There’s no love lost in the AFC North, and the 2025 NFL season is sure to keep this longstanding tradition alive. With some of the biggest rivalries in the sport alive and well within this division, the AFC North always proves to be one of the most intriguing divisions in the NFL. Featuring several top squads hoping to find their way into a deep playoff run, each of the teams in the AFC North has something to prove in 2025.
Coming off of yet another sensational regular season, only to come up short in the postseason, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are back and better than ever. With their retooled roster, this may be the most dangerous version of this Ravens squad we’ve seen yet.
A new era has begun in the Steel City as Aaron Rodgers has taken the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with other exciting acquisitions such as D.K. Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey, now in the mix. Always a threat to upset, the Steelers could be a sleeper pick to win the AFC North.
Sporting one of the most high-powered offences in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to wash the foul taste of last season from their mouths as they look to return to the postseason and claw their way back into Super Bowl contention.
Lastly, the Cleveland Browns had their time in the sun, but it appears it’s back to the drawing board for the rebuilding Brownies. Still, the Browns sport a stellar defence and are loaded with young talent, perhaps a sped-up rebuild is in the works for this team?
Don’t miss out on any of the action of this thrilling division in 2025, place your bets on the latest AFC North odds and find the top moneymaking picks and predictions with our AFC North betting preview.
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AFC North – AFC South – AFC East – AFC West – NFC North – NFC South – NFC East – NFC West
Baltimore Ravens to Win the Super Bowl
Baltimore Ravens
Super Bowl Odds: +650
To Win Conference Odds: +340
Division Odds: -160
Odds to Make Playoffs: -550
Season Win Total: Over 11.5 (-130), Under 11.5 (+100)
2024 Record: 12-5
Key Additions: CB Jaire Alexander, WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LT Joseph Noteboom, LB Jake Hummel
Key Subtractions: CB Tre’Davious White, LB Malik Harrison, RG Josh Jones, CB Brandon Stephens, RG Partrick Mekari
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Ready to set the tone out of the gates in a Sunday Night Football clash, the Ravens will go toe-to-toe with the team that ended their season in 2024, the Buffalo Bills. Arguably, their biggest competition to win the AFC this season, this game against the Bills is sure to be personal for the Ravens, as well as a potential momentum booster. With an opportunity to prove themselves as the team to beat in the AFC early in Week 1, look for this primetime showdown to set the tone for the Ravens 2025 campaign.
Prop to Watch: Primed for yet another sensational season, look for Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton to be firmly in the mix for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Having just inked a four-year, $100M extension to make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL, Hamilton is here to show he’s worth every cent of that massive contract. As dynamic as they come, Hamilton has been fantastic over the past two seasons, racking up five interceptions, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and over 100 combined tackles. With his ability to impact the game at every level, look for Hamilton to lead this star-studded defence throughout the year, landing him his first piece of individual hardware as a pro.
Potential Breakout Player: After a shaky overall season from longtime starting tight end Mark Andrews, this could be the year that Isaiah Likely usurps the top spot on the depth chart for the Ravens. While Andrews finished the season strong, as he quickly approaches the wrong side of 30, his best years may be behind him. With Likely coming off of his best season yet, notching six touchdown grabs and just under 500 yards receiving, with an increase in targets and responsibility, the former fourth-round pick could see himself blossom with the Ravens. Having too much depth at a position is never a bad problem to have, but look for Likely to continue evolving his play as he sees an increase in snaps in 2025.
Betting Projection: Hands down the team to beat in the NFL this season, the Ravens are ready for the Super Bowl. With so many strong seasons behind them, this is their best shot to finally capture the AFC Championship and find themselves playing for the Lombardi Trophy. With elite quarterback play, a dominant run game, and a sensational defence, the sky’s the limit for the Ravens in 2025. Hammer everything and anything in favour of the Ravens this season as they exceed their win total, win the AFC North, and secure the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory since 2013.
