Updated Odds For Steelers And AFC North Rivals Following 2025 NFL Schedule Release

The schedule for the 2025 NFL season has officially been released, and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a difficult season could be on the horizon. The Black and Gold reached the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons last term, but just as in all three of those previous endeavors, their postseason ended at the very first hurdle with a disappointing 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. 

Even though the team continues to reach the playoffs, it's clear that the Steelers are miles away from a record-breaking seventh Super Bowl championship. Last term, much of their success was built off the back of a staunch defense that allowed just 347 points, the lowest in the division and the fourth lowest in the AFC. However, with both quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departing this offseason, a period of uncertainty could be on the horizon in 2025. 

Online sports betting sites certainly feel as though that is the case. The latest live sports betting at Bovada odds currently make Pittsburgh a mighty +3500 outsider to lift the Lombardi Trophy next February, some way behind the heavily favored reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles (+650). But what are their chances of winning the AFC North, and those of their rivals? Let's find out. 

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore enters the 2025 season as the -140 favorite to win the division and a +750 joint second favorite to win the Super Bowl. And for good reason. The Ravens have romped to AFC North glory in each of the last two campaigns, and they will be looking imperious once again next season. 

Sensational quarterback Lamar Jackson has been in a league of his own over the last two years, winning the MVP in the first of them before being narrowly pipped to the award in the second by Buffalo's Josh Allen. He has always posed huge problems for opposition defenses on the ground, but now he has added a cannon arm to his game, and that has taken him to another level. 

In 2024, running back Derrick Henry made the move to M&T Bank Stadium via free agency, and he took some of the pressure off his quarterback. Before, Jackson was constantly required to make huge plays, but last term, the former Tennessee Titan chipped in with plenty of crucial rushes, so much so that he almost racked up 2,000 yards for the third time in his career. 

With Jackson coming off a record-setting season that featured 37 touchdown passes and 3,787 yards through the air, the Ravens’ offense is built to sustain its high-octane production. Henry’s punishing rushing style complements his quarterback's dual-threat versatility. Young talent Zay Flowers also proved that he is one to watch, as he eclipsed over 1,000 receiving yards in his sophomore year. 

For the Ravens, the postseason has been where their difficulties have been on display. Following the loss to the Bills last season, Jackson now has a paltry 3-5 record in the playoffs, and it is there that he needs to prove himself. Throughout the regular season, expect him to lead his side to another impressive record. 

Cincinnati Bengals 

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered from a disastrous start to the 2024 season. Back-to-back defeats on the opening two weekends of the season saw them slip to 0-2 for the third straight year, and by week five, they were 1-4. Three straight losses in midseason - one of them to the Steelers - saw them at 4-8, and even though they managed to rally and win their final five games of the campaign, they still missed the playoffs once again. 

Next season, though, the bookies feel Cincy could finally be set to snap out of their recent slump and return to the form that saw them reach back-to-back AFC Championship games in 2021 and 2022. They are currently the +220 second favorites to win the division, and if they can hit the ground running rather than stumbling out of the blocks, those odds will surely shorten. 

Quarterback Joe Burrow remains the heartbeat of the Bengals’ offense. He led the league in terms of both passing yards and touchdowns, and with elite weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they will continue to pose a consistent vertical threat to opposing secondaries. Last season, however, a leaky defence that allowed 434 points - the fourth highest in the conference - was the problem, and the potential departure of sack leader Trey Hendrickson could well exacerbate those issues. 

Cincy's 2025 schedule offers a realistic path to the postseason, with early matchups against the Browns and Jaguars providing a chance to start strong. Another slow start could well leave them in trouble once again, though. If Zac Taylor’s squad can reverse that recent trend next season, they’ll be well-positioned to contend come December.

Pittsburgh Steelers

At +500, the Steelers remain the division’s wild card. Their 10-7 finish and spot in the playoffs last season managed to paper over the offensive cracks somewhat. But with a staunch defense anchored by TJ Watt, the Black and Gold certainly have a platform to build upon. 

Much like Cincinnati's defense, questions remain about their offensive ceiling. Russell Wilson showcased flashes of brilliance late last year, but turnovers and a struggling run game often stymied their momentum. He has since departed, as has Justin Fields, and it's anyone's guess as to who will start at quarterback for their season opener on the road against the Jets. 

Will Howard was selected in the sixth round of the recent draft, while Mason Rudolph recently returned after a stint with the Titans, but it could well be the veteran Aaron Rodgers who gets the nod should his rumored signing be confirmed over the summer. He has just finished an underwhelming two-year stint with the Jets, and it would be typical of their recent woes if A-Rod returned and led the Steelers to an opening day victory. 

Cleveland Browns

After a brief revival in 2023 with the veteran Joe Flacco under center, the Browns find themselves in familiar territory heading into 2025. They have odds of +3000 to win the AFC North next term, with the Steelers' Super Bowl hopes only slightly more ambitious. 

There are a couple of reasons to be cautiously optimistic in Cleveland, however. They managed to tie defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett down to a bumper new deal in recent weeks, while they also took full advantage of Shedeur Sanders' plight in the draft to select him in the fifth round. 

The former University of Colorado standout was expected to be a top-five pick, but instead, he shockingly went 144th overall. As such, the confident rookie will be highly motivated to prove the naysayers wrong, and that could well lead both him and the Browns to turn some heads next term.