The AFC North has really been split right down the middle in recent years. Two of the teams have been great and have been postseason contenders every year, while the other two have struggled and struggled mightily. Check out whether our AFC North picks are changing this year.

The team that is the most interesting to watch this year is the Cleveland Browns (Current AFC North Odds: 12 to 1 at Oddsmaker Sportsbook). With a new West Coast offense installed, QB Colt McCoy really could be a star in the making after a solid rookie campaign last year. Look for rookie WR Greg Little and WR Mohammed Massaquoi to have significantly better seasons in this offense, while RB Peyton Hillis might take a step back. The defense is the sticking point for GM Mike Holmgren’s team, but there are definitely some great, young pieces that can be built around. The Browns might still be a year away, but this is a team that could have some great value should anything happen to any of the important Steelers or Ravens over the course of the season.

And what about those Baltimore Ravens (AFC North Lines: 1.35 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook)? What’s not to like? The defense, save for LB Ray Lewis and SS Troy Polamalu is still awfully young, and the offense is only getting better as QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice gain experience. Adding WR Lee Evans was crucial in the offseason, but the best signing might have been FB Vonta Leach, who arguably is the best fullback in the league. It’ll all come down to these two games with Pittsburgh once again to determine who is going to win the division crown in all likelihood.

The one team that we know has no chance whatsoever of doing anything useful this season is the Cincinnati Bengals (Odds to Win the AFC North: 30 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). QB Andy Dalton just doesn’t have it in him to lead an offense was largely no talent around him, and no matter how good of a coordinator that new OC Jay Gruden proves to be, there isn’t going to be enough against these outrageous defenses that this division has to offer. Oh yeah, and the defense for the Bengals? Don’t even ask about it. If Dalton and WR AJ Green don’t end up both putting up Rookie of the Year types of numbers, there’s nothing to even bother watching the Bengals about this year.

And then of course, there are the Pittsburgh Steelers (2011 AFC North Odds: 1 to 1.10 at Oddsmaker Sportsbook). QB Ben Roethlisberger will be in the fold for all 16 games this year barring injury, and that is only going to help out the continuity of this team even more. There’s nothing more that can be said about this defense either. This unit is just downright awesome and is the most consistent in the league. The black and gold are a shoe-in to be a playoff team this year.

2011 NFL Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 9/4/11):
(Get a HUGE 50% Bonus at 5Dimes.com When Using This Link)

Odds To Win AFC North
Baltimore Ravens 1.35 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 30 to 1
Cleveland Browns 10.80 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 1 to 1.20

Odds To Win Super Bowl
Baltimore Ravens 16.50 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 250 to 1
Cleveland Browns 200 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 13 to 1

AFC North Super Bowl Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 9/4/11):
(Get a EXCLUSIVE 100% Bonus at JustBet.com When Using This Link)

Odds To Win AFC North Division
Baltimore Ravens 1.25 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 26 to 1
Cleveland Browns 8.50 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 1 to 1.35

Super Bowl 46 Odds
Baltimore Ravens 15 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 110 to 1
Cleveland Browns 65 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10 to 1

AFC North Odds @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook (as of 9/4/11):
(Get a HUGE 100% Bonus at Oddsmaker.com When Using This Link)

2011 AFC North Odds
Baltimore Ravens 1.25 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 15 to 1
Cleveland Browns 12 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 1 to 1.10

AFC North Odds To Win the Super Bowl
Baltimore Ravens 14 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 75 to 1
Cleveland Browns 80 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 9 to 1

NFL Betting Odds @ BoDog Sportsbook (as of 9/4/11):
(Get a UNLIMITED 10% Bonus at BoDog.com When Using This Link)

AFC North Odds
Baltimore Ravens 1.35 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 20 to 1
Cleveland Browns 8 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 1 to 1.25

Super Bowl Odds
Baltimore Ravens 16 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 125 to 1
Cleveland Browns 80 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 15 to 1