AFC North: NFL Team-by-Team Season Preview
Adam Martin 
Our NFL season previews keep rolling on Free Bets, and for the second time this week, we're heading to the AFC, this time for our AFC North season preview.
For all things NFL betting on site, we have Adam Martin with us, and below, he guides you through the four teams in this division.
AFC North Season Preview
We now move on to the AFC North and look at one of the most exciting divisions in the NFL. This division is another one where three of the four teams could easily make it into the playoffs.
Here we go through all the big off-season moves and what we think the teams will end up doing this upcoming season.
Cleveland Browns
This team has been on a roller-coaster for a few years now and last year was no exception. Finishing with a 3-14 record meant they were the second worst team in the whole of the NFL last season.
Statistically their defence was not too bad. They were around the middle of the league against both the run and the pass, but the offence was horrible. When it came to their passing offence, they were the worst in the league and the run game was not much better.
Kevin Stefanski has been the head coach since 2020 and is back for another go this season. He won coach of the year in 2020 and 2023, which just shows how up and down it’s been for the Browns recently.
Stefanski has got Tommy Rees as his offensive coordinator and Jim Schwartz is back as defensive coordinator. Schwartz has a history of rejuvenating defences but then they drop away. Unfortunately for the Browns this season would be the time when his defences tend to drop away.
This free agency was largely taken up with rumours about if star edge rusher, Myles Garrett would be traded away or not. Eventually the team managed to persuade him to re-sign, paying him $40m a year. They also re-signed veterans Jack Conklin and Jerome Ford.
Unfortunately, they did lose a few guys on offence. Quarterback Jamies Winston has moved on and fan favourite Nick Chubb has also gone. They did manage to add some players though bringing in quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Also, Rayshawn Jenkins was added to the Safety room for veteran depth.
The draft ended up being an eventful weekend for the Browns as they traded away the second pick to the Jaguars. In doing so they missed out on Travis Hunter but got Michigan’s defensive tackle, Mason Graham. Some will argue they missed out on a generational talent and others will say they got one anyway and an extra first round pick next year.
In round two they bought in Carson Schwesinger and Quinshon Judkins. Both players will be starters straight away with lots of excitement over Judkins. They also bought in two quarterbacks in Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders was tipped to be a first-round pick in the draft but dropped to the fifth round unexpectedly. Having four quarterbacks on the roster is not ideal and it would be surprising if they were all there going into the season.
Verdict
The Browns are an organisation that doesn’t know who their quarterback is and so they are trying out four to see who sticks. They are coming off a 3-14 season and they still have quite a lot of holes in the team. This season is all about improving and trying to be better than 3-14. They will come fourth in the division.
Odds
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals started last season slowly and it eventually cost them. Finishing the season 9-8 meant that they just missed out on the playoffs. A massive disappointment now for a team that usually goes deep into the playoffs.
When you look at the stats, they really are a tale of two teams. The pass offence is great, and the run game is pretty good as well. The pass defence is alright, but the run defence is poor. Ultimately this will always cost the Bengals.
Zac Taylor is still the head coach going into this season but there are questions over how much he helps the offence. Many people believe that star quarterback, Joe Burrow, elevates Taylor when it should be the other way round.
Taylor brings back Dan Pitcher as his offensive coordinator and Al Golden is taking over as defensive coordinator after Lou Amaroumo got fired. The hope if Golden can improve this stuttering defence.
In free agency the Bengals got rid of a decent chunk of this poor defence. Mike Hilton, Vonn Bell, Germaine Pratt and Sheldon Rankins have all moved on. Also, right guard, Sheldon Rankins has gone as well.
They managed to re-sign quite a few of their main players including star wide receiver duo, Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They didn’t bring in many players during free agency, but they did bring in Samaje Perine to bolster the running back room and right guard, Lucas Patrick.
The Bengals had a bit of an odd draft which has got stranger as we have moved into training camp. Shemar Stewart was their first-round pick, and the edge rusher only signed his deal at the end of July. Having contract disputes with your first-round rookie pick is not great.
