hy the Ravens Are the Smart Bet to Win the AFC North in 2025
As the 2025 NFL season nears, divisional futures markets are heating up—and one bet stands out for its mix of value, talent, and stability:
Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North (-160 on FanDuel)
It’s not the most glamorous bet on the board, but it might be the sharpest. Here’s why this play makes sense—and what could derail it.
🔥 Baltimore Has the Most Complete Team in the AFC North
The Ravens are stacked:
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Lamar Jackson is a former MVP who continues to improve as a passer. He’s still one of the toughest players to game plan for in the league.
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Derrick Henry joins the backfield as a powerful, reliable workhorse who can grind down defenses and protect leads.
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The defense, anchored by Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton, remains one of the nastiest units in the NFL.
This is a team that rolled through the AFC North last year!
🧠 Elite Coaching + Winning Culture
Head coach John Harbaugh is one of the most respected minds in the league. His Ravens are always well-coached, physical, and mistake-free.
They don’t beat themselves, and that’s exactly the kind of team you want to back in a division race.
🤔 Who’s Challenging Them?
Let’s break it down.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is elite when healthy—but the Bengals defense is a serious liability.
They finished 31st in total defense last season, and Burrow couldn’t carry them through it. Nothing significant has changed.
Cleveland Browns
Not a threat to win the division at all
Pittsburgh Steelers
Talented and tough—but are Aaron Rodgers is 41 and has clearly lost a step.
💰 Why -160 Is a Fair Price
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You’re backing a by far the best team in the division.
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The coaching, defense, and quarterback are all elite
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There are no serious challengers unless the Ravens get derailed by injuries
At -160, you’re getting a team with fewer question marks than any other divisional favorite outside of the Philadelphia Eagles.
⚠️ The One Risk: Health
This bet hinges on one critical condition:
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have to stay healthy.
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If Lamar misses significant time, the offense loses its identity.
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If Henry goes down, they lose their ground-and-pound edge.
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The defense, while deep, also needs its core players available to dominate.
Injuries are the only realistic threat to this bet. But that’s true for every team in futures markets.
✅ The Verdict
The Ravens are the most complete team in the division. They have the best quarterback, the best defense, and arguably the best coaching. With a healthy roster, they should comfortably win the AFC North.
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🟢 Strong pick
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💰 Fair price (-160)
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⚠️ Injury caveat applies—but doesn’t outweigh the upside
Baltimore is the bet. Lock it in before the market adjusts.