The 2020 regular season is quickly approaching, and with the draft and free agency behind us, sports books are putting their final touches on odds to win NFL divisions. For some divisions this activity is a breeze. For instance, the AFC West will be the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, and the rest of the division.
But is that the case for the AFC North?
The 14-2 Ravens were one-and-done in the playoffs last year as the top seed, but has Lamar Jackson and the dynamic running attack convinced odds makers enough to have everything tilted towards Baltimore again?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes.
According to the sports book FoxBet.com, the Ravens are clear favorites to make it a three-peat as champions of the division. Take a look at their latest odds:
AFC North Division Odds
Ravens 1/2 (60.1% chance to win AFC North)
Steelers 3/1 (22.5%)
Browns 11/2 (13.9%)
Bengals 25/1 (3.5%)
The Steelers received a boost in their odds after video of Ben Roethlisberger was released and everything coming out of the Steelers' camp has been positive, as it pertains to the health of their franchise quarterback's elbow.
A unique aspect of this debate is how no team has ever won the AFC North three times in a row since its creation. However, if the Ravens are able to claim the title in 2020, they would be the first team to do so. It is also worth noting how out of all eight divisions, the Ravens' 60.1% odds of winning the division is second only to the Chiefs' 74% chance of claiming the AFC West.
Fans should remember odds are created to move money in one direction or another. In this instance, it is pushing the Steelers, and even the Browns, to the forefront for those who are betting on who will win the division. That is what sports books are created to do. The question is, would you put some of your hard earned cash down on the Steelers to win the division in 2020?
If you are curious what the other division odds look like, you can see them all here below:
AFC East Division Odds
Patriots 6/5 (41.1% chance to win AFC East)
Bills 13/10 (39.4%)
Jets 7/1 (11.3%)
Dolphins 10/1 (8.2%)
AFC South Division Odds
Colts 6/5 (41.9% chance to win AFC South)
Titans 17/10 (34.1%)
Texans 7/2 (20.5%)
Jaguars 25/1 (3.5%)
AFC West Division Odds
Chiefs 1/5 (74% chance to win AFC West)
Chargers 7/1 (11.1%)
Broncos 10/1 (8.1%)
Raiders 12/1 (6.8%)
NFC East Division Odds
Cowboys 1/1 (45.5% chance to win NFC East)
Eagles 7/5 (37.9%)
Giants 17/2 (9.6%)
Redskins 12/1 (7%)
NFC North Division Odds
Packers 3/2 (36.5% chance to win NFC North)
Vikings 8/5 (35.1%)
Bears 4/1 (18.3%)
Lions 8/1 (10.1%)
NFC South Division Odds
Saints 1/1 (44.9% chance to win NFC South)
Buccaneers 6/5 (40.8%)
Falcons 9/1 (9%)
Panthers 16/1 (5.3%)
NFC West Division Odds
49ers 1/1 (44.3% chance to win NFC West)
Seahawks 9/4 (27.2%)
Rams 7/2 (19.7%)
Cardinals 9/1 (8.8%)
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