They also drafted two linebackers in Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter to help the defence become younger. One other potential exciting player they drafted was Tahj Brooks. The running back had a good college career and could help Chase Brown this season.
Verdict
This team should easily be in the playoffs. They have a great offence with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The defence needs to get better, and the hope is that new defensive coordinator Al Golden can do that. However, they desperately need to stop getting into contract disputes with their own players. If the paid them earlier, then it wouldn’t affect their record like it did last season.
Burrow will have to produce some magic again to get this team as far as they should be but if anyone can then Burrow can.
Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had a season last year that can only be described as very Steelers. Under Mike Tomlin they have never had a losing record in 17 years. 2024 was a similar story as they went 10-7.
The offence was middle of the pack and their defence was similar, although the pass defence was good enough to be a top 10 one. However, much has changed this off-season on the playing roster and better is expected.
Mike Tomlin remains at head coach for his eighteenth season. He brings back offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Both bring a ton of experience and know how to this team.
In free agency the Steelers made a lot of moves in a big attempt to compete now. Both of last years quarterbacks, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson have gone, along with running back Najee Harris and wide receivers George Pickens and Van Jefferson.
The defence also saw players moved on in Preston Smith, Larry Ogunjobi, Donte Jackson and Elandon Roberts. They did re-sign running back Jaylen Warren and star edge rusher TJ Watt to new deals.
With so many names moving on the Steelers had to go and get some guys in an experience is the key word this year. Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback for the upcoming season. They have also added D K Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Robert Woods and Kenneth Gainwell to the offence.
The defence has also had some big names added to it as well. Jalen Ramsey has come over from the Dolphins and Darius Slay for the Eagles to help the cornerback room.
In the draft the Steelers got themselves some excellent prospects in the first four rounds. Derrick Harmon will be a great defensive tackle in the NFL for many years to come. Kaleb Johnson is an exciting young running back who will replace Najee Harris and Jack Sawyer will be a solid edge rusher for them.
Verdict
Despite all this movement it feels that the Steelers will still go 9-8 or 10-7. Aaron Rodgers is not the quarterback that he once was, and the offence will take time to gel. The defence will still be amazing and that will always give them a chance.
A playoff berth should happen and a playoff win. However, making the Superbowl and winning the Lombardi feels unlikely.
Odds
Baltimore Ravens
One of the best teams in the league, the Baltimore Ravens feel like they have underachieved over the last few years. In 2024 they went 12-5 but still couldn’t get a win in the AFC Championship game.
Statistically they were exceptional on offence and were decent on defence. The only weakness was the pass defence and that wasn’t bad.
John Harbaugh is back for another season with Todd Monken as offensive coordinator and Zach Orr as defensive coordinator. All three are vital to the team having another good season and expect to push on again.
In free agency the Ravens didn’t make many moves, but they did make some important ones. Defensive players Tre’Various White, Malik Harrison and Brandon Stephens have all moved on.
They did bring back some big players for them as well. Derrick Henry signed a new deal and left tackle Ronnie Stanley is back as well. Rashod Bateman and Patrick Richard are also back to help the offence.
On top of that they signed Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie and John Jenkins to bolster the defence and Deandre Hopkins at wide receiver.
In the draft the Ravens got three good players over the first two days. Malaki Starks will be great in the NFL at Safety. Mike Green looks a seriously impressive edge rusher and offensive tackle, Emery Jones, will be a starter soon. After that they made eight more picks on day three, but they will mainly be depth pieces.
Verdict
The Ravens are still a very impressive team who are arguably the best in the NFL. It has reached a point where they must win the AFC Championship game at least. They have all the tools its just about if they can get over the line.
Odds
AFC North Betting Odds
Here's a look at how the AFC North looks with UK betting sites, who have already priced up the division this season.
Baltimore are the odds on favourites to win the division this season.
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Adam will be delivering more thoughts in his season previews, after that, time for his weekly NFL betting tips, covering the biggest games each week of the season.
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