The AFC North has long been the NFL's most attritional neighborhood, a division defined by elite defenses, bruising run games and bitter rivalries.
Pittsburgh Steelers took the crown by beating Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 18, but head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down to end his 19-year stint at Acrisure Stadium little over a week later.
They swooped to recruit Super Bowl XLV winner Mike McCarthy, while the Ravens also made a change by bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to replace John Harbaugh.
Over in Cincinnati, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor enters his eighth season with real pressure to turn things around after a lacklustre 6-11 campaign, while Cleveland Browns' main issue remains the lack of a serviceable passer despite the offseason loss of their defensive stud Myles Garrett.
Some of the main protagonists may have changed but, as training camps open across the league, the name of the game in the North remains the same - establishing and stopping the run.
The Ravens will feel they remain the best-equipped to do both and, if Lamar Jackson can stay healthy for the full year, they should have everything in place for a deep playoff run.
AFC North Division Winner betting picks and predictions
Baltimore Ravens to win AFC North (-110)
The Ravens enter 2026 with a new head coach, but more or less the same identity.
And there should be no rush to change a formula that has enabled them to win four of the eight AFC North division titles since Jackson was drafted in 2018.
The two-time NFL MVP is now in his prime and Baltimore know they have to maximise the team's potential in this championship window.
The addition of Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals strengthens their hand and diminishes a division rival as it addresses a weakness that emerged last year.
Baltimore allowed the fewest rushing yards in the AFC North again last year but were constantly victimized through the air, giving up the third-most passing yards in the NFL.
They remain fully committed to the run behind durable rusher Derrick Henry and change-of-pace back Justice Hill, while in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker, the Ravens 'wide receiver corps will help Jackson by stretching the field.
It is hard to see any of their rivals living with them if it all goes to plan with the Steelers potentially suffering a drop-off as the team adjusts to a new coach for the first time in almost two decades.
The Bengals remain dangerous if Joe Burrow can stay healthy, but their offensive line remains a question mark and Cleveland's inconsistency makes them difficult to trust over 17 games.
Baltimore are the most stable, most complete and most explosive team in the division and they should control the AFC North from September through January.
Regular season wins - Baltimore Ravens over 11.5 (-110)
Baltimore cleared 11 wins in two of the last three seasons and, although a repeat never looked likely after starting 2-5 last year, the Ravens won six of their final 10 games to push the Steelers all the way.
Jackson's injury-enforced absence from four games offered a few opportunities to Tyler Huntley, who went 2-0 as a starter.
The Ravens will hope the backup QB isn't needed this year, but his 2025 performances should give the locker room belief that they can win with him in the huddle.
Five of Baltimore's nine losses in 2025 were one-score games and two of them were decided by two points or fewer.
The Ravens' pass rush did not get to the opposing quarterback enough in some tense fourth-quarter situations, but the addition of Hendrickson should enhance their prospects of finishing more close ones on the right end of the result.
They have a favourable schedule this year with eight games against NFC South and AFC South teams, six of which finished with losing records last year.
It's the ninth-easiest in the NFL based on 2025 opponent win totals (.479 win percentage).
With Jackson healthy and the pass rush bolstered, 12 wins feels more like a baseline than the ceiling for the Ravens.
Cleveland Browns over 1.5 AFC North wins (-145)
Cleveland are unpredictable, but their expected divisional win total is simply too low. Even in last year's injury‑ravaged campaign, the Browns managed two AFC North victories, albeit they were right at the end of the regular season schedule.
The trade they made for Garrett gives them plenty of future draft capital and another vocal leader in third-year defensive end Jared Verse.
They have enough holdovers from last season's elite pass defense to stay in games and that should be particularly useful against the Bengals.
The Battle of Ohio is usually a closely contested rivalry and, with nine of the last 15 going Cleveland's way, they should feel confident of winning at least one this coming season.
The appointment of former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as HC also looks wise as he knows the division and should give them fresh insight into how Baltimore operate.
Cleveland may not contend for the division, but they are too defensively sound to go 1‑5 or 0‑6 against familiar opponents.
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AFC North Division Winner odds
Baltimore Ravens | -110 |
Cincinnati Bengals | +180 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | +550 |
Cleveland Browns | +2000 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