Kyle Hamilton to Win DPOY
Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
To Win Conference Odds: +1800
Division Odds: +550
Odds to Make Playoffs: +135
Season Win Total: Over 8.5 (-110) Under 8.5 (-110)
2024 Record: 10-7
Key Additions: CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, LT Andrus Peat, QB Aaron Rodgers, WR D.K. Metcalf
Key Subtractions S Minkah Fitzpatrick, DT Larry Ogunjobi, CB Donte Jackson, RB Najee Harris, WR George Pickens
Most Important Game on the Schedule: In a late-season matchup that could make-or-break their 2025 season, the Steelers’ most important game of the year will come in Week 14 against the Ravens. Taking on the big dog of the AFC North, this will be the Steelers’ best chance to gain a competitive edge in the division standings. With a win over the Ravens on the road, this would cement them as a team to watch, as well as position them above the Bengals and Browns in the division standings. Expect a playoff atmosphere in this one as the Steelers take on the Ravens in an absolute thriller.
Prop to Watch: Having already claimed the regular-season sacks title three times in his career, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is primed to do so once again in 2025. Sporting one of the scariest defensive front sevens in the NFL, the Steelers pass-rush is going to live in their opponents’ backfield this season. With so much talent to consider, teams will struggle to contain Watt, as they won’t be able to game-plan for him effectively. Already a four-time All-Pro, watch as Watt puts worth another phenomenal season as the former DPOY once again leads the NFL in sacks this season.
Potential Breakout Player: Drafted into a run-centric offence, look for 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson to quickly develop into the running back of the future for the Steelers. With Najee Harris now in La La Land, Jaylen Warren certainly won’t cut it as a starting back. With a 22-year-old rusher in Johnson, who ran for 1,537 yards and 15 touchdowns in his All-American season with the Iowa Hawkeyes last year, this could be a match made in heaven. Expect to see plenty of touches for the young buck as he uses his versatile running ability to get snaps from all areas of the field. In the running for the Offensive Rookie of the Year race in 2025, look out for big things to come from Johnson this season.
Betting Projection: Don’t sleep on the Steelers in 2025; they’re a legit playoff threat. While oddsmakers don’t see them making the postseason, I firmly believe that we will see the Steelers secure not just a winning season, but another playoff berth. It’s been 22 years since the Steelers last finished a season with fewer than eight wins, having made the playoffs in four of the last five years. Sporting a much better unit than last season, a team that still managed to rack up 10 wins, expect head coach Mike Tomlin to continue squeezing every last drop of production out of this team as they cruise for over 8.5 wins, landing in the playoff bracket, and becoming a dark horse contender in the AFC.
T.J. Watt to Lead the NFL in Sacks
Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
To Win Conference Odds: +1000
Division Odds: +250
Odds to Make Playoffs: -150
Season Win Total: Over 9.5 (-110) Under 9.5 (-110)
2024 Record: 9-8
Key Additions: TE Noah Fant, RB Samaje Perine, RG Lucas Patrick, LB Oren Burks, DT Tedarrell Slaton
Key Subtractions: DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Germaine Pratt, DT Jay Tufele, LB Akeem Davis-Gather, LB John Bachie
Most Important Game on the Schedule: In their first matchup against a true Super Bowl contender, the Bengals will go up against the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Needing to prove that they’re more than just a one-trick pony, the Bengals will have a golden opportunity to vanquish one of the league’s most feared squads. With the Lions sporting one of the best offensive units in the NFL, this will also be a great test to see if the Bengals defence can stay strong and provide their offence some breathing room against elite competition.
Prop to Watch: After finishing the 2024 season a sliver under 5,000 passing yards, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is a sure thing to pass for 4,500+ yards this season. With the Bengals more than likely set for a shootout in every game they play this season, Burrow is going to be forced to move the ball downfield to his elite receiving group repeatedly throughout the year. With his ample passing attempts, yardage will follow for the league’s all-time leader in passing completion percentage. Having racked up 4,500 passing yards in two of the three seasons in which he played more than 10 games, look for Burrow to once again dominate through the air as he easily eclipses 4,500 yards.
