2021 AFC North Odds: Futures, Predictions, Picks, NFL Betting Preview

No longer a two-team division, the 2021 AFC North odds are mighty interesting as the NFL regular-season fast approaches. The NFL season kicks off with Week 1 beginning on Thursday, Sept. 9 and BetRivers has the latest game odds, futures, player, and team markets.

The AFC North poses plenty of questions this season: Are the Browns for real? Do the Pittsburgh Steelers have enough left in the tank? Can the Ravens get over the playoff hump? How good will the Bengals be with a healthy Joe Burrow? But while there are plenty of AFC North questions, we don’t have any of the answers.  Longtime Poker broadcaster and sports bettor David Tuchman is here to preview the best futures bets and 2021 AFC North odds he likes for the NFL regular season.

As for the NFL, there are a handful of futures bets I like on BetRivers.com and I’ll list them all here with a brief reason why we’re wagering on each one. Today, we’re touching on the AFC North.

Before you begin your Michigan Sports betting experience with BetRivers, you should take your time to analyze all the relevant data.

VSiN’s Danny Burke previews a rushing prop between Steelers RB Najee Harris and Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins, presented by BetRivers.

NFC ODDS PREVIEW: NFC EAST |NFC WEST | NFC NORTH | NFC SOUTH

AFC ODDS PREVIEW: AFC EAST ODDS | AFC WEST ODDS | AFC SOUTH ODDS

Click here for the full list of 2021 NFL futures

2021 AFC NORTH ODDS & FUTURES

BALTIMORE RAVENS ODDS
Win Total: 10.5 (-167/+135)
To Make Playoffs: Yes (-305), No (+235)
Division Finish: 1st (+120), 2nd (+150), 3rd (+450), 4th (+1300)
To Have 17-0 Record: Yes (+6000)
AFC Championship Odds: +650
Super Bowl Odds: +1400

Despite being the odds-on favorite to win the AFC North, the Ravens aren’t getting any respect from the betting public. Both the Browns (50%) and Steelers (33%) are backed by more public money to win the AFC North than the Ravens (11%). The Ravens are, however, backed by 32% of the AFC North bets, the second-largest percentage of ticket volume, which points to a healthy amount of parlay tickets.

CINCINNATI BENGALS ODDS
Win Total: 6.5 wins (+110/-122)
To Make Playoffs: Yes (+475), No (-670)
Division Finish: 1st (+2800), 2nd (+1200), 3rd (+400), 4th (-360)
To Have 0-17 Record: Yes (+5000)
AFC Championship Odds: +6600
Super Bowl Odds: +15000

The success of the Bengals in 2021 depends solely on the health of quarterback Joe Burrow. If he is fully healthy, expect the Bengals to keep moving in the right direction. But will he be at 100-percent for Week 1? Can he stay healthy for a full season?

I have the Cincinnati Bengals with a 28% chance to make the playoffs – based on that, their current price +475 represents value. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS ODDS:
Win Total: 10.5 wins (-108/-122)
To Make Playoffs: Yes (-225), No (+180)
Division Finish: 1st (+145), 2nd (+175), 3rd (+300), 4th (+1100)
To Have 17-0 Record: Yes (+5000)
AFC Championship Odds: +750
Super Bowl Odds: +1600

Baker Mayfield plays for the run-heavy Cleveland Browns and they figure to be winning more often than they have in the past, which is why I’m looking at his over/under passing totals. It’s currently set at 3950.5. The game script would dictate they’ll be running more than throwing in the 4th quarter.

Now because of this Mayfield’s passing totals are deflated – At this point, this feels like an overreaction. Remember each team plays 17 games now and with that extra game and a healthy Odell Beckham Jr, Mayfield should throw for around 4250 yards. 

Mayfield OVER 3950.5 yards is the play.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS ODDS:
Win Total: 8.5 (+110/-122)
To Make Playoffs: Yes (+170), No (-210)
Division Finish: 1st (+450), 2nd (+275), 3rd (+110), 4th (+475)
AFC Championship Odds: +2200
Super Bowl Odds: +4500

Rookie RB Najee Harris is the most popular non-QB in Rookie of the Year betting, backed by 12% of the total handle, trailing just Justin Fields and Trey Lance. While the public is backing the Browns to win the division (50% AFC North money, 44% bets), the Steelers are close behind with 33% of AFC North money and  17% bets). The bettors seem to have a good bit of faith in the Steelers, which is surprising given how the 2020 season ended. If you recall, Pittsburgh started 11-0 but lost four of its last five games.