The AFC North consistently ranks as one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and the 2024 season should be no different.
But a competitive division doesn't always translate to a lucrative futures bet. Is there value on the AFC North futures market? Or, does the relative parity between these four teams make the Great Lakes area a no-fly zone?
Let's dive into the odds for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, and Steelers to win a divisional title in 2024, and explain why Baltimore stands out as the team to bet in this futures market.
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AFC North odds 2024: Ravens slight favorites
All odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
| Team | Odds |
| Baltimore Ravens | +135 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +165 |
| Cleveland Browns | +500 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +700 |
It's no surprise that the Ravens and Bengals boast SIA's two shortest odds to win the AFC North. Baltimore just paired up its two-time MVP with a two-time rushing king, and John Harbaugh's defense remains one of the best in the NFL. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has former AFC-champion QB Joe Burrow back to health, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins back out wide for him, and an improved offensive line and secondary.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh are considered the long-shots by oddsmakers. Deshaun Watson is back for the Browns, but it was Joe Flacco who brought the most success to this Cleveland franchise last season. And with Nick Chubb still on the PUP list, it's hard to see an elite D carrying the Browns enough to contend for the divisional crown. As for the Steelers, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields seem to be battling for the distinction of worst starting QB in the NFL. This could mark the first losing season of Mike Tomlin's head coaching career.
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These teams combined to go 43-25 in 2023, with all four squads mounting winning records despite three of them battling injury and QB inconsistency. Baltimore landed the top seed in the AFC and Cleveland went on a rampage late in the season, with both teams making runs in the playoffs. The Ravens ultimately took down the Browns in the divisional round, then battled the eventual-champion Chiefs in the AFC Championship before falling 17-10.
With Baltimore once again sitting amongst most analysts' NFL power rankings — and Patrick Mahomes rival Burrow back under center for the Bengals (the only other AFC team besides Kansas City to make the Super Bowl since the Patriots' Tom Brady era) — it's easy to envision this division producing the squad that finally takes down the mighty Chiefs dynasty in January.
AFC North prediction 2024: Best bet to win the division
Ravens (+135)
The Ravens won the AFC's No. 1 seed last season, recording two wins more than any other team in the conference. Then, after getting bounced from the AFC Championship by the rival Chiefs, they landed top free-agent running back Derrick Henry. If King Henry stays healthy the entire campaign, this could go down as the most dominating QB-RB combo in NFL history.
Henry's presence and the constant threat of Baltimore's ever-lethal RPO system should help bolster the production of wideouts Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor. And whether stud tight end Mark Andrews plays a full season or not, it would behoove John Harbaugh to employ some two-TE sets with 2023 breakout Isaiah Likely.
We still haven't even touched on the Ravens' perennially elite defensive front and GOAT kicker Justin Tucker. When there are zero holes in all three levels of your 3-4 defense or your special teams, you tend to win a ton of games. Justin Madubuike, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton should help Baltimore retain its status as a top-five defense.
Of course, the Browns will be in that conversation as well. But Cleveland doesn't have enough of a sure thing under center with the oft-injured Deshaun Watson, who hasn't looked consistently great since before his off-field disasters started in Houston. And while Cincinnati's o-line and defense have improved to make Joe Burrow's life easier in his second career comeback bid, neither seem improved enough to battle the behemoth that Baltimore has become.