As we wait for training camp to begin in the NFL, we’ll be taking a look at the league over the next two weeks to see how the divisional odds change, along with our favorite futures bets.
NFC West is considered one of the most difficult tournaments in football in the last few years. That reputation was sustained this past season when the two of them met in the NFC Championship Game, with one winning the Super Bowl.
To win NFC West betting odds
- Los Angeles Rams (+125 DK)
- San Francisco 49ers (+200 FD)
- The Arizona Cardinals (+400 DK)
- Seattle Seahawks (+1800 DK)
The Rams are gearing up for another run in a ring that will be a tough one throughout the season. San Francisco has a talented squad, but potentially handing power to a young midfielder Trey Lance will lead to some instability in 2022.
It feels like the Cardinals have been inundated with all-season drama, and Arizona has now developed a habit of hot start and rapid waning in recent years. Then there’s Seattle, which started their franchise quarterback trade in Russell Wilson. The Seahawks will need a few years to regain some ground in this division.
Seattle Seahawks: What to Expect
Russell Wilson has faced an injury that will last for much of 2021, the catalyst behind a 7-10 regular season record and final place in the NFC West.
Wilson is currently at Denver, and Seattle is left with some serious question marks in midfield. There’s no world in which we can sanely bet a future on the Seahawks winning in this stacked division, especially without Geno Smith or Drew Lock committing the offence. .
This is going to be a tough year for the Seahawks, who I feel better bet on to get the first overall pick than I bet they win the NFC West.
The Arizona Cardinals: What to Expect
Here’s what we know about Arizona at this point. DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for six games due to PED issues. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals had an off-season contract dance that resulted in unnecessary social media distraction for both the team and passersby. Arizona has now had two consecutive hot starts with no results.
The Cardinals are a solid team, and in a weak NFC, they’re bound to have to compete for a playoff spot once again. However, there’s something about this franchise that looks like it’s never going to hit the ground running. This is just one writer’s opinion, but I cannot put my trust in this team in any way. With +400 to win at NFC West, the public agrees that a first place championship is unlikely.
Murray is incredibly talented. I really believe in him as a midfielder, but the swaggers he pulls off and his representation this season just feel childish to me. I feel the divide between team and players, and with Hopkins currently playing six important games at the start of the year, I worry that this game won’t have enough water to play. Christian Kirk dies, AJ Green ages, and Zach Ertz ages too.
I don’t see it, and I’m not betting on Arizona here. The positive thing that I can share about Arizona is that they did well in this tournament last year, with a score of 4-2, the best record of all four teams.
San Francisco 49ers: What will happen
San Francisco finished last year’s season 10-7 and won two playoffs before falling to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. Many people forget that this 49ers team made the Super Bowl in 2019 and suffered ridiculous injuries in 2020 that led to season-long struggles.
Back in good health, the 49ers have picked up where they left off, and this lineup is definitely one of NFC’s best, if you look at every position outside of QB.
The 49ers invested quite a bit in trading for Lance in 3rd place in last year’s draft. The quarterback from North Dakota State doesn’t have much action in 2021, but the expectation is that this is his team moving forward.
I’m intrigued by what Lance can do, but am I going to put +200 futures on the 49ers to win this tournament with something Lance doesn’t know yet? I don’t. I’d rather put the future on Lance to win MVP, but that’s another article.
Hopefully San Francisco can resolve their contractual issues with Deebo Samuel, who has cemented himself as a star up front.
I think this is a very good team with great players everywhere. If they get closer to +300 to win NFC West, I’ll give it a try. But I can’t with these odds.
Los Angeles Rams: What to Expect
That leaves us with the Los Angeles Rams, Super Bowl LVI winners against the Cincinnati Bengals. There is every reason to believe that the Rams can compete for another championship.
After a short dreaded retirement from Aaron Donald, his return reinforces that the defense maintains most of their output from last year.
The Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp connection is an instant boon to the Rams’ offense, and the newly acquired Allen Robinson II offers a great alternative to leaving Robert Woods. If you’ve read this far, I think we can keep this part simple.
I do not believe in the other three teams that the only logical conclusion is that the team loves betting in Los Angeles. I’m comfortable with +125. The Rams won 12-5 last season, winning the division and I expect a step back from the Cardinals, who ended the game back to LA.
My pick was made for me, and it’s not just an elimination process, I really believe in this team. That’s not too bold to say about defensive champions, but it’s enough for me. I’m betting Rams to win NFC West at +125.
