NFL Picks – AFC North Becomes More Interesting With TO Signing

Terrell Owens arrival in Cincinnati will quickly alter many NFL Picks for the AFC North. The Ravens have improved but are getting older on defense and the Pittsburgh Steelers are forced to deal with the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger for the first month of the season.

The door has been opened just a crack for the Bengals who instead of riding a team that won ten games last season went out and significantly improved their team.

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It’s the day after the big signing and the NFL lines have not moved. The Bengals are still +1400 to win the AFC Championship and are +300 to win the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens are -115, The Pittsburgh Steelers are +210 and Cleveland continues to be a non-factor at +1500 to win the suddenly uber-tough AFC North division.

So how will TO’s 55 catches, 829 yards and 5 touchdowns impact the Bengals this season? Consider where Cincinnati was last year in terms of their passing offense. They were a terrible 26th ranked passing offense that averaged just a tad over 180 yards per game and they were 22nd in the NFL in terms of scoring with about 19 points per game. Carson Palmer, yes the same Carson Palmer who lit up the league just a few years prior, ranked between Jason Campbell and David Gerrard in the overall passing categories! Yuck!

The Bengals offense was going to be better with Antonio Bryant, but the acquisition of Owens makes them even more formidable. His presence alone will give Chad Ochocinco room to roam and should open up a few more holes for Cedric Benson out of the backfield. Make no mistake about it folks, the Bengals’ offense has climbed a notch or maybe two within the last 24 hours.

So how will the TO signing affect NFL Betting? Well, the Bengals have moved from legitimate underdog to very intriguing sleeper to at least seriously challenge for what is now an extremely unpredictable AFC North. They went 10-6 last season with a poor passing and scoring offense. A presence like Terrell Owens is worth 2-3 wins all by himself (just ask Buffalo Bills fans). That takes the Bengals from a 9 or 10 win season to an 11-13 win season by my count. 12 wins should win the AFC North.

The season Total for the Bengals sits at 8 wins. The Over becomes a solid NFL Bet all of a sudden as well.

The Cincinnati Bengals have become a contender within 24 hours. It’s time for the NFL Betting world to take notice! Sprinkle a bit of dough on the Total (Over) and even the Division crown for the Bengals now! The lines may move in the next couple of days.

Check out the current lines and visit the Sportsbook to place your wagers.