Who Will Win The AFC North In 2023? NFL Futures Betting Odds

One of the most intriguing races this year is going to be taking place in the rough and tumble AFC North, where three of the four teams have a legitimate chance to win the division and all four have a real shot at the playoffs. Unsurprisingly, the defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals are the favorites to do it again in the division winner betting markets on most NFL betting sites and betting apps.

AFC North Division Winner Futures Market - NFL Betting Odds

Pittsburgh could definitely make a run at the playoffs, but the AFC North title seems like a three-horse race between Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, and Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. All odds provided by Betway.

Cincinnati Bengals Odds

The Bengals have proven that they’re the team to beat by winning the AFC North in back-to-back years as well as reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship in 2022. If Joe Burrow stays upright—he suffered a worrisome calf strain in training camp—the Bengals are a great bet to take this division, though with the competition at hand, one would expect odds a bit juicier than +125.

They went out and signed tackle Orlando Brown, a four-time Pro Bowler, to cover Burrow’s blindside which was the best thing they could have done this offseason, as protecting Burrow has been one of the team’s only weaknesses over the last couple of years. Bringing in another weapon in TE Irv Smith to supplement an already impressive cache for Burrow should only make this potent offense even tougher to stop. Cincinnati is the safest bet for this market, but at +125, they’re not offering great value.

Baltimore Ravens Odds

The Ravens are a very intriguing team heading into 2023. There was a lot of turmoil this offseason about whether they would move on from former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, but in the end the Ravens brass came to their senses and paid the man. While some like to deride his passing ability, Jackson is actually an above average passer, and he’ll be entering this campaign with by far the best receiving corps he’s had since he arrived in Baltimore in 2018.

To supplement elite TE Mark Andrews, the Ravens now have Odell Beckham Jr.—albeit a bit past his prime, but still a massive threat—a hopefully healthy Rashod Bateman, and exciting first round pick Zay Flowers. You rarely have to worry about defense with the Ravens, so if Jackson’s passing attack can match the efficiency and efficacy of Baltimore’s elite ground game, the Ravens will be scary. A bet on Baltimore to win the division at +220 odds and another on their +250 odds to finish second would be a nice hedge here.

Cleveland Browns Odds

Here is the big question mark in what could very well be the NFL’s best division in 2023. Which Deshaun Watson will we see when the Browns trot out to take on Burrow and the Bengals in Week 1? Watson missed a full season due to contract and legal issues, but when he came back at the tail end of last season, he did not look like the guy who led the league in passing in 2020. He’ll have had a proper offseason to prepare now, however, so Watson should be closer to what he was in Houston.

There’s no denying the bevy of talent the Browns have on their roster, but this would not be the first Browns team to squander such a treasure trove. The defense is looking as good as it has ever been, and Nick Chubb is probably the most underrated back in football. The uncertainty surrounding Watson makes the Browns a tough sell in this betting market, not to mention that the question, “When has it been fruitful to trust the Browns?” is a tough one to answer positively.

Pittsburgh Steelers Odds

The Steelers are a great dark horse pick this season because they’ve got so much potential and no one really knows how close they are to reaching that potential in 2023. Kenny Pickett looks like a solid pro and should only improve with a full offseason as the entrenched starter. The offensive line has been completely remade in a much better and tougher image, which should benefit both Pickett and running back Najee Harris.

If TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick stay healthy all year, this should be the best or second best defense in football, so they won’t need much from Pickett and the offense. They’re not going to finish higher than the Bengals, but we can definitely see the Steelers sneaking in ahead of the Browns or maybe even the Ravens if Jackson and his new receiving corps don’t mesh properly. Pittsburgh’s +333 odds to finish second or their +225 odds to finish third are very enticing.