Baltimore opens 2025 as the AFC North favorite for a third straight title, with Cincinnati as the next rung and Pittsburgh and Cleveland on the chase. ESPN Bet’s season-long odds give the Ravens high hopes to return to the postseason, while burrow-led Cincinnati aims to sustain a top-scoring offense despite OL concerns. The Steelers, boosted by Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh, are built for a playoff push, but Cleveland faces a tougher path with quarterback instability in a brutal division.

Among the bets, Bengals over 9.5 wins stands out thanks to Joe Burrow and a potent aerial attack, while a Bengals under 9.5 wins appeals if the line holds against a tougher schedule and possible regression in the run game. Browns under 4.5 wins relies on qb uncertainty and aging O-line. MVP odds tilt toward Lamar Jackson, with Burrow close behind; Chase eyes Offensive Player of the Year, and Garrett eyes Defensive Player of the Year.

Fantasy football 2025 targets lean toward a blend of floor stability and big-week upside. The board centers on Gibbs and Burrow as premium floor/purchase options, with McConkey and Williams offering high-volume PPR paths in high-octane offenses. Henderson and Pacheco add versatility in run-game and pass-game roles that could push RB2 weeks into the RB1 mix. At receiver, Meyers, Pearsall, Williams, and McConkey (jointly with Williams) offer steady targets and YAC upside, while Engram provides reliable tight-end floor in a boosted Denver offense. Late-round fliers like Marvin Mims Jr., Luther Burden III, and Jordan Mason add dart-throw ceiling for depth. Draft plans should balance floor with upside while saving bullets for late-round diversification.

The guide emphasizes pairing a top QB with a workhorse back and a high-upsideWR2/WR3 duo, then layering in a mid-round TE with clear target shares. It also notes that any roster wins weeks with breakout weeks from single players, making the tape and usage charts essential. The late-round flier slate supplies leverage: Mims as a clear burner with tournament upside, Burden as schemed touches, and Mason as a zone-attack backfield piece who could surprise in 2025.

This approach supports a rounded, weekly-flex strategy: lock in Burrow and Gibbs for safe floor, stitch in McConkey and Williams for high-filtered targets in the Chargers’ and Lions’ air-cores, and sprinkle Engram with Mayfield’s pass-heavy and seam-stretching style. The plan also keeps a watchful eye on Henderson, Henderson’s role, and Mayfield’s ceiling outside of structure—plus the late-round fliers who can swing a season in depth-heavy leagues.

Cincinnati won in the bloodstream of a preseason win, but the bigger storylines swirled around risk, readiness and rhetoric. Joe Burrow started the Bengals’ first three possessions in his second consecutive August tune-up, absorbing a horse-collar tackle and a sack that sparked debate about how much Washington’s heat should loom over a franchise QB. ESPN voices Marcus Spears and Stephen A. Smith blasted Zac Taylor for leaving Burrow in too long and for overall August planning, framing the discussion around protecting Burrow while chasing a clean, fast start in September. The chatter extended to Cincinnati’s defense, described in come-and-go fashion as a work-in-progress, underscoring questions about how offsetting the defense’s rough edges with an efficient offense will play out when games actually count. The result counts, but the postgame analysis centers on process, health, and balancing September readiness with August prudence.

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Cincinnati opened the preseason on the road with a 31-17 win over Washington as Joe Burrow took the field to sharpen timing for the regular season. He went 9-for-14 for 62 yards with a touchdown, flashing efficiency while the Bengals juggle meaningful reps for core pieces without overexposing them in August. A memorable subplot: Burrow and Washington’s LSU alum Jayden Daniels—both Heisman winners—shared a postgame moment that connected college glory to NFL progress. The storyline hints at a late-season clash that could carry real fantasy and betting weight.

The narrative around Daniels—who starred for LSU and then impressed as a rookie in D.C.—adds a layer of intrigue for dynasty and DFS players alike. Cincinnati pursues a poised, high-floor start, while Washington’s offense and Daniels’ ascent could shape sleeper paths and weekly streaming options as the season unfolds. Sports Illustrated continues to cover NFL action with eye on fantasy relevance and league-wide impact.