ODDS TO WIN THE AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh won the division last season with a 10-6 record, the same as Cleveland but the Steelers swept both matchups for the tiebreaker. Cincinnati started 3-7 before rallying for a 7-9 mark. Baltimore was 4-2 before dropping nine straight and finished 5-11.

Pittsburgh remains the standard in this division but definitely have questions. The O-line didn't play well last season and they lost multi-time Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca in FA. While they finished No.1 in defense last season, they were susceptible to deep passes and received poor play from their safeties. They also have the toughest schedule in football, with games against the Jaguars, Giants, Redskins, Colts, Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys and Titans. What do those eight teams have in common? They were all playoff teams last season.

Cleveland has had all kinds of trouble with Pittsburgh (how about 1-15 SU in the last 16 meetings) and need to get at least a game from them to compete for the division crown. They have a tough schedule as well but not quite as bad as the Steelers. Unlike Pittsburgh, they were able to address weaknesses in the offseason. They traded for DLs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams and hope they can improve a defense that ranked 30th in '07. They did lose CB Leigh Bodden in the Rogers deal and the secondary will have to step up this season. Adding WR Donte' Stallworth was nice.

Cincinnati endured lots of offseason turmoil with WR Chad Johnson demanding a trade and they finally cut ties with the talented but troubled duo of MLB Odell Thurman and WR Chris Henry. They added OLB Keith Rivers in the draft but little else to upgrade a defense that ranked 27th last year and the O-line is trying to bounce back from a poor year based on injuries and general ineffectiveness.

Baltimore is having a three-way QB battle and none of the choices looks enticing. The defense may have one more dominant year in them before age and FA strips them of talent. New Off. Co. Cam Cameron could get a big year out of RB Willis McGahee but the wideouts still lack speed and the questions at QB are huge.

This is a two-team race and we like the Browns here. They are a little better value and are ascending. The Steelers could improve as a team but have a poorer record based on their hellacious schedule.

Our Pick - Cleveland

AFC North Betting Lines

Pittsburgh Steelers 1-1
Cleveland Browns 9-4
Cincinnati Bengals 7-2
Baltimore Ravens 6-1

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