Last year the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Cleveland Browns to take the AFC North division thanks to their head-to-head results. And this year it looks like the Steelers and Browns will battle for top spot again, leaving NFL betting fans to figure out which team to pick in their futures wagers.



The Steelers and Browns both finished 10-6 last season, but only the Steelers moved on to the playoffs. Pittsburgh enters the new season as +110 favorites on the NFL odds to finish on top of the division standings once again. Since he was so heavily overshadowed by Tom Brady most people probably forget about the solid season Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger had last year.

Big Ben passed for 3154 yards with a career-high 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As long as he can stay healthy Roethlisberger should put up big numbers again, with reliable receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, as well as rookie wideout Limas Sweed and tight end Heath Miller, to throw to.

On the ground Pittsburgh has a lethal one-two punch in running backs Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall. Parker is returning from a broken leg, so Mendenhall could see his fair share of carries early on to make sure Parker returns strong.

The Steelers’ defense was one of the best in the league last season, but they did come apart a bit down the stretch when they were needed the most. Pittsburgh led the league in run defense, but they were shredded for 135 yards by Jacksonville in the playoffs. Pittsburgh should boast a top-ranked D once again, but they need to avoid another late-season swoon.

The Browns were one of the biggest surprises in the league last season behind the even-more-surprising Derek Anderson. This season the Browns are a +175 underdog on the NFL odds to take another step and win the division.

The play of Anderson kept so-called QB of the future Brady Quinn on the bench, and will likely keep him there this season as well. Anderson has one of the best wide receiver/tight end combos in the league in Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, and he’ll also have speedster Donte’ Stallworth to throw to this season.

Running back Jamal Lewis is also a big part of the offense after re-energizing his career in Cleveland last season by rushing for 1304 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Browns could end up living or dying by their defense. In the offseason the D-line was bulked up with the addition of Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers; if those two can held improve the pass rush that should aid a Browns secondary that gave up a lot of yards (and a lot of touchdowns) last season.

Fans of either side should circle Week 2 on their calendar, as that’s the first time the Browns and Steelers collide in Cleveland. They’ll meet for the second time in Pittsburgh to close out the regular season in Week 17.

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