The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 3-1 and in first place in the AFC North.
Before the season began, the Steelers were a distant third to win the division.
However, the Baltimore Ravens have started the season 1-4. They are dealing with numerous injuries on the defensive side and QB Lamar Jackson.
Here are the AFC North division standings after week five:
- 1. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1
- 2. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3
- 3. Baltimore Ravens 1-4
- 4. Cleveland Browns 1-4
Oddsmakers have mixed feelings regarding the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers Become Slight Favorites To Win AFC North
The Steelers are slightly favored to win the AFC North, according to DraftKings Sportsbooks. Here are the AFC North odds from DraftKings:
- 1. Pittsburgh Steelers (-105)
- 2. Baltimore Ravens (+115)
- 3. Cincinnati Bengals (+1700)
- 4. Cleveland Browns (+1900)
However, not every sportsbook has the Steelers as the favorites. Here are the AFC North odds from FanDuel:
- 1. Baltimore Ravens (+110)
- 2. Pittsburgh Steelers (+115)
- 3. Cincinnati Bengals (+1100)
- 4. Cleveland Browns (+1700)
With the Steelers 3-1 and the Ravens 1-4 and dealing with numerous injuries, this is highly indicative that the Sportsbooks are not believers in the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has a strong chance to extend its lead in the division in week 6. The Steelers have a home matchup against the Cleveland Browns while the Ravens will take on the Rams, likely once again without Lamar Jackson. If the Steelers take care of business and go to 4-1, and the Ravens are unable to overcome all their injuries again, they will be 1-5 after week 6.
Reasons Why The Oddsmakers Are Not Sold On Steelers Winning The AFC North
Despite the Steelers being 3-1 and the Ravens 1-4, the oddsmakers are not sold on the Steelers running away with the division.
One has to wonder how the odds will shift after week six if what is expected happens and the Steelers move to 4-1 and the Ravens fall to 1-5.
Pittsburgh is a -5.5 point favorite at home against the Cleveland Browns, while the Ravens are a +7.5 point underdog at home against the Rams. LA had a week and a half to prepare for the contest, as they played on Thursday night in week 5. Lamar Jackson is not expected to suit up for this contest as the Ravens do not want to rush him back. Jackson is dealing with a hamstring injury, which will hamper him from running, which is a big part of his game.
However, despite all this, the oddsmakers still do not believe the Steelers will run away with the division.
This is because, even though the Ravens may be 1-5 and the Steelers 4-1, the schedule the rest of the season heavily favors Baltimore. The Ravens have a week 7 bye to get a lot of starters, most notably Jackson, back for week 8. Following their week 7 bye, the schedule for the Ravens is fairly easy.
- Week 6: vs Los Angeles Rams
- Week 7: Bye week
- Week 8: vs Chicago Bears
- Week 9: @ Miami Dolphins
- Week 10: @ Minnesota Vikings
- Week 11: @ Cleveland Browns
- Week 12: vs New York Jets
- Week 13: vs Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 14: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 15: @ Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 16: vs New England Patriots
- Week 17: @ Green Bay Packers
- Week 18: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 6: vs Cleveland Browns
- Week 7: @ Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 8: vs Green Bay Packers
- Week 9: vs Indianapolis Colts
- Week 10: @ Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 11: vs Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 12: @ Chicago Bears
- Week 13: vs Buffalo Bills
- Week 14: @ Baltimore Ravens
- Week 15: vs Miami Dolphins
- Week 16: @ Detroit Lions
- Week 17: @ Cleveland Browns
- Week 18: vs Baltimore Ravens
- Aaron Rodgers looks better than expected
- Steelers’ defense improved after week 2 and is creating takeaways
- Ravens defense has not looked good at all
- While it will be tough, the Steelers are capable of knocking off the Colts, Chargers, and Bears despite likely being underdogs in all three contests
- Steelers have an older roster: major question marks if this roster can remain healthy for the entire season
- Offensive line remains questionable: Broderick Jones and the offensive line need to improve in run blocking and pass protection
- No reliable number two WR behind D.K. Metcalf
- Run game continues to struggle behind the offensive line
- Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have a knack for losing games they should win
- Despite Tomlin wanting to unleash hell in December and January, hell has been unleashed upon him and the Steelers in December and January. In each of the last two years in December, the Steelers were 2-3. Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since 2016
Here is the Steelers’ schedule rest of the season:
Based on the schedule, the Ravens with Lamar Jackson will likely be favored in every game except maybe their week 17 contest at Green Bay.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, will be favored in likely just five of its remaining 13 games.
Based on the schedule, oddsmakers predict the Steelers will finish with roughly 8 or 9 wins. Baltimore will be favored in 10 of their remaining games as long as Jackson returns following their week 7 bye. This puts Baltimore at a likely record of 11-6.
The Ravens have a much lighter schedule and are a better team than the Steelers with Jackson.
Reasons To Be Optimistic & Pessimistic About The Steelers Winning The Division
Reasons to be optimistic that the Steelers win the division:
Reasons to be pessimistic that the Steelers win the division:
Despite being 3-1 and the Ravens 1-4, it remains an uphill battle for the Steelers to win the AFC North.
