The NFC West for three seasons has been perceived as a two-horse race between the Seahawks and 49ers. San Francisco, though, is coming off an 8-8 season and is dealing with a change in regime, with Jim Tomsula replacing Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
Expectations for the Niners have fallen considerably in Las Vegas. In fact, based on odds posted at the Westgate SuperBook, what's expected for San Fran is a last-place finish and a below-.500 season.
The betting market, on the other hand, anticipates the Seahawks' dominance to continue. Their win total of 11 (OVER +100) is the highest in the league, and at 5-to-1, they are co-favorites with the Packers to win Super Bowl 50.
Then, there's the division's duo of improving clubs, the Cardinals and Rams. Coming off back-to-back seasons of double-digits wins, could Arizona be a bargain at OVER 8.5 wins?
Here's a snapshot of season win totals and futures odds for the NFC West, as well as our outlook on each team. Odds are current as of Monday, May 25.
Seahawks
Season win total: 11 (OVER +100, UNDER -120)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 5/1
Odds to win division: 1/4
The Linemakers’ take: Last season started sluggishly with a Super Bowl hangover, but this year they come in irritated from their Super Bowl loss and also added Jimmy Graham to their offensive attack. They’ll be a factor again in late January.
Cardinals
Season win total: 8.5 (OVER -110, UNDER -110)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
Odds to win division: 5/1
The Linemakers’ take: Started 6-0 last season with Carson Palmer at QB, and the defense managed to keep them in games even after he was hurt. They ended with the best cover record (11-5 ATS) in the NFL. Great nucleus of hungry players ready for another double-digit win season.
Rams
Season win total: 8 (OVER -110, UNDER -110)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1
Odds to win division: 7/1
The Linemakers’ take: This should be a fun team to watch with Jeff Fisher finally getting a QB to run his offense (Nick Foles) aided by a stacked group of talented running backs. The defensive talent is there, too, but playoffs may still be a season away.
49ers
Season win total: 7.5 (OVER +135, UNDER -155)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1
Odds to win division: 14/1
The Linemakers’ take: New head coach Jim Tomsula doesn’t have the luxury Jim Harbaugh had four years ago when taking over Mike Singletary’s talented roster. However, eight wins is achievable again.
More division outlooks: NFC East | NFC North
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