There may not be a more exciting and unpredictable division in the NFL this season than the AFC North.
NFL odds 2014: Steelers slight favorites over Bengals, Ravens in AFC North
Oddsmakes have the Bengals and Ravens just behind the Steelers in the race for the division.
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From Johnny Manziel and the lowly Cleveland Browns to Andy Dalton and the defending division champion Cincinnati Bengals, each of the four teams seemingly has a shot to get to the playoffs.
The Bengals (O/U 9 wins) are not even favorites to repeat as AFC North champs in 2014 at +210. Instead, that distinction goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers (O/U 8.5), who unlike Cincinnati has a quarterback who has won two Super Bowls in Ben Roethlisberger.
The division kicks off with a classic matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Bengals, which was a pick-em early in the week.
Dalton recently signed a whopping six-year contract extension worth $115 million, so he will face even more pressure now after the Bengals flopped in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh is the +190 favorite to win the division and has not gone three straight years without a winning season since 1971. The Steelers have finished 8-8 each of the past two years, and that will simply not cut it for a fan base left with a bitter taste in its mouth ever since watching Tim Tebow beat them in the 2011 playoffs.
Roethlisberger hopes to get better protection from his offensive line and needs his teammates to stay healthy if Pittsburgh is going to win its first AFC North crown since 2010.
The Baltimore Ravens (O/U 8.5) suffered from a Super Bowl hangover last season after winning it, and they also had to deal with some bad press this past offseason when running back Ray Rice was involved in a domestic dispute. Rice was suspended two games for his actions off the field that were caught on tape, and he will look to redeem himself for the Ravens (+275 to win the division) when he returns in Week 3 at Cleveland.
Speaking of the Browns (O/U 6.5), Manziel may not win the starting job right away, but you can bet that most fans will be chomping at the bit to see him play as soon as possible. Veteran Brian Hoyer looks to start the season as the team’s top quarterback.
However, the rookie and former Heisman Trophy winner from Texas A&M should get his opportunity to shine at some point (and he remains near the top of the offensive rookie of the year odds) for Cleveland (5/1 to win the AFC North), and there’s no doubt the entire football world will be tuned in when he finally does.
