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AFC North round-up: Odds for Baltimore Ravens, others to win division

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after the game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after the game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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We are one month away from the 2020 NFL regular season! Which AFC North team has the best chance to win the division this year? We break it down.

Baltimore Ravens:

2019 record: 14-2

Key losses: OG Marshal Yanda, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Brandon Carr, S Tony Jefferson, OT James Hurst

Key additions: LB Patrick Queen, RB J.K. Dobbins, EDGE Calais Campbell, DL Derek Wolfe

Man, the 2020 Baltimore Ravens look like the best team in all of football, let alone the AFC North.

When looking at this edition of the Ravens, you have to nitpick to find many flaws. Defensively, the pass-rush is much improved after registering just 37 sacks last year and the secondary is the NFL’s best entering the season. The linebacking core got younger and better with rookies Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison expected to play large roles. And the secondary… PHEW… man is it loaded. Three Pro Bowlers return in the forms of Earl Thomas and the dynamic cornerback duo of Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. They’re joined by studs Chuck Clark, Jimmy Smith, and Tavon Young. This defense will be tough to move the ball against.

AFC North round-up: Power ranking positions for each team. light. Related Story

Offensively, the reigning league MVP, Lamar Jackson, is back for year three of his already remarkable resume. Jackson has some terrific weapons to throw to in Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and a now fully healthy Marquise Brown. The run game also looks to repeat their historic success, as their entire core from 2019 returns for 2020, and second-round pick J.K. Dobbins will also have a big role to play. The offensive line is far from an elite unit, but it is certainly above-average.

When it comes to picking who should win the AFC North in 2020, the Baltimore Ravens are the runaway favorites. The Ravens could easily sweep their AFC North rivals and will be in competition with the Kansas City Chiefs for the title of “best team in the AFC.”

Verdict: Heavy-weight favorites 

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