NFL Betting - Pittsburgh Steelers still team to beat in AFC North
- Pittsburgh Steelers now loaded on offense
- Cleveland Browns looking to build on breakout season
- Cincinnati Bengals hope to avoid distractions
The Pittsburgh Steelers (+115 AFC North odds) won the AFC North last year and are internet sportsbook favorites to repeat in 2008. Online sports betting fans have this division pegged as a two-team race.
The Steelers didn't suffer any significant losses over the offseason, but they did answer Ben Roethlisberger's call for more weapons.
Pittsburgh added power back Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of the NFL draft, while taking big wideout Limas Sweed in the second round.
With plenty of skill around Roethlisberger, the Steelers should have quite the prolific offense to combine with a tough defense. But Pittsburgh also has the strongest schedule in the NFL, which could open the door for other teams.
The Cleveland Browns (+190 odds), who tied with the Steelers at 10-6 last year but lost out on tie-breakers, are expected to finish second in the AFC North.
Like Pittsburgh, the Browns had an active offseason, improving the defensive tackle spot by adding Green Bay Packer Corey Williams and former Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers. After their offense exploded last year, the focus was on defense for 2008. They will generate plenty of action with +190 odds on a team that won 10 games last year.
The Cincinnati Bengals (+450 odds) are the enigma of the AFC North. After breaking out with 11 wins in 2005, they have won only 15 games over the past two seasons. Cincinnati had a quieter offseason than usual, cutting ties with troublemaker Chris Henry avoiding the usual arrests.
Chad Johnson remains a malcontent and although he is silent for now, he doesn't like to lose. The Bengals have the potential to win the division but, with Johnson and a coach on the hot seat, this is a combustible situation if they struggle early.
That leaves the Baltimore Ravens (+850 odds), an aging, decrepit team. Considering the starting quarterback in Week One will be either Troy Smith, raw rookie Joe Flacco or first-round bust Kyle Boller, the Ravens won't exactly be emulating The Greatest Show on Turf.
The Ravens' once-dominant defense is getting old at key positions like cornerback, which will likely knock them down a peg. They could be among the worst teams in the league.
Year in and year out, the Steelers are the most consistent team in this division, making them the best pick at +115, especially with no juice to lay.
AFC North Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers +115
Cleveland Browns +190
Cincinnati Bengals +450
Baltimore Ravens +850
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
