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NFL Betting Preview - AFC North

The 2015/16 NFL season will be kicking off shortly and now’s a good time to take a look at all 32 teams and the eight divisions as well as the current bet365 odds of each club winning the Super Bowl. The games get underway on September 10 and the regular season wraps up next January 3. The postseason begins January 9 with the Super Bowl taking place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7. Bettors should remember to check team lineups before making their wagers since rosters may change before the season kicks off due to injuries.

Here’s a quick look at the AFC North, led by the Baltimore Ravens:

NFL Betting Preview – AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

  • 2014 Record: 10-6
  • Predicted 2015/16 finish: 11-5 first place
  • Odds of winning Super Bowl: 22/1
  • Quarterback Joe Flacco and his teammates will need to adjust to another offensive coordinator under Marc Trestman, but shouldn’t really have a problem in doing so. Wide receiver could be a question mark with veteran Steve Smith getting older, but running back Justin Forsett and rookie Javorious Allen should have good seasons. The team has a good pass rush and secondary and could go all the way to the Super Bowl this time around. Fans should look to defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan to breakout this year after Haloti Ngata was traded to the Detroit Lions. First-round draft choice Breshad Perriman could also impress as a rookie along with second-rounder Maxx Williams at tight end.

Key newcomers:

  • Breshad Perriman (wide receiver)
  • Kendrick Lewis (free safety)
  • Cassius Vaughn (cornerback)
  • Matt Schaub (quarterback)
  • Kyle Arrington (cornerback)

Key losses:

  • Tyrod Taylor (quarterback)
  • Terrence Cody (nose tackle)
  • Victor Hampton (cornerback)
  • Gino Gradkowski (center)
  • Haloti Ngata (defensive tackle)
  • Antoine Cason (cornerback)
  • Jacoby Jones (wide receiver)
  • Owen Daniels (tight end)
  • Pernell McPhee (outside linebacker)
  • Torrey Smith (wide receiver)
  • Aaron Ross (cornerback)

Cincinnati Bengals

  • 2014 Record: 10-5-1
  • Predicted 2015/16 finish: 10-6-second place
  • Odds of winning Super Bowl: 33/1
  • Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is depended on for his tackles and his recovery from knee surgery will be a key. However, he could be sidelined for the first month or so. If he’s out, then Vincent Rey, A.J. Hawk and third-round draft choice Paul Dawson are options to play next to linebackers Rey Maualuga and Emmanuel Lamur. Quarterback Andy Dalton leads the offense with help from running backs Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill while Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson and Burfict lead the defensive unit. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is due for a breakout season after starting just five starts over the past three years. Other players returning from injury include tight end Tyler Eifert and wide receiver Marvin Jones.

Key newcomers:

  • Cedric Ogbuehi (offensive tackle)
  • Denarius Moore (wide receiver)
  • Josh Johnson (quarterback)
  • Pat Sims (defensive tackle)
  • AJ Hawk (inside linebacker)
  • Michael Johnson (defensive end)

Key losses:

  • Dane Sanzenbacher (wide receiver)
  • Jason Campbell (quarterback)
  • Jermaine Gresham (tight end)
  • Robert Geathers (defensive end)
  • Taylor Mays (strong safety)
  • Terence Newman (cornerback)
  • Marshall Newhouse (tackle)
  • Mike Pollak (guard)

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • 2014 Record: 11-5
  • Predicted 2015/16 finish: 10-6-third place
  • Odds of winning Super Bowl: 22/1
  • Outside linebacker Bud Dupree was acquired to help the pass rush and will be used as the left outside linebacker. He’ll be competing with Arthur Moats, Jarvis Jones and James Harrison for the team’s air of outside linebacker jobs as Pittsburgh hopes to improve on last year’s mediocre sack total of 33. Wide receivers Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant should improve along with Antonio Brown. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is surrounded by some fine talent, but the young defense has a new look to it with several roster moves with Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Brett Keisel gone. It looks like defensive end Cameron Heyward will enjoy a breakout campaign after struggling somewhat last year even though he led the team in sacks.

Key newcomers:

  • DeAngelo Williams (running back)
  • Bud Dupree (outside linebacker)
  • Sammie Coates (wide receiver)
  • Senquez Golson (cornerback)

Key losses:

  • Ike Taylor (cornerback)
  • Jason Worilds (outside linebacker)
  • Troy Polamalu (safety)
  • Brett Keisel (defensive end)
  • Lance Moore (wide receiver)
  • Brice McCain (cornerback)
  • Ben Tate (running back)

Cleveland Browns

  • 2014 Record: 7-9
  • Predicted 2015/16 finish: 6-10-fourth place
  • Odds of winning Super Bowl: 80/1
  • The Browns made several player moves during the offseason in hopes to improve this year, but they’ll be without Josh Gordon for the season as he was suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. There’s a battle for the starting quarterback bob between Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel and draftee center should offer something as a rookie. Running backs Duke Johnson, Isiah Crowell and Terrance West all need good seasons for the Browns to contend for the postseason. Fans should expect cornerback Justin Gilbert to have a breakout year after apparently maturing over the offseason and playing alongside Joe Haden. In addition, center Alex Mack is back after recovering from his leg injury and the team should have a better run defense.

Key newcomers:

  • Cameron Erving (center)
  • Josh McCown (quarterback)
  • Randy Starks (defensive tackle)
  • Brian Hartline (wide receiver)
  • Eric Olsen (center)
  • Robert Housler (tight end)
  • Dwayne Bowe (wide receiver)
  • Danny Shelton (nose tackle)
  • Tramon Williams (cornerback)

Key losses:

  • Buster Skrine (cornerback)
  • Miles Austin (wide receiver)
  • Sione Fua (defensive tackle)
  • Jordan Cameron (tight end)
  • Brian Hoyer (quarterback)
  • Paul McQuistan (guard)
  • Jim Leonhard (free safety)
  • Jabaal Sheard (defensive end)
  • Ahtyba Rubin (defensive tackle)

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