AFC North Future Bets

The AFC North is a tough division that has been ruled during recent years by two teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  But ever few years the Bengals come in flexing their muscles like last year.  With a tough division like this, it is hard to pick the division winner.  One thing is normal though, it isn't always the favorite. 

AFC North Favorite

For the last 10 years, everyone has touted the Baltimore Raven's defense. Now people are crowning Joe Flacco as the next franchise quarterback. With a big play running back in Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin there is no shock to learn that the Ravens are the favorite to win the AFC North at -195. But Flacco does have issues when being hurried and the defense is old and hurt. Free safety Ed Reed is on the PUP list and out for the first 6 games of the season and Domonique Foxworth went down the other day for the season after tearing his ACL. Those question marks makes me weary to lay money on a team in such a physical and tough division.

AFC North Vaule Bet

Even before the Cincinnati Bengals signed Terrel Owens, they were a nice pick at +350. Cedric Benson rushed for over 1200 yard last season when teams stuffed the box with 8 players. Now that T.O. in on the team, teams will not be able to focus as much on the run and only Chad Ochocinco. The signing of T.O. brought the line down to +300. With a defense that ranked 4th in yards allowed last season, the Bengals are a great value bet to repeat as AFC North Champions.

2010 Baltimore Ravens Notes

The Baltimore Ravens have been making moves during the offseason and have sured up their offense by signing wide receiver Anquan Bolden and give quarterback Joe Flacco a legitimate passing threat. How about the draft picks and undrafted free agents.

2010 Draft Result

The Ravens had seven draft picks during the draft. With those draft picks they picked up 3 defense players. The problem I see is that these players are defensive lineman. Every team needs a pass rusher, especially in today's pass happy league, but their linebackers and defensive backs are old. This has been a knock against the team for a few years, but they did nothing to address it. With Ed Reed contemplating retirement at the end of the 2009 season and now having surgery, you would think they would address these positions. Instead they pick lineman, tight ends and wide receivers.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents

The Ravens had many of the undrafted free agents that they invited to rookie mini-camp on their radars during the draft. Most notable of all of their undrafted free agents is the University of Memphis runningback Curtis Steele. Steele ranked first in team history in rushing yards, carries, rushing touchdowns, points scored and all purpose yards. Steele was also a leader in Conference USA and named to the 2009 All C-USA first team. For a team that has had past struggles with running backs, time will tell if Steele becomes the player they were hoping.