Odds to Win AFC North Division

Here's our rundown on what has happened in the offseason for all of the AFC North teams and their odds to win the AFC North as listed at bodog

Baltimore Ravens (+115)

Added – RB Ricky Williams (FA), FB Vonta Leach (FA), TE Kris Wilson (FA), S Bernard Pollard (FA), CB Jimmy Smith (DR), WR Torrey Smith (DR).
Lost – QB Marc Bulger, RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason, WR Donte’ Stallworth, TE Todd Heap, G Chris Chester, NT Kelly Gregg, CB Fabian Washington, S Dawan Landry.

For a team that went 12-4 last season, Baltimore certainly had a large roster turnover. The key for the offense is the continued development of QB Joe Flacco. He must play better in the playoffs and show he can defeat the Steelers when QB Ben Roethlisberger is playing. They hope rookie WR Smith can stretch the field, something the offense has lacked for years. The defense is aging but still has impact players at all three levels of the defense. Pollard will bring physicality to the safety spot but this defense really needs rookie CB Smith to make his presence felt. Still have to climb over a strong Pittsburgh team to get to the Super Bowl. Is this the year?

Cincinnati Bengals (+1800)

Added – QB Bruce Gradkowski (FA), TE Bo Scaife (FA), OLB Manny Lawson (FA), OLB Thomas Howard (FA), CB Nate Clements (FA), QB Andy Dalton (DR), WR A.J. Green (DR).
Lost – QB Carson Palmer, WR Chad Ochocinco, WR Terrell Owens, DE Antwan Odom, CB Johnathan Joseph.

There is a changing of the guard in Cincinnati (again!) as QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Ochocinco are out and rookies Dalton and Green are in. The Bengals did resign RB Cedric Benson for another season and look for him to be used as he was in ’09. Green could be a star while Dalton might sit for awhile. The defense replaced the departed Joseph with Clements, a serious downgrade. The defense as a whole regressed last season, and needs to regroup for this team to approach a .500 record. Trading Palmer would bring some assets but team President Mike Brown is very stubborn, often to his and the team’s detriment.

Cleveland Browns (+800)

Added – RB Brandon Jackson (FA), G John Greco (TR), S Usama Young (FA), NT Phil Taylor (DR), DE Jabaal Sheard (DR), WR Greg Little (DR).
Lost – QB Jake Delhomme, RB Mike Bell, FB Lawrence Vickers, DT Shaun Rogers, DE Kenyon Coleman.

Cleveland had a very impressive draft on both sides of the ball as they slowly build up the talent on their roster. RB Peyton Hillis should be the offensive centerpiece again as QB Colt McCoy continues his development. Look for McCoy to show marked improvement in his second year. After failing as a 3-4 defense for years, the Browns are finally transitioning to a 4-3, which suits their personnel. Look for rookies Taylor and Sheard to start immediately. Cleveland still has a ways to go to catch the Steelers and Ravens but they are finally starting to make progress.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-105)

Added – WR Jerricho Cotchery (FA), John Gilmore (FA), DE Cameron Heyward (DR).
Lost – WR Antwan Randle EL, OT Flozell Adams, OT Max Starks.

There wasn’t a lot of activity in Steel Town in the offseason. So what else is new? The Steelers rarely venture into the FA market but made a shrewd signing in Cotchery. He gives the receiving corps another veteran presence along with WR Hines Ward. Pittsburgh is obviously confident in OT Willie Colon’s return from injury as they cut their starting OTs from last season. The defense has added two DEs in the first round of the last two drafts but they probably won’t start this season. The defense remains a rock but the front seven is starting to age. Definitely a Super Bowl contender and one of the few clubs that won’t be affected by the lockout as much as most teams.

AFC North Odds

Odds avaialble at bodog

Pittsburgh Steelers -105
Baltimore Ravens +115
Cleveland Browns +800
Cincinnati Bengals +1800

AFC North Odds

Baltimore Ravens (+115)

Cincinnati Bengals (+1800)

Cleveland Browns (+800)

Pittsburgh Steelers (-105)

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