2022 Midseason Report: AFC North
Nine weeks into the NFL season, the AFC North is weaker than expected. Sending two teams to the playoffs is beginning to look unlikely, and the bottom of the division is ugly.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled all season with the NFL’s worst offense. After a solid start, the Cleveland Browns’ level of play has plummeted. The Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff chances are in jeopardy due to several injuries. With -400 odds, the Baltimore Ravens are pulling away as the favorite to win the division.
Let’s take a look at where each AFC North team stands halfway through the NFL season.
Let’s check the latest super bowl betting, stats, and injury reports for the 2022 Midseason Report, AFC North.
Ravens (6-3)
- Odds to win AFC North -400
- Odds to win AFC +700
- Odds to win the super bowl +1400
Through six games, the Baltimore Ravens were 3-3 and struggling to finish games. Baltimore lost three games by a combined 11 points. The Ravens are finally closing games and are on a three-game winning streak.
At the trade deadline, Baltimore acquired All-Pro linebacker, Roquan Smith. This trade showed the Ravens intend to contend this season. Smith quickly made his impact felt in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints with five tackles. The defense is generating sacks and turnovers, which usually leads to winning. Baltimore is averaging 1.8 takeaways (fourth) and has 27 sacks (fourth). Veteran edge rusher Justin Houston has turned back the clock with 6.5 sacks from Weeks 7-9.
Justin Houston now has SEVEN sacks on the season! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PvOk1prJE9
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) November 8, 2022
The Ravens have one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks once again, ranking first in yards per carry and second in yards per game. This should only get stronger when running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins return from injury.
However, the passing game has concerns about the super bowl bet. Top wide receiver Rashod Bateman suffered a season-ending foot injury. Plus, tight end Mark Andrews has dealt with a shoulder injury. Lamar Jackson’s top wide receivers are Devin Duvernay, Demarcus Robinson, James Proche II, and DeSean Jackson. To contend for a Super Bowl, Baltimore must find answers through the air. Regardless, the Ravens are heavy favorites to win the AFC North.
Bengals (5-4)
- Odds to win AFC North +300
- Odds to win AFC +1400
- Odds to win Super Bowl +2800
After defeating the New Orleans Saints (30-26) and Atlanta Falcons (35-17) in back-to-back weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals’ stock was soaring. The offense was red hot, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Then, disaster struck leading up to the Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Chase was ruled out for several games with a hip injury. Without their lead wideout, the Bengals turned in a horrible performance against the Browns, losing 32-13. To make matters worse, top cornerback Chidobe Awuzie sustained a season-ending knee injury during the loss. At 4-4 with several key injuries, Cincinnati was officially in panic mode.
The Bengals had a turnaround performance in Week 9, routing the Carolina Panthers 42-21. Running back Joe Mixon returned to last season’s form with over 200 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.
Cincinnati enters a bye week with hope. The defense will get a much-needed break with the chance to get healthy. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader could return from a knee injury and other contributors, like cornerback Mike Hilton, should be back.
The Bengals can make the playoffs if the run game continues to find success. However, a weak cornerback room will likely prevent Cincinnati from making noise in the postseason.
Browns (3-5)
- Odds to win AFC North +2200
- Odds to win AFC +5000
- Odds to win Super Bowl +10000
Before the season started, the Cleveland Browns were hoping to stay around .500 until quarterback Deshaun Watson’s return in Week 13 against the Houston Texans. With Watson, the Browns could make a potential run at a wild-card spot.
At 3-5, the playoffs will be out of reach. The Browns have a difficult upcoming schedule against the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At best, Cleveland could win one game. Watson will be rusty when he returns and cannot carry a 3-8 or 4-7 team to the playoffs.
The Browns could stay competitive, though. After losing four consecutive games, Cleveland flipped the script by dominating the Cincinnati Bengals 32-13. The pass rush finally had an exceptional showing with five sacks and seven QB hits. Plus, the secondary played well without cornerback Denzel Ward, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett had his best game of the season.
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Cleveland hopes Week 8’s win over Cincinnati will be a turnaround performance. The defense and Brissett’s good play need to continue.
Steelers (2-6)
- Odds to win AFC North +6600
- Odds to win AFC +50000
- Odds to win the super bowl +100000
Not much has gone right for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh’s injury-riddled defense held well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, allowing only 17 points per game.
In Week 8, the Steelers could not stay close to the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 35-13. Pittsburgh’s terrible offense has been too much to overcome. Since taking the starting job, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has made little progress. He has a 66.8 passer rating with eight interceptions in five games. Plus, the offensive line is one of the NFL’s worst while running back Najee Harris continues to disappoint.
Scoring will remain a problem for the rest of the season. However, Pittsburgh’s defense is finally getting healthy. Edge rusher T.J. Watt has not played since Week 1 due to a pectoral injury. When the defending Defensive Player of the Year returns, the Steelers’ defense could have a dramatic turnaround.
Even with an improved defense, Pittsburgh will finish with a losing season thanks to an underwhelming offense.
