The dog days of summer are coming to an end. Fall is right around the corner. Only a few more weeks of preseason, College Football starts next Saturday.
Next week, we’ll be double dipping to include another NFL preview as well as all of our picks for the upcoming College Football season.
But until then - it’s the AFC North!
AFC North:
Divisions played: AFC East and NFC North
Odds to win division:
Ravens -150
Bengals +260
Steelers +480
Browns +3500
Baltimore Ravens
2024 Record: 12-5
2025 Win Total: 11.5 (-115)
SB Odds: +700
John Harbough enters year 18 with the Ravens. Lamar Jackson came up short in the 2024 MVP voting but his stats were absurd. Although they continue to improve, it’s been a similar story for the Ravens in the playoffs. Lamar will enter year three with OC Todd Monken.
It’s beginning to feel like now or never for Baltimore. Opening the 2025 season as the odds on favorite to take home the Lombardi. Look ahead lines have them favored in 15 games, underdogs only at Kansas City and Buffalo.
Last year the defense was solid but nothing impressive. They got better and better throughout the season, which is a testament to Harbaugh and 1st year DC Zachary Orr. Baltimore added Malaki Starks (S, UGA) and Mike Green (LB, Marshall) in addition to signing former Packer, Jaire Alexander. All great moves that should signal a better defensive effort. They stacked up 11 draft picks, but most of them were in later rounds.
It was a relatively quiet offseason as the only noteworthy signing was DeAndre Hopkins, who is well past his prime, but could pair nicely with Zay Flower and Rashod Bateman.
The big story for the Ravens last year was picking up Derrick Henry. There was some skepticism that he might be reaching the end of his road, but his stats said otherwise.
Absolute monster and the 1-2 rushing combo of Jackson/Henry is proving to be nearly impossible to stop… at least in the regular season.
The Ravens were THE HEALTIEST team last year and all five of their losses came by a single possession.
The most painful loss was in the postseason when Mark Andrews made the drop heard round the world.
There is truly no weakness on this roster. Great offense. Strong defense. One of the best coaches in the NFL.
They did cut Justin Tucker, which would make losing in the postseason on a missed FG all too poetic.
If it’s now or never, the Degen crew is leaning towards never.
The Picks:
Lamar Jackson UNDER 4.5 Rushing TD’s -130 (Steak)
Cincinatti Bengals
2024 Record: 9-8
2025 Win Total: 9.5 (-120)
SB Odds: +2200
Joe Burrow needs help.
He led the league in yards and touchdowns.
Ja’marr Chase led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Everywhere else needs work. Running backs - questionable. Offensive line - terrible. The defense is falling off a cliff.
Burrow saw the lowest blitz rate, but the highest hit rate in 2024 (Sharp). Joe Cool can do it all, but it sure would be a hell of a lot better if he had some time.
Even with the deficiencies on offense Cincy will able to put up absurd numbers. That’s how good the Burrow/Chase connection is.
The concern and it’s a massive one is on defense.
Sam Hubbard retired. Although the deal isn’t finalized, Trey Hendrickson ended his holdout and returned to practice, which signals a deal could be close.
They added Shemart Stewart (DE, Texas A&M) and Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina) in the early rounds of the draft. But this defense is more than a few nice picks away from where they need to be. Especially, if they want to make a strong postseason push.
Lou Anrumo was fired after a six year stint as DC. Al Golden will be coming in, but don’t expect a massive turnaround.
This team is high-highs and low-lows.
Highs: Joe Burrow. Arguably the best WR duo in the league.
Lows: Defense. O-line.
Certainly not the recipe for a Super Bowl, but enough for excitement!
They play a middle of the pack schedule, but last year they played one of the easiest schedule of offenses and the D still struggled.
Not looking to buy or sell this team, looking for a little piece of Burrow. Just for kicks.
The Picks:
Joe Burrow OVER 4150.5 Passing Yards (-120) Greg
Cleveland Browns
2024 Record: 3-14
2025 Win Total: 4.5 (-160)
SB Odds: +35000
The Browns have tried everything to get a QB since the beginning of time.
It’s barley been three years since they let Baker go and they’ve run through almost a dozen different starters.
Leveraging your future for Deshaun Watson has its cost. And this one was a doozy!
The plethora (SAT word, nbd) of draft picks, losing Baker, and now comes the aftermath of Watson’s contract. He has a $36M cap hit this year, and it’s likely to increase next year.
2025 is going to be an experience to say the least.
Joe Flacco. Kenny Pickett. Dillion Gabriel. Sheduer Sanders. Who knows how this is going to shake out. But we’re along for the train wreck.
The Browns are at rock bottom. The QB situation, a quiet free agency (see Watson’s contract), and they play the 2nd hardest schedule. It goes on...
