2013 NFL Predictions: AFC North Division Odds and Picks – Steelers the Favorite

2013 NFL Predictions: AFC North Division Odds and Picks – Steelers the Favorite:The AFC North has quietly become a powerhouse in the NFL the past couple of seasons. One year after three of the four teams made the playoffs, the division set two teams to the postseason in 2012, including the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens also won the division in 2011 and went on to reach the conference title game, and the AFC North has actually had a team in the AFC title game in each of the past three seasons and has had a team in the Super Bowl three times in the last five years. Of course, sustaining success for a long period of time in the NFL isn’t easy, and heading into the 2013 NFL season, the division appears to have multiple teams capable of contending once again. With that in mind, here is a closer look at how the AFC North stacks up in 2013.

1.      Cincinnati Bengals (Prediction: 10-6)

Coming of their second straight playoff appearance, the Bengals have their most talented and balanced roster in more than a decade. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins heads one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, and Cincinnati’s defense as a whole should be one of the best units in football yet again. The offseason addition of veteran linebacker James Harrison could be particularly valuable from a leadership standpoint. On offense, receiver A.J. Green is already one of the best at his position, and the Bengals added some more firepower in the draft by adding tight end Tyler Eifert and running back Giovani Bernard. Throw in a solid offensive line, and there is no reason Cincinnati’s offense should be deadly. Decent play from quarterback Andy Dalton is all it should take for the Bengals to win the division, and a big year for the third-year QB could  make Cincinnati Super Bowl contenders.

2.      Baltimore Ravens (Prediction: 9-7)

Coming off their Super Bowl win, Baltimore’s roster was ravaged in the offseason. Nine starters are gone, including future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and playoff heroes Paul Kruger and Anquan Boldin. Meanwhile, starting tight end Dennis Pitta went down for the season with a hip injury in training camp. Yes, quarterback Joe Flacco is still around to run an offense that features running back Ray Rice and receiver Torrey Smith, and the defense should be able to get plenty of pressure on opposing QBs with Elvis Dumervil joining Terrell Suggs on the edge. Still, the Ravens lost a ton of talent and even more leadership, and it will be up to Flacco and his big new contract to keep the team afloat. The Ravens won’t go down without a fight, but just making the postseason will be tough.

3.      Pittsburgh Steelers (Prediction: 8-8)

Pittsburgh battled injuries and a below average offense much of last season, and ended up missing the playoffs with an 8-8 record. With an offense that is still in transition and a talented but even older defense, it could be tough for the Steelers to make any major strides in 2013. Granted, a young offensive line should be better with a year of experience, and second-round pick Le’Veon Bell could be the answer at running back. However, Mike Wallace is gone, leaving Ben Roethlisberger with an unproven group of receivers. Meanwhile, Troy Polamalu and company aren’t getting younger on the defensive side of the ball, and the unit loses some size upfront with the departure of tackle Casey Hampton and some serious leadership with the loss of James Harrison. Progress on the offensive of the ball will likely be offset by regression on defense, keeping the Pittsburgh around the .500 mark and out of the playoffs.

4.      Cleveland Browns (Prediction: 5-11)

The good news for the Browns is that they have a respectable offensive line led by star left tackle Joe Thomas and a feature back in Trent Richardson that had an impressive rookie year in 2012. The bad news is that quarterback Brandon Weeden still has a lot to prove heading into his second year, and the receiving corps remains one of the NFL’s worst. Overall, the offensive woes that contributed to a 5-11 campaign in 2012 are still a major concern. On the flip side, the Browns have assembled a solid defensive unit. Defensive end Paul Kruger was signed to bolster an already stout defensive front, and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo was drafted in the first round to give the unit a playmaker off the edge. Throw in cornerback Joe Haden, and the Browns defense will keep them in a lot of games. That being said, the offense is still a major work in progress, and it will keep Cleveland in the AFC North cellar.

Odds to win the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens +300
Cincinnati Bengals +200
Cleveland Browns +650
Pittsburgh Steelers +150

Check the odds to win 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII plus daily NFL vegas odds and lines updated daily throughout the year at NSAwins.com!

Need Expert Winning NFL Predictions and Picks? Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning NFL Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in NFL Football this season including 2013 NFL Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!