Only a half-game separates first from fourth in the AFC North heading in to Week 12 with all four teams still very much in playoff contention. The parity has created an interesting situation heading in to the final few weeks of the regular season.
While as many as three teams from the division can make the postseason, the more likely scenario has one team making it as the AFC North champion while the other three end up on the outside looking in after beating up on one another down the stretch. While the Baltimore Ravens still technically sit third in the division they deserve to be the favorites to win the AFC North based on their talent and a favorable schedule the rest of the way.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Odds To Win AFC North: +250
The Ravens are one-half game back of both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh at 6-4, but they own the best point differential in the AFC North at +80. On top of that, they also have the most favorable schedule the rest of the way.
A trip to New Orleans coming off the bye this week is arguably their toughest remaining test with road games at Miami and Houston, as well as home games against San Diego, Jacksonville, and Cleveland. Baltimore should be able to win all three of its home games and even a split of the two road games would move them to 10-6. A pair of losses to Cincinnati complicates their situation a little bit but a tough schedule the rest of the way could hamper the Bengals.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Odds To Win AFC North: +180
Cincinnati won its two games against the Ravens and own the best record in the division at 6-3-1, but they will play four of their final six games on the road. The Bengals will have to travel to Houston, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, and while there is a chance they could win all four, the tough travel schedule could catch up to them at some point. Cincinnati’s remaining two home games are against Pittsburgh and Denver, and if they fail to win at least one of them, they may need to sweep all four remaining road games just to hold off the Ravens at the top of the AFC North standings.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds To Win AFC North: +200
The Steelers will certainly have a chance to take the division crown as their seven wins is the most in the AFC North right now. However, Pittsburgh barely scraped past the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football and that came on the heels of losing to the New York Jets the week before. With losses to the Jets and Buccaneers already, they will have nobody to blame but themselves if they miss the postseason.
The Steelers still have two games against Cincinnati, will host New Orleans and Kansas City, and go on a road trip to Atlanta. That is a tough schedule for a team that has dropped some winnable games. It’s hard to see them finishing with a better record than Baltimore.
4. Cleveland Browns
Odds To Win AFC North: +800
Cleveland is the wild card in this group as a team that has played well but doesn’t look like a playoff team just yet. The Browns will play four of their final six games on the road with their only home dates against Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Believe it or not but they might still have a tough time finishing the year above .500. The Browns have had a very easy schedule to this point in the season but they’ll need to get a huge boost by the return of Josh Gordon and get improved defensive play if they’re to be in the hunt.
