Steelers second in the betting behind Browns to win AFC North

10

May 2019

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The hype surrounding the Browns has reached the bookmakers this offseason, with Cleveland shortening in price as favorites to win the division in 2019 after the draft.

With the conclusion of the draft, most bookmakers have released updated odds and an increased range of markets for the upcoming season over the last few days, a list of betting opportunities that now includes new lines for the division winner markets in 2019 from multiple outlets.

And where the Pittsburgh Steelers were once narrow second-favorites to the Cleveland Browns in the race to win the AFC North at a price of +160 to the Browns offering of +140, it would appear there has been something of a shift after the draft in favor of Cleveland.

A trend that is reflected by sports betting comparison site oddschecker.com, with several bookmakers shortening their price on the Browns.

The Baltimore Ravens also continue to drift in the betting, lengthening out to an average of 3/1 with most sportsbook to win the division, while the Cincinnati Bengals remain an irrelevance at prices ranging from 11/1 to 20/1 depending upon where you look.

Cleveland last won a divisional crown in 1989, a year in which they went 9-6-1 and lost to the Houston Oilers in the wild card round of the playoffs. Winning the North would also require the Browns to have a winning record, a feat they have not achieved since 2007. But with the mass of talent they have signed over the past few seasons, there is clearly an increasing number of people who believe they will break that trend this season.