Steelers Odds to Win AFC North Improving, Browns Still Favored

• Steelers looking to rebound after missing the NFL Playoffs last season for the first time since 2013
• The departure of stars Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell have left big roster holes for the Steelers to fill during the offseason
• The Cleveland Browns have been busy strengthening a roster that grinded out a 7-8-1 record in 2018, and look poised to claim their first divisional title since 1989

It has been a tough year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season was plagued by off-field drama that brought the future of head coach Mike Tomlin into question. It then ended with the departures of running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Antonio Brown. The Steelers finished the 2018 NFL season on a dismal 2-4 straight up run and outside the NFL playoff picture for the first time since 2013.

That hasn’t stopped the Steelers’ strong position in NFL futures, with the team making steady gains since opening with NFL divisional odds of +250 to win the AFC North in sportsbooks.

Odds to Win AFC North

*Odds taken on 04/23/19

Complicating matters in Pittsburgh are the recent accusations of racism levelled by former Steelers’ players against quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In addition, questions remain as to whether the team did enough over the winter to fill the roster holes left by Bell and Brown while also addressing other needs.

Departure of Brown, Bell Left Steelers with Huge Offseason Challenge

The loss of Brown and Bell is a huge blow to the Steelers. The dynamic duo combined to score 20 total touchdowns during the 2017 NFL campaign. With Bell sitting out the 2018 season while seeking a new contract, Brown set a new career high with 15 scores, while racking up 1,297 receiving yards.

However, with Bell on the sidelines, James Conner seized the opportunity to become the team’s primary backfield threat. The second-year rusher displayed his versatility in 2018, amassing 1,470 combined yards and 13 total touchdowns, enabling the Steelers to address Bell’s absense from within.

https://twitter.com/DylansRawTake/status/1105851332777463818

With Brown leaving town for Oakland in a deal that netted Pittsburgh a pair of draft picks in this week’s NFL Draft, the team turned to the free agent market to bolster their downfield presense, adding Donte Moncrief.

The 25-year-old is unlikely to entirely replace the offense lost with Brown’s departure, but will serve as a complement to Juju Smith-Schuster, who will be expected to build on a breakthrough campaign in 2018, when he recorded 1,426 receiving yards and seven scores.

Big Ben Remains Key to Steelers’ Success

Despite the Steelers’ disappointing finish to 2018, and souring mood in the dressing room, Roethlisberger enjoyed another outstanding season, leading the NFL with 452 completions and 5,129 passing yards.

https://twitter.com/TheInsideZone/status/1080799215641681920

Big Ben remains the key to the Steelers’ bid to return to the top of the AFC North standings, not to mention their hopes of rewarding sports bettors as a +2500 bet on the Super Bowl odds. However, despite improving to a short +175 wager to win the AFC North, the Steelers can expect to face stiffer completion from divisional rivals in 2019.

Most notably will include the Cleveland Browns, who continue to lead the way as +140 favorites to claim their first divisional title since winning the old AFC Central way back in 1989.

Browns Turn the Corner, Emerging as Legitimate Threat in 2019

After a decade of futility that included a dismal 1-31 total record over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, the Browns finally turned the corner in 2018, amassing a respectable 7-8-1 record.

With Baker Mayfield quickly establishing himself as a legitimate NFL quarterback, the Browns have taken steps to build around him.

Browns Offseason Acquisitions:
– Odell Beckham Jr.
– Kareem Hunt
– Jaelen Strong
– Olivier Vernon
– Sheldon Richardson
– Demetrius Harris
– Adarius Thomas
– Kendall Lamm
– Eric Kush
– Phillip Gaines
– Bryan Witzmann
– Eric Murray
– Morgan Burnett
– Garrett Gilbert

— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) April 5, 2019

In addition to acquiring star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in a trade with the beleaguered New York Giants, the team are also gambling on a couple of reclamation projects.

Those coming in the form of receiver Jaelen Strong and rusher Kareem Hunt, who would provide the Browns with a dominating backfield alongside Nick Chubb, who is coming off an impressive NFL debut in 2018, piling up 1,145 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ravens’ 2018 Success Built on Weak Late-Season Schedule

Division champions with a 10-6 record in 2018, the Baltimore Ravens are pegged as an intriguing +300 bet to once again finish atop the AFC North. While the Cincinnati Bengals return to the drawing board as +1400 longshots following a disappointing 6-10 campaign.

.@Chargers were ready to "blow the doors off" to clench their wild card win over the Ravens. QB Philip Rivers talks about the team's strategy post-game. #LACvsBAL pic.twitter.com/y8JbYnLKXU

— KCAL News (@kcalnews) January 6, 2019

The Ravens benefited from the late-season emergence of rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, which made veteran Joe Flacco expendable. However, the difference between the Ravens and the NFL’s elite became apparent in their lopsided 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card Weekend.

In addition, the Ravens’ benefited from a weak schedule during their 6-1 SU stretch run, including dates with five non-playoff teams that leaves doubt as to whether they are a legitimate threat to return to the playoff contention in 2019.

Pick: Browns to win the AFC North (+140)