the Bengals blow their previous season’s record out of the water, but they also opted for brand-new uniforms — a decision not made for 16 years.
Truth be told, the AFC North was noticeably weak in 2021. All three of the Bengals’ competitors ended the year with a negative points differential, whereas Taylor’s defense kept a positive points differential of 84. No other division had such a divide.
Despite coming out on top in the division and three of their final four matchups, their displays were only good enough for fourth in the conference. By the same token, the franchise’s final NFL position was ninth — evidencing the weakness of the AFC North during 2021.
2022 – Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow, Trey Hendrickson, and Ja’Marr Chase made the Pro Bowl in 2022 — and with good reason. A terrific regular season record of 12–4 led to the Bengals’ journey to the Super Bowl Playoffs, where they were eventually defeated by to-be champions, the Chiefs.
In the AFC North, Taylor’s men headed the division by two wins. Clearing the Ravens by two victories — who went 10–7 in 2022 — was vital, as their rivals won at the Paycor Stadium early in the season.
Yet again, the Bengals failed to achieve first place in the conference or the league — occupying third and sixth respectively.
How to Bet on AFC North
Football betting can be exhilarating. Sportsbooks pack the sport with various markets, making it easy for bettors of all interests to get involved. Whether you like basic bets like moneylines, or more complicated options such as parlays, futures, and systems, you’ll need to create an account before wagering.
Here, we’ve outlined a short step-by-step guide on how to sign up with a licensed NFL sports betting site.
- Visit any of the sportsbooks listed on this page;
- Click ‘Register’ or ‘Sign Up’ on the sportsbook’s website;
- Enter your personal information, such as email address and full name;
- Verify your email address and ID;
- Once the sportsbook verifies your account, you can bet on AFC North markets right away.
Betting on the NFL is similarly simple. Just pick an event you want to bet on — like an AFC North matchup — and select an outcome.
When you’re happy with your betslip, enter a stake in the box provided. Confirm the wager by clicking ‘Place Bet’. That’s all there is to it!
Responsible Gambling
Gambling within your means is the key to enjoying your betting while also staying safe. There’s no doubt that the ease of access to online betting has heightened the risk associated with gambling — but there are services in place to provide support if you need it.
To help players set boundaries on gambling, many sportsbooks include features like self-exclusion, timed breaks, and reality checks. You can also utilize deposit and bet limits to cap the amount of money spent per day, week, and month. Through these responsible gambling features, you can keep your gambling in balance with other hobbies or spending time with friends and family. When it comes to betting, moderation is key.
Where to Get Help
Below is a list of groups and organizations dedicated to supporting those affected by problem gambling.
- National Council on Problem Gambling – A single access point to gambling support services in your local area.
- Gam-Anon – A step- and tool-based platform where members can share and listen to others’ gambling experiences.
- Gambler’s Anonymous – A fellowship designed to help people through problems with gambling.
- Gamblers in Recovery – A platform where users can participate in online meetings led by experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is favored to win the AFC North in the 2023/24 season?
It’s early days, but the Ravens are favorites to snatch the AFC North title in 2023/24. Don’t write off the Steelers or the Browns just yet, though.
What is the best betting site for AFC North?
There’s no way to brand one platform as the best for AFC North betting, as it depends on your own needs and preferences — but sites like FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings are tremendously popular choices.
Where can I watch AFC North games?
CBS, Fox Sports, ESPN, NBC, Sunday Ticket, NFL+, and more are all viable options to tune in to live AFC North matchups.