Are the Steelers a clear favorite to win the AFC North?
As the NFL season carries on, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the leading teams for the AFC North title. For more than thirty years, these two teams have been battling to be the best and that rivalry has attracted millions of fans and sports bettors. Combined, these two teams have won 16 AFC North titles since 2002 and the Steelers are now the favorites to win the title this year. While the season is far from over, experts predict the Steelers will in fact win the division title. Whether that happens all comes down to the games played in the second half of the season.
Steelers Odds
The odds have definitely changed for the Steelers since the beginning of the season. The team opened with odds of winning the AFC North at +1200. Out of four teams, the Steelers’ odds were the longest. A lot has changed since those first games of the season and the Steelers are now a favorite to win the division title. The team is now at +150 to win at Stake, followed by the Bengals at +5000. That is a huge gap between the odds.
With a great run of games so far, the Steelers are ramping up for some challenges as they face division opponents, starting with the Ravens next week. This game alone could determine whether the Steelers will be the division winners. The odds are looking good at sportsbooks like Stake, where the Steelers are listed at +150 and the Ravens at -169. If they can pull off a win over the Ravens, they will take the lead in the division with just 7 games remaining.
For bettors, the Steelers are always an exciting option. The team has a history of strong performances, great comebacks, and excellent coaching. With top players added to the roster during the offseason, the Steelers have done their homework and have prepared for the upcoming battles against division teams.
Prepping for AFC North games
The Steelers have a tough second half of the season ahead. This next game will be a huge one as the Steelers will take on the Ravens and first place in the AFC North is at stake. This is the first AFC North division game for the Steelers this season. Six of the final 8 games will be against division opponents. In NFL history, no other team has ever played their first division game this late in the season.
The Baltimore game is attracting much attention since so much is on the line. However, coach Mike Tomlin remains confident. Of the past 8 games versus Baltimore, the Steelers have come out on top 7 times, including a sweep in 2023. These two teams have an amazing history and always put on a show for fans. This game will surely be one to attract wagers as many are placing bets on whether the Steelers will continue on a winning path to becoming the division champs.
The chances of the Steelers capturing the AFC North title hang on the next game. Facing Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, will prove to be a challenge. The Steelers will have a 59.2% chance of winning the division if they beat the Ravens, however, a loss drops that number down to 15.6%. For now, the Steelers are the favorite for becoming division champs, holding a 3-point lead over the Ravens at leading sportsbooks.
Can Pittsburgh win the title?
Every year, fans ask the same question. Where will the Steelers end up when the regular season ends? This NFL season is a special one as the AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions. It may come as a surprise, but sports analysts as well as the media believed the Steelers would end in last place when the season started. It hasn’t been since 1989 that the Steelers were in last place in their division, and at that time, they were in the AFC Central.
The team is getting some help from division opponents. The Bengals and the Browns have both had a rough season, and the Steelers are scheduled to play four games with these teams. These games look like they will be an easy win for Pittsburgh, further paving the road to a title. Of course, the Ravens still pose a threat. They are right on the heels of the Steelers in standings, with both teams having 7 wins, but the Steelers edge out on top with a win percentage of 0.778 and 2 losses.
Reasons the Steelers are the favorite
Being in the toughest division in the NFL means the Steelers have their work cut out. After having a successful first half of the season, the team is now the listed favorite for being the AFC North winners. Despite having to face the Ravens with a stacked roster, Pittsburgh stands a strong chance of winning the next key game. Here are a few of the reasons the Steelers are the favorite for bettors.
Quarterback room improvement
As far as quarterback play is concerned, the Steelers had a terrible season last year. There were just 13 passing touchdowns on the year using three quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. They were all sent off during the offseason and the Steelers brought Russell Wilson on board, along with Kyle Allen and Justin Fields.
Running game looks good
Arthur Smith took over being the offensive coordinator for the team and places a strong focus on the running game. With players like Najee Harris, this is good news for Pittsburgh. Harris has rushed more than 1,000 yards each season since 2021. Backup, Jaylen Warren has also put up amazing numbers. Together, the two running backs had 90 receptions, over 1,800 rushing yards, and 12 TDs in 2023.
Top defensive line
Mike Tomlin has always been able to get his players to perform well and he has T.J. Watt as an edge rusher. Watt has helped the team tremendously and the Steelers led the league for three of the seven years Watt has been playing. Linebacker Amax Highsmith boosts the defensive line along with Patrick Queen, a former Raven.
