AFC North Odds, Predictions, Betting Picks: Burrow Is Back for the Bengals

• Lamar Jackson set career-highs with 3,678 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage in 2023

• The Bengals signed tight end Mike Gesicki in the offseason

• Deshaun Watson has said his shoulder is healthy and ready for Week 1

Bookmakers have the Ravens as a slight favorite to repeat as AFC North champions but don’t sleep on Joe Burrow and the Bengals. The star quarterback returns to the teams after missing most of last season, making them a contender again. Add in a Browns team with elite talent, and you will get a recipe for a crazy competitive division race. 

Below, we will share the latest insights into all four AFC North squads, along with our pick to win.

AFC North Odds

Odds taken from bet365 Sportsbook, which is currently giving new players a bonus of choice: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $200 in Bonus Bets.

2024 AFC Predictions and Favorites to Win

Baltimore Ravens (+125) at bet365

The Ravens enter the season as a slim favorite to repeat as division champions. That is primarily due to Lamar Jackson, who set career-highs with 3,678 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage. He also had a great year rushing the ball, going for 821 yards and five touchdowns.

We expect Jackson to have another big season, especially with second-year receiver Zay Flowers coming off an outstanding rookie campaign. The Ravens added Derrick Henry to their backfield, giving them an aging but powerful ball carrier. 

The Baltimore defense is expected to be great again, but they will be without two key players from the last few seasons. Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen have new teams, and their presence will be missed. The unit still has a lot of talent and will be tough to beat, but don’t be surprised if it takes a few weeks for them to figure things out.

Use WSN365 for $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365

Cincinnati Bengals (+165) at bet365

Joe Burrow is back in action for the Bengals, and we expect a big season from him. The star quarterback has proven himself to be one of the league’s best, and he returns to an improved offense. We are most excited to see new tight end Mike Gesicki, a talented pass catcher who was left out of the Miami offensive game plan the last two seasons.

The Bengals also added running back Zack Moss to replace Joe Mixon in the backfield. Moss has served as a backup during his four-year career but broke out last year when given the chance to start for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor returned after a few weeks of forcing Moss into a timeshare, but we still have a limited look at how good he can be as a lead back.

We like the Bengals’ front seven, but their secondary remains a concern. The young unit was picked apart last season, allowing the fifth most yards per game through the air. They will have a year of experience to learn from, but we’ll see if that translates to better play this season. 

Get $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365

Cleveland Browns  (+550) at bet365

On paper, the Browns offense seems built to put up video-game numbers this season, but we aren’t sold. Deshaun Watson has been a pain point for the Browns since they acquired the disgraced star. He missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, which gained headlines after the team claimed he had been medically cleared to return.

The team added two significant weapons for Watson in Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, which may not make a difference. Watson has only played 12 games since 2020, and the shoulder injury he refused to play through is still an issue. Don’t be surprised if the quarterback ends up back on the IR in the first few weeks of the season. 

Cleveland running back Nick Chubb will open the season on the PUP-R list as he recovers from a knee injury. He’ll miss at least the first four weeks, but backup Jerome Ford has proven he can carry the ground game in Chubb’s absence. 

The Browns will once again have one of the top defenses in the league this season, led by Myles Garrett. The veteran remains one of the best defensive players in football, and we see him posting impressive numbers this season.

Claim $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365

Pittsburgh Steelers (+700) at bet365

The Steelers' defense has a chance to be something special this season. They upgraded their linebacking corps by adding former Raven Patrick Queen, who made the Pro Bowl last season. He will join an elite pass rusher in TJ Watt, who had 19 sacks, 19 TFLs, and four forced fumbles the previous season. 

Things don’t look as bright on offense as the team tries to decide on a starting quarterback. While Russell Wilson was expected to be the starter, the offense has struggled when he is on the field, similar to what we saw from him in Denver the last couple of seasons. We see Justin Fields as having a much higher ceiling, but we’ll soon see if Mike Tomlin agrees.

We are most excited to watch George Pickens and how he fits with a new quarterback this season. He went for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns despite lackluster play behind center. If Fields or Wilson can improve the position this season, Pickens could be in for an incredible season.

Register at bet365 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets

AFC North Winner - My Pick

Cincinnati Bengals +165 at bet365 Sportsbook

Joe Burrow is back and ready to avenge last year’s disappointing season. The team has also seen Tee Higgins look fantastic over the summer, promising a bounce-back season. That will reinvigorate this elite offense, leading to an 11+ win season.

While the Bengals' pass defense remains a concern, we believe Burrow’s return will be enough to cover for those struggles.

Use WSN365 for $1,000 Safety Net Bet at bet365

Previous AFC North Winners

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:

How to Read NFL Future Odds

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. 

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the AFC North

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.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.