Our 2013 AFC North preview is probably one of the more interesting ones that you’ll have to pay attention to if you want to beat the NFL Futures odds. This is the toughest division in the league, and odds to win the AFC North are as tight as could be, as at least three of the four teams are expected to challenge for the division title.

Normally speaking, the year after winning the Super Bowl, you’re an overwhelming favorite to win your division. In the AFC North though, you’re barely a favorite, and at many online sportsbooks, the Baltimore Ravens (2013 AFC North Odds: 1.80 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook) aren’t even the definitive choice. QB Joe Flacco had one of the best postseasons that any quarterback has ever had, and he was paid in the offseason as a result. However, GM Ozzie Newsome had a lot of tough decisions to make after winning the Super Bowl, and the purge was certainly on right away. WR Anquan Boldin was traded for virtually nothing to the San Francisco 49ers, LB Ray Lewis retired, and S Ed Reed was allowed to walk to the Houston Texans. LB Paul Kruger was a salary cap casualty as well. Now, FB Vonta Leach, who paved the way for RB Ray Rice and RB Bernard Pierce to have great seasons last year, has been cut. Granted, there are some new faces to help fill the gaps, namely LB Elvis Dumervil, who should be a prototypical mean and angry Baltimore defender. This unit should be good once again, but will it be nasty? If so, it needs a bona fide leader that can strike fear into opponents like Reed and Lewis used to. We aren’t optimistic that the Ravens are going to get back to the playoffs to have a chance to defend their Lombardi Trophy.

The team to watch out for is the Cincinnati Bengals (2013 Odds To Win AFC North: 2 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook). The Bengals have been growing over the course of these last two seasons, and they should be proud of the fact that they have gotten to the postseason twice in that time in spite of the fact that it was beaten in both games by the Houston Texans. QB Andy Dalton is quietly a very good young quarterback, and the Bengals have a good combination along the front with RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis and WR AJ Green. The defense is improving, and bringing in LB James Harrison will only help build the intensity of this very underrated defense. We think that the Bengals could be a team to watch out for this year, and if we had to guess between the three best teams in the North, this is the team.

It’s odd to see the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Odds to win the AFC North: 2 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook) as the third choice in the division title race in the AFC North. This team though, was all sorts of average last season. Going 8-8 wasn’t going to cut it for a team that was expected to do well, but that might be the end result again this year. The team cut ties with both WR Mike Wallace and LB James Harrison, and though the core is still good, it is younger than you would think and might take some time to gel. The offensive line is going to be the key for this season. QB Ben Roethlisberger can’t be forced into errant throws time and time again, and he is going to need some help from his rushing attack, something that he just didn’t get at all last season. We aren’t worried about filling the voids of the players that are gone, but we are worried about finding a running back that can really carry the load for 1,000 yards. Perhaps RB Le’Veon Bell could be that man if he has himself a good summer.

Rebuilding is still the key for the Cleveland Browns (Current AFC North Odds: 7.50 to 1 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook). However, we really do like what Cleveland has started to assemble. QB Brandon Weeden probably isn’t the long term answer at the quarterback position, but the team didn’t panic in the NFL Draft and is staying the course. Instead, the club has built a defense that all of a sudden looks pretty darn formidable. The receivers are okay, but they aren’t overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination. We know that there is a lot of work to do for RB Trent Richardson and company to become one of the best teams in this division, but with a new coach, new ownership, and essentially a totally new direction to travel in, the Browns might be ahead of schedule. We don’t think that Cleveland can win this division, but to finish 8-8 isn’t out of the question with a relatively easy schedule to work with.

2013 NFL Odds to Win AFC North Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 6/13/13):
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Baltimore Ravens Win AFC North +180
Field Wins AFC North -200

Cincinnati Bengals Win AFC North +200
Field Wins AFC North -230

Pittsburgh Steelers Win AFC North +200
Field Wins AFC North -230

Cleveland Browns Win AFC North +750
Field Wins AFC North -950

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):
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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):
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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):
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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):
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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