Before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season began nearly a month ago, most fans and NFL analysts targeted their first four games as a litmus test for what caliber team they’d be in 2025. Pittsburgh opened with four teams that they’d need to be able to beat if they’re a playoff team; if they lost two or more games, it’d be safe to say this isn’t the year.
AP Photo / Stephanie Scarbrough
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a tough game against the Ravens.
Four weeks in, they’ve beaten the Jets, Patriots and Vikings, and suffered a tough loss against the Seahawks. We wouldn’t ordinarily look at this team’s performance and suggest that they’re a solid playoff contender. We certainly wouldn’t call them favorites to win the division.
But considering what’s happened elsewhere in the AFC North in recent weeks, it’s worth a conversation: Is it smart to bet on the Steelers to win the AFC North? What about a bet for the Steelers to make the playoffs?
As a refresher, here’s how the odds to win the AFC North looked before Week 1: ● Ravens: -160
● Bengals: +250
● Steelers: +550
● Browns: +3300
Since then, a lot has happened.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow suffered a severe toe injury in Week 2 and will miss three months.
In Baltimore, things are even worse. The Ravens, who opened the season as Super Bowl favorites, have a 1-3 record and could be without QB Lamar Jackson for the next two weeks. And that’s hardly their only loss — they could be without more than half of their defensive starters in Week 5 at least.
No, the 2025 Steelers don’t have the talented roster that the Ravens have. They aren’t quite the offensive threat that the Bengals are with a healthy Burrow. But considering these catastrophic injuries — combined with the Browns’ predictable mediocrity — are the Steelers a legit threat to win the AFC North?
Here’s what Steelers futures odds look like on a few of the top sportsbooks in Pennsylvania:
Bet365
To win AFC North: +180
To make playoffs: -135
FanDuel Sportsbook
To win AFC North: +185
To make playoffs: -142
DraftKings Sportsbook
To win AFC North: +170
To make playoffs: -165
BetMGM
To win AFC North: +175
To make playoffs: -140
If you haven’t created an account on any of the sportsbooks listed above, you’ll be eligible for a solid sportsbook welcome offer that will allow you to place your wager with a bonus bet or even get boosted odds.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The best odds for the Steelers to win the division reside at FanDuel right now, where a $10 wager would return $18.50 in winnings, and their best odds to make the playoffs are at Bet365, where you’d win $7.41 on a $10 bet.
Are the Steelers a Lock to Make the Playoffs?
The Ravens’ misfortunes may be fodder for Steelers fans’ glee, but there’s something important we aren’t hearing much from TV pundits who suggest their season’s over: Their schedule is a huge factor. The teams they’ve lost to are the Chiefs, Lions and Bills. If Jackson is sidelined for 2-3 weeks as suspected, he’ll only miss two games — they have a bye week in Week 7. Outside of the Rams and Packers, the best team remaining on their schedule is arguably the Steelers.
And while the Steelers have gotten off to a much better start than the Ravens, it’s still only a two-game lead. Jackson will likely be healthy for both games against Pittsburgh, and they will have some defensive reinforcements back for those late-season games as well. The Ravens remain favorites to win the AFC North and have a 69.7% chance to reach the playoffs, per ESPN Analytics.
So yes, there’s a reason why the Steelers are getting plus money to win the division. It’s still likely Baltimore’s division to lose.
To make the playoffs, however, is a different story. The Steelers have two games against the Burrow-less Bengals and two against the Browns. Ten wins should be the expectation for Mike Tomlin and crew at this point, and that should be enough to earn them a postseason berth.
Want to bet on the Steelers to make the playoffs? We say go for it. The real question: Can they win a game when they get there
