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Ravens Favored Over Browns, Steelers, and Bengals in Opening 2021 AFC North Division Odds

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Feb 10, 2021 · 1:19 PM PST

Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Opening odds have the Baltimore Ravens listed as the +110 favorites to win the 2021 AFC North title
  • Baltimore was the division champ in 2019
  • Defending AFC North champs the Pittsburgh Steelers are the third betting choice at +280

In 2019, the Baltimore Ravens weren’t just AFC North champions. They were the NFL’s best regular-season team at 14-2.

They stumbled a bit last season. However, by the time the postseason rolled around, Baltimore, in as a Wild Card entry, were again looking like an imposing force.

That should trend well heading into the 2021 season. In Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have the 2019 NFL MVP at quarterback. They possess a power running game and a punishing defense. Baltimore opens as the +110 chalk to win the AFC North in the NFL Divisional odds.

As for the the teams that figure to challenge the Ravens, much like Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns both endured stretches of good and bad during the 2020 campaign. The Cincinnati Bengals continue building for a future that isn’t now.

2021 AFC North Opening Odds

Team Odds
Baltimore Ravens +110
Cleveland Browns +200
Pittsburgh Steelers +280
Cincinnati Bengals +2300

Odds as of Feb. 10th at FanDuel.

Last season, the Ravens were the odds-on -275 chalk in the opening AFC North line. Eventual division-winners Pittsburgh offered a solid price at +475.

Raving About The Ravens

Baltimore’s run game sliced through the opposition at an NFL-best rate of 191.9 yards per game. So enamored were the Ravens with the work of JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, they ended up releasing veteran running back Mark Ingram at season’s end. And don’t forget that Jackson is the NFL’s most elusive QB.

Mark Andrews is an elite tight end, but the Ravens need to see more from wideout Marquise Brown.

Defensively, Baltimore finished seventh in the league. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Jihad Ward, linebackers Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue and Tyus Bowser are all eligible for free agency.  Offensive tackle Orlando Brown is demanding a trade.

Cleveland Rocks

Certainly the sexy pick to top the AFC North, 1989 was the last time Cleveland won a division title.

Was the Baker Mayfield from Week 12 on, who passed for 11 touchdowns against one pick, a sign of what the future holds for the Browns? Will receiver Odell Beckham Jr rebound from his season-ending knee injury?

Cleveland’s 1-2 punch at running back in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is potent, running behind an impactful offensive line. NFL coach of the year Kevin Stefanski was a stellar hire.

Defensively, though, the Browns could be in some jeopardy. Defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, cornerbacks Terrance Mitchell and Kevin Johnson, and safeties Karl Joseph and Tedric Thompson are all free agents.

Steelers Revealed

During Pittsburgh’s 11-0 season-opening 2020 run, there were plenty of naysayers insisting that the Steelers weren’t legitimate contenders. As things turn out, that pessimism was proven to hold validity.

Pittsburgh stumbled to a 1-6 finish. That included an embarrassing 48-37 home-field playoff loss to Cleveland.

Expect the Steelers to continue to trend downward in 2021. QB Ben Roethlisberger is a year older and Pittsburgh figures to be about $31 million over the salary cap.

That’s a real issue, considering that several key Steelers – LB Bud Dupree, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, cornerback Mike Hilton, offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, and running back James Conner – are entering free agency.

Cincinnati Kids

In 2020 first-overall draft pick Joe Burrow, the Bengals have their franchise QB to build around. However, like the beginnings of a jigsaw puzzle, there remains a multitude of pieces to be put into place before anyone can take Cincinnati seriously.

The jury remains out on Zac Taylor in terms of what he has to offer as an NFL head coach. It’s been so long since the Bengals won a playoff game (1990-91) that the team Cincy last beat in the postseason was the Houston Oilers.

Consistency Is Baltimore’s Ally

The Ravens have been there and done that. Winning division titles and going to the postseason are old hat for this franchise.

Cleveland are like that up-and-coming packing a big punch. The Browns are in with a chance, but the one thing they didn’t prove last season is that they can beat the Ravens head to head.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens (+110)

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