2023 AFC North Betting Odds: It Might Get All ‘Game of Thrones’ Up Here

The AFC North Remains a Proverbial Bloodbath

August 22, 2023 326 3 minutes readNFL Picks & Parlays

2023 AFC North Betting Odds: It Might Get All ‘Game of Thrones’ Up Here — Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

Bengals Lead Odds Albeit as Shaky Favorites

The Joe Burrow is hurt and the others are all looking at them like they are a wounded animal.

Which Team Will Dethrone the Bengals?

With Burrow out, the other Pittsburgh.

Baltimore is the most likely team to unseat Cincinnati per the AFC North betting odds at +215. After all, this team emerged from the Lamar Jackson contract drama to get even better. The team rewarded its franchise QB with a long-term deal and loaded up on offense. Paired with a defense that finished third in scoring, the Ravens are a real contender.

Houston.

And last but not least are the Steelers ate +450. Pittsburgh went on a run late last season for another winning record (9-8). Kenny Pickett had three fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drivers despite leading an offense that ranked 26th in scoring and last in ing touchdowns. In his sophomore season, he could be much better with his star receiver George Pickens.

Early Chaos: First Two Weeks Could Decide AFC North

The best thing about the AFC North’s divisional race is it starts fast. Cleveland hosts Cincinnati in Week 1 then visits Pittsburgh the next. Baltimore also visits Cincinnati in Week 2. The NFL odds could be all over the place here given Burrow’s availability (or lack thereof). The line for Bengals-Browns in Week 1 is even off the board.

Bettors should monitor the AFC North betting odds closely as it is bound to shift significantly after the first two weeks. If Burrow sits both games, Cincinnati could be 0-2 and last in the division while the Browns could be 2-0. And if the gap between these teams is not as significant, the division title could be decided by one game. Or even a tiebreaker.

As such, Cincinnati’s division odds could be had at a longer line. After its first two weeks, its schedule gets a little easier with the Cardinals. All three had 10+ losses last season and are expected to be just as bad this year. So shrewd bettors could pick up the Bengals if they start slow.

Schedule Shenanigans: Last Season Could Alter Division’s Fate

Finally, each team’s strength of schedule could just determine who comes out on top. Assuming each team finishes with a 3-3 record against each other, the non-division games will matter more. Each team faces the NFC West and AFC South. But three other games based on last season’s division rankings could be the tiebreaker here.

Cincinnati, finishing first, gets no favors as it takes on NFL playoffs but lost to the Chiefs.

Baltimore, which finished second, gets the Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay while Cleveland faces Denver, the New York Jets, and Chicago.

Pittsburgh somehow “lucked” into this as Cleveland’s slate includes three of the most improved teams after finishing last in their respective divisions. Thus, the Steelers could just benefit via the NFL scores and odds.

For Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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August 22, 2023

326 3 minutes read