Cleveland is down and the NFL stomped on ‘em. Their first SIX games are against teams that went to the playoffs last year.
Jerome Ford and 2nd round draft pick Quinshon Judkins (RB, OSU) aren’t much to look forward to.
The WR core is brutal. Led by Cedric Tillman, Jerry Juedy, and Diontae Johnson.
Truly nothing to be excited about on offense. But hey, maybe…just maybe Gabriel or Sanders will work out. ONE TIME CLEVELAND! One time you have to get lucky and land the guy, right?
The defense is a different story. It’s been their strength (not saying much) for years and 2025 will be no different. In rounds one and two they snagged Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) and Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA).
Myles Garrett got PAID and they will be very strong up front with a formadable secondary behind them.
This could be Kevin Stefanski’s last year. He’s five years in and despite winning COY twice, it might be time for a clean slate. Bringing in Tommy Rees as OC does nothing, but it’s an attempt at trying something new.
Although the Browns feel like a very safe bet on the under, we’re laying off across the board.
They play the division tough. The win total is one of the lowest in the NFL. The defense can shut down opponents. And it’s not far fetched to see one of these QBs get hot for a few weeks.
A fade feels too easy, buying in feels too stupid. Happy sitting on the sidelines watching how this one plays out.
The Picks:
None
Pittsburgh Steelers
2024 Record: 10-7
2025 Win Total: 8.5 (-115)
SB Odds: +4000
Aaron Rodgers - you just burned down the Jets, what are you gonna do next?
Going to Pittsburgh for the farewell tour no one asked for!
Ok… it’s not that bad, but Pittsburgh had zero other options. Yet again, they neglected to make a move for a competent QB in the draft.
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are gone, leaving them with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. So in one hand signing Rodgers is a big positive, but in the other… it’s a QB north of 40 who may not even really want to play anymore.
Arthur Smith returns as OC. Was he good last year? Not really, but Matt Canada was the benchmark. In that regard it’s another “improvement” but only because the previous situation was atrocious.
Pittsburgh decided to move on from the George Pickens experiment, but replaced him with DK Metcalf. So at least they are trying to setup Rodgers for some sort of success with a legitimate weapon at wide receiver.
It’s been a tale of two cities in Pittsburgh for what feels like an eternity. Great defense. Terrible offense. That’s awesome if it’s 1978, but it’s 2025 and you gotta score some points, baby!
Tomlin has been a merchant of mediocrity for nearly a decade. 18 seasons without a losing record means significantly less when you keep getting destroyed in the Wildcard round.
The one saving grace is Tomlin has been amazing at managing egos over the years. Antonio Brown. Le’Veon Bell. He should be able to keep Rodgers in check.
Pittsburgh has desperately been trying to revamp their O-line, with little success. They get 2024 1st rounder (Troy Fantanu) back after missing all of last season and they desperatly need Broderick Jones to step up after paying a steep price in 2023.
At skill postion they have some potential. Najee walked and Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa) was drafted to split time with Jaylen Warren.
DK is talented, but his counter parts are Robert Woods, Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin.
On defense is where it gets exciting. They locked down TJ Watt. Brought in Darius Slay and traded for Jalen Ramsey (at the cost of Minkah Fitzpatrick). Drafting Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon) adds more beef up front. But the issues on offense make it tough to get overly excited.
Another brutal schedule lies ahead. Playing the ninth toughest with a Week 5 BYE. But it’s back loaded with the Ravens (x2), Lions, and Bills in four of their last six games. Critical to stack some wins early and avoid going 2-5 down the stretch like last year.
It’s insane, but the only teams better in one score games over the last two years are the Eagles and Chiefs (Sharp).
Somehow, someway, Tomlin keeps figuring it out.
At this point the Super Bowl for the Steelers is breaking their playoff drought and winning a Wildcard game. What good are winning seasons if this is your postseason?
Until the Steelers can find a real solution at the QB postion, unfortunately it feels like another season that ends in a Wildcard blowout.
The Picks:
TJ Watt DPOY +700 (Degen)
DK Metcalf UNDER 950.5 Recieving Yards +100 (Steak)
Steelers OVER 8.5 wins -115 (Steak & Greg)
Steelers to win Division +500 (Steak)
RECAP
AFC North Bets
Lamar Jackson UNDER 4.5 Rushing TD’s -130 (Steak)
Joe Burrow OVER 4150.5 Passing Yards (-120) Greg
TJ Watt DPOY +700 (Degen)
DK Metcalf UNDER 950.5 Recieving Yards +100 (Steak)
Steelers OVER 8.5 wins -115 (Steak & Greg)
Steelers to win Division +500 (Steak)