Here is a look at the odds to win the AFC North:
All Odds Taken From Bodog and Bookmaker, be sure to shop around for the best price.
Baltimore Ravens (EVEN)
The Ravens were a scary team last season, and they got even scarier. They traded for Anquan Boldin to give Joe Flacco a great weapon at wideout. They also re-signed Derrick Mason, who should be able to repeat or even exceed his numbers from last year with Boldin getting most of the attention.
They also added two tight ends in the draft. They picked up Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, and they are set at TE, where they needed to replace an aging Todd Heap. This gives Flacco a lot of weapons in addition to their great running game.
The Ravens’ running game is still one of the best in the league. Ray Rice has shown what he can do, and Willis McGahee scored a bunch of touchdowns last season. Le’Ron McClain is one of the better fullbacks in the league and has shown that he can break a big one.
They have a solid offensive line and added more depth by drafting humungous tackle Ramon Harewood. He stands 6-foot-7 tall and weighs in at 360 pounds. He could step in at right tackle if the Ravens eventually trade Jared Gaither.
The Ravens also improved their defense by drafting Sergio Kindle and Terrence Cody. They have a scary linebacking corps in Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Jarret Johnson, and Kindle. Their secondary will be anchored by one of the biggest ball hawks in the game, FS Ed Reed.
The Ravens rightfully are considered the favorite to win the AFC North, but they will have tough competition.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+210)
Despite the loss of Big Ben, the Steelers are considered the second choice to win the AFC North at Bodog. Much of Pittsburgh’s success will depend on how well Ben’s replacement does in the first part of the season.
Right now it looks like the Steelers will try to get Dennis Dixon ready to start, but they also signed Byron Leftwich to potentially step in while Roethlisberger is serving his suspension. Neither one of them is going to have the same success that Big Ben would have.
And the team faces a couple of tough opponents in Ben’s absence. They start their season at home against the Falcons. They then face the Titans before getting a break in Week 3, where they play the Bucs. Their Week 4 matchup with the Ravens can pretty much be penciled in as a loss with Roethlisberger not available.
The Steelers didn’t have many needs to fill in the offseason and drafted three linebackers to enhance their pass rush. They solidified their offensive line by drafting Maurkice Pouncey at 18. They were really quite in free agency, but lost Santonio Holmes to the Jets.
They traded for Bryant McFadden to fill a need at cornerback. They will need Ben’s replacement to step up big in the first part of the story and play great football with Roethlisberger back if they want to challenge the Ravens for the division title.
Cincinnati Bengals (+300)
The Bengals had a good 2009 season and got better in the offseason. They had problems on their defensive line, but addressed those in the draft. They selected defensive end Carlos Dunlap and defensive tackle Geno Atkins to beef up the line. Dunlap has a questionable work ethic, but is a force if he plays to his potential.
Cincinnati addressed some issues in the secondary by drafting cornerback Brandon Ghee and signing Pacman Jones. Their defense looks improved, if all the guys with questionable character and work ethic can get their heads in the game.
The Bengals added some weapons for Carson Palmer, too. They cut Laveranues Coles, who disappointed in 2009. They signed Antonio Bryant and Matt Jones, and drafted TE Jermaine Gresham and wide receivers Jordan Shipley and Dezmon Briscoe.
The team looks good and has a legitimate shot at the division title. Their biggest concern is whether their players will get their act together and play up to their potential.
Cleveland Browns (+1200)
The Browns have a bevy of quarterbacks on their roster. After trading away Brady Quinn and cutting Derek Anderson, Mike Holmgren brought in Seneca Wallace, whom he drafted in Seattle. They also signed Jake Delhomme and drafted Colt McCoy. They have Brett Ratliff on their roster as a fourth quarterback.
Cleveland will have to decide who their starter will be. Wallace has shown in Seattle that he is ready to play. Delhomme needs to bounce back big from a horrible season with the Panthers in 2009. McCoy is a great prospect, but might not be ready to contribute at a high level right away.
Holmgren addressed a big need at cornerback by drafting Joe Haden. The Browns are now set at corner with Haden and Eric Wright. They traded for safety Sheldon Brown, and signed safeties T.J Ward and Larry Asante to fix another issue in the defensive backfield.
They still need a lot of help on offense. Josh Cribbs has shown some flashes, but the Browns still lack a real No. 1 receiver. They could use someone for the slot as well. They are banking on Jerome Harrison at running back, and added backfield depth through the draft and free agency.
They are not quite good enough to make a move for the division title, but they should improve in comparison with last year’s campaign.
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