Potential Breakout Player: In an optimal position for a deep threat wideout, look for Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton to find himself with a strong statistical output in 2025. Playing behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins within the Bengals wide receiver corps, Burton may not be a top option, but with such an aggressive passing attack, there is bound to be opportunities to prove himself. With teams focusing on Chase and Higgins, this could provide Burton the chance to take advantage of lax coverage, earning big pickups in turn. In 2024, Burton had 107 yards on just four receptions on the year. With an increase in targets, Burton could be set to explode in 2025.
Betting Projection: The Bengals may be fun to watch offensively, and their top players may just win you your fantasy league this season, but don’t expect to see the Bengals come anywhere close to a winning season in 2025. After earning a winning record by the skin of their teeth last season, the Bengals are in an even worse position in 2025 than they were a season ago. With their defence even more depleted, teams are going to score at will against the Bengals. As they’re forced to play from behind, the mental and physical pressure placed on top stars like Burrow and Chase is going to weigh increasingly heavily week by week. Fade the Bengals this season as they finish well below 9.5 wins, missing the playoffs, and wasting yet another prime year of Burrow & Chase.
 | To win Super Bowl | To win division | To make the playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | +650 | -160 | -550 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +2200 | +250 | -150 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +4000 | +550 | +135 |
| Cleveland Browns | +30000 | +3000 | +850 |
Cleveland Browns
Super Bowl Odds: +30000
To Win Conference Odds: +10000
Division Odds: +3000
Odds to Make Playoffs: +850
Season Win Total: Over 5.5 (+115) Under 5.5 (-145)
2024 Record: 3-14
Key Additions: LB Jerome Baker, S Rayshawn Jenkins, QB Joe Flacco, S Damontae Kazee WR DeAndre Carter
Key Subtractions: EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, QB Jameis Winston, WR Elijah Moore, EDGE James Houston, CB Mike Ford
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Coming just before their bye week, the Browns may not be a contender in the AFC, but they can at least prove to the NFL world that they’re ahead of the curve when it comes to fast-tracking their rebuild. That’s why the Week 8 tilt against the New England Patriots will be key in establishing what direction this Browns core will be. Facing another team in the AFC that is in a similar position to the Browns, a win over them would show that, amongst teams in their own power ranking, they are among the best, meaning they are progressing well toward becoming a playoff team once again.
Prop to Watch: Coming off of his first Pro Bowl season that saw him reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, expect to see Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to rack up ample yardage as he records 1,250+ receiving yards in 2025. Finishing just shy of this mark in 2024 at 1,229 yards, Jeudy has fit like a glove in the Browns offence and is sure to see an uptick in his targets after last year’s success. With few dependable wideouts currently established on the Browns roster, look for Jeudy to routinely chew up yardage as he secures greater than 1,250 receiving yards this season.
Potential Breakout Player: In a unique situation, the Browns have two candidates that could break out this season between rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shadeur Sanders. With veteran Joe Flacco set to be QB1 to begin this season, it is clear that by season’s end, this will have changed. After pre-season, Gabriel was named QB2, a logical landing spot granted that he was a third-round pick, whereas Sanders was selected shockingly in the fifth round. This quarterback battle is extremely close as both players claimed OPOY honours in their respective conferences in 2024, as well as overall stellar collegiate careers. They say game time is earned at practice, and this will ring true as both hungry prospects compete to become the team’s next starting quarterback.
Betting Projection: There’s no surprises in store for the Browns this season; this year is likely going to be about growth, development, and learning how to take a licking. The worst team in a strong division is always a tricky situation to be in, as six games of your season are already essentially forfeit. While the playoffs may be a pipe dream at this point, the Browns still have plenty to play for. Even so, fade their team output this year as they finish with under 5.5 wins as they finish at the bottom of the AFC North.