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The AFC North has turn into one of many trickiest puzzles for NFL bettors to resolve. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
The thriller of the AFC North
Coming into the 2023 NFL season, the AFC North was anticipated to be the hardest division in soccer, nevertheless it’s now additionally turn into the sportsbooks’ worst nightmare.
longest odds to win the AFC North and the shortest Tremendous Bowl odds
In keeping with DraftKings sportsbook, the Cincinnati Bengals have each the longest odds to win the AFC North and the shortest Tremendous Bowl odds of any crew from the division.
How can the projected worst crew in a bunch of 4 be the most probably to win the Tremendous Bowl? And what concerning the different three groups? Let’s dive into what’s already shaping up as one of many wackiest divisions in soccer historical past.
Easy methods to consider the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had been about +1000 and a top-five decide to win the Tremendous Bowl when the season kicked off firstly of September. They’d reached the AFC Championship Recreation two years working and had been to the Tremendous Bowl in 2021 after they fell to the Los Angeles Rams.
However regardless of the heavy reward, the Bengals’ hopes had been dashed when star QB Joe Burrow suffered a calf pressure throughout coaching camp. The expectation was that he would miss time throughout the common season, however Cincy opted to throw him on the market, and the outcomes have been lower than promising.
By three video games, Burrow is on tempo to submit profession worsts in yards per sport, touchdown-to-interception ratio, completion share, and QBR. His calf additionally very clearly limits his mobility and makes him a sitting duck for opposing edge rushers, which the AFC North is chock-full of.
So how can in addition they have them because the main Tremendous Bowl candidate of the 4?
DraftKings has the Bengals at +425 to win the division, behind the Cleveland Browns (+195), Baltimore Ravens (+195), and Pittsburgh Steelers (+350). So how can in addition they have them because the main Tremendous Bowl candidate of the 4?
The Bengals (+2000 to win the Tremendous Bowl) have stormed into the playoffs every of the final two seasons. They received eight straight video games to shut out 2022 and had been on a three-game win streak in 2021 earlier than they opted to relaxation their starters in Week 18.
Just one crew has began 0-3 and made the playoffs, which is why the Bengals threw Burrow again onto the sector on Monday regardless of a reaggravation of his harm. The choice paid off within the quick time period with a win, however the season will nonetheless be an abject failure in the event that they don’t make it again to the championship stage.
Panorama of the division
The remainder of the AFC North can also be nothing greater than guesswork at this level. The Browns, Ravens, and Steelers are all 2-1 and have cheap circumstances that they’re one of the best crew within the division.
The Ravens (+2000 Tremendous Bowl odds) might be 3-0 if not for a missed go interference name on fourth down in extra time. They’ve received 69.9% of their video games with Lamar Jackson beneath middle and have a powerful protection to enrich.
misplaced star working again Nick Chubb to a torn MCL
The Browns (+2500 Tremendous Bowl odds) have gotten off to a powerful begin, however they misplaced star working again Nick Chubb to a torn MCL in Week 2. However regardless of that, Deshaun Watson performed one of the best sport of his Browns profession in Week 3, which has offered optimism that they’ll hold their ship headed on its present trajectory towards the postseason.
The Steelers (+5000 Tremendous Bowl odds) are solely twenty second in scoring offense and have allowed the fifth-most yards per sport, however they’ve confirmed that they’ll win with this mannequin. They went 9-8 in 2022 with a rookie quarterback and lacking their greatest participant, T.J. Watt, for seven video games, and are an general higher crew this yr.
All 4 groups have robust checks over the weekend. The Browns will host the Ravens, the Steelers will tackle the stunning Houston Texans, and the Bengals will meet the stout Tennessee Titans.
The Ravens are 19-3-1 towards the unfold of their final 23 video games as underdogs and are +2.5 towards the Browns.
The Steelers are 2-1 ATS, however that is the primary time they’ve been favored in 2023.
The Bengals 0-2-1 ATS and are going through a Titans squad that’s 2-1 ATS and began final yr 8-2 ATS.
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