The NFC West has been one of the best divisions over the past decade.
Last year, it produced the second-best team in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers, who will be determined to have similar success this season. But there’s solid competition within the division.
The Seattle Seahawks were the surprise team from the division as QB Geno Smith won the Comeback Player of the Year award and led Seattle to the postseason. Geno and the 12s are ready to challenge the 49ers for the top spot in the west. Meanwhile, the remaining teams have some work to do.
The Rams took a significant step back after winning the super bowl in 2021. Similarly, the Arizona Cardinals had their own issues and are slated to be one of the worst teams in football. Regardless, let’s take a look at each squad and find the right bets based on the current market.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Get up to $1,000 in DK Dollars when you sign up for a new account below!
San Francisco 49ers
- -160 to win NFC West
- Implied Wins: 10.5 (-145)
- Key Additions: Sam Darnold (QB), Javon Hargraves (DT), Clelin Ferrell (DE)
- Key Departures: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Mike McGlinchey (OT), Jimmie Ward (S), Emmanuel Mosley (CB), Tarvarius Moore (S), Hassan Ridgeway (DL), Charles Omenihu (DE)
The 49ers enter the 2023 campaign as the clear favorites to come out of the West.
From a talent standpoint, no team is close to the 49ers in the division. San Francisco had the best defense in football a season ago, and you could argue that they got better in the offseason.
Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest question mark for the 49ers is the quarterback position. Last year, they dealt with multiple injuries, eventually forcing Brock Purdy into action. Purdy handled the situation well and earned himself an opportunity to be the starting quarterback this season. As a result, there will likely be a QB competition between Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy, and Trey Lance.
Picks: 49ers To Win Division (-160), 49ers over 10.5 wins (-145)
The 49ers represent the best defense, and I was surprised we could snatch their over at 10.5. San Francisco could realistically get five wins in the division, and their schedule out of the division looks favorable.
Los Angeles and Arizona should finish towards the bottom of the league, so the only real competition in the West is Seattle, who should regress after they overachieved a season ago.
But, as I mentioned, their Week 1 QB is still unknown. Last year showed that pretty much any quarterback can succeed in this San Francisco offense, which will remain the same this year.
Seattle Seahawks
- +195 to win NFC West
- Implied Wins: 10.5 (-175)
- Key Additions: Julian Love (S), Bobby Wagner (LB), Devin Bush (LB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)
- Key Departures: Travis Homer (RB), Rashaad Penny (RB), Marquise Goodwin (WR), Al Woods (DL), Cody Barton (LB), Quinton Jefferson (DL)
Seattle took the league by storm a season ago. The team was led by quarterback Geno Smith who earned himself a trip to the Pro Bowl. No team overachieved more from a betting perspective in 2022 than Seattle, as the Seahawks entered the year slated to finish third in the division. But now, they’re on all team's radars across the league.
Seattle added depth over the offseason on the defensive side of the football to add to their potential. Many people question whether Seattle can run back a similar performance this season or if last year was a fluke. But the Seahawks will be determined to silence the critics.
Pick: Seahawks under 8.5 wins (+125)
I expect the Seahawks to regress this season, as they overachieved a season ago and will come back to earth. Defensively this team still has issues, and if the offense is less dominant than it was a season ago, the Seahawks will have trouble winning games.
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw under pressure by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) in the third quarter of a wild card game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It’s also likely Geno Smith will take a step backward this season after a career year. In my eyes, Seattle is not a playoff team, and I love this under as it is one of my favorite futures of the season.
Los Angeles Rams
- +1000 to win NFC West
- Implied Wins: 6.5 (-105)
- Key Additions: Marquise Copeland (LB) Shaun Jolly (CB)
- Key Departures: Brandon Powell (WR), Leonard Floyd (DE), Greg Gaines (DL), Bobby Wagner (LB), Jalen Ramsey (CB), Taylor Rapp (S), Nick Scott (S), Matt Gay (K)
No team in the NFL was more disappointing last year than the Rams. After winning the championship the year before, they were the favorite to win the NFC West and the Super Bowl. But their dream of repeating that feat turned into a nightmare.
Everything that could have gone wrong for the Rams went wrong, forcing them into the worst season in the Sean McVay era. However, the one positive for the Rams is that they will begin the year healthy, as veteran Matthew Stafford will return and be the team's day-one quarterback. Plus, the Rams will have star WR Cooper Kupp back, who also dealt with injuries a season ago limiting his production. Kupp is expected to be a full go for week one.
Pick: Rams Over 6.5 wins -105
This feels like the perfect buy-low spot. Yes, the Rams are coming off a poor season, but to be fair to the Rams, a lot of that had to do with injuries. The return of Stafford and Kupp alone is enough for me to say they can win a few more games than last season.
Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left), receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
They do not play in that tough of a division, and it is realistic to say that the Rams will win three of four games within their division. Their defense was an issue a season ago, but they have the talent to bounce back and perform at a higher level in ‘23 despite losing multiple starters.
Arizona Cardinals
- +2500 to win NFC West
- Implied Wins: 4.5 (+100)
- Key Additions: Zach Paschal (WR), Corey Clement (RB), Kyzir White (LB)
- Key Departures: DeAndre Hopkins (WR), AJ Green (WR), Chosen Anderson (WR), Zach Allen (DL), Byron Murphy (CB), JJ Watt (DE), Markus Golden (DL)
The Kliff Kingsbury era has officially ended in the desert as the team brings in first-year Head Coach Jonathan Gannon. Gannon helped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl last year and will look to enjoy similar success in Arizona. But he’s walking into a mess.
QB Kyler Murray will look to rebound after a poor showing a season ago. However, Murray’s season was cut short when he tore his ACL vs the Patriots, and it’s likely he’ll miss the start of the season as he continues to rehab.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches practice during organized team activities on June 1, 2023, at Cardinals Dignity Health Training Center in Tempe.
The dual-threat phenom has one of the largest contracts at QB and will attempt to prove why this season. But with Arizona moving on from veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins, giving way to larger roles for Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore, it may be an uphill battle.
Pick: Cardinals over 4.5 wins (+100)
I understand that the Cardinals struggled last season, and they have a limited roster, but this team can win five games.
When healthy, Kyler Murray is a top-twelve quarterback, and he should be able to do enough this season to get the Cardinals over this number. They can steal two or three games in the division. As we have seen in years past, divisional games tend to be tight in the West.
You can tail the over on DraftKings, where you can also get up to $1,000 in DK Dollars when you sign up and deposit at least $5. Learn more below!
