The NFC West Is the Best Division in Football and It’s Not Even Close

Nothing gets me more excited for the NFL season than looking through the odds. Whether it be the odds for who will win the major awards, or if it’s game lines that have been set for opening week, the odds give us a sneak peak of what to expect from the upcoming season.

When looking at the odds to win each division, it’s clear that the NFC West is going to be the division to watch in 2021. If you try to tell me that there’s a division out there that’s stronger than this one, you’re objectively wrong and you should feel bad about your opinion.

Every division in football has that one team that everyone is fairly certain will finish third or fourth, but that’s not the case with the NFC West, or as I will dub it, the NFC Best.

The Arizona Cardinals are last on the odds list to win the division, but even they are set with respectable +500 odds at WynnBET. That means that the team that’s projected to be the worst in the division, is still being given a 16.67% chance of winning it.

Let’s take a look at the odds for each team.

Los Angeles Rams +180

The Rams are currently set as co-favorites to win the division alongside the San Francisco 49ers. Los Angeles finished second in the division in 2020, and went on to defeat the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round before losing to the Packers in the Divisional round.

The Rams boasted one of the best defenses in 2020, allowing the fewest yards per game at 292.9, but their offense was lacking. Despite their stellar defense, the Rams offense averaged only 23.3 points per game which was 22nd in the NFL. With a stronger offense, the Rams could have been serious Super Bowl contenders last year.

Now with former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford behind center, Los Angeles is hoping to have a more explosive offense in 2021. If they can come close to matching the production of their 2018 NFC Champion team that averaged 30.8 points per game, the Rams are in for a successful season.

San Francisco 49ers +180

Despite the 49ers finishing last in the NFC West last season with a disappointing 6-10 record, WynnBET expects them to bounce back in 2021 as they have them set as the +180 co-favorites to win the division.

The 49ers were bitten by the injury bug early and often in 2020, as almost every single one of their top players saw time on the injured reserve list. Those players included Jimmy Garoppolo, Solomon Thomas, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Richard Sherman and George Kittle.

With the 49ers retooled and healthy for 2021, it’s not a stretch to imagine them back in the form they were in during the 2019 season when they went on a run that resulted in a Super Bowl berth.

Seattle Seahawks +310

An NFC West division crown last season ended in disappointment after the Seahawks lost to the Rams in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.

It’s hard to count out a team that has Russell Wilson as their quarterback, but Seattle has a lot of holes they need to address in 2021 if they hope to repeat their success. The Seahawks offensive line has left a lot to be desired, as they ranked 29th in the NFL in sacks per game in 2020.

While the Seahawks have ample weapons at wideout in 2021, including DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and possibly Julio Jones, it’s hard to get the ball to them if Wilson has limited time to throw.

Seattle also had a porous pass defense in 2020, ranking 30th in the NFL in opponent passing yards per game at 278.2. It will be a tall order for the Seahawks to win the NFC Best in 2021.

Arizona Cardinals +500

Bringing up the rear is the Arizona Cardinals, but don’t be ready to count them out yet. With the longest odds to win the division, they may present the best betting value considering this division is truly anyone’s to win.

Quarterback Kyler Murray went on a stretch of games during the 2020 NFL season that put him firmly in the conversation for NFL MVP, but a nagging injury plagued him for the final few weeks of the season, and the Cardinals missed the playoffs by finishing with an 8-8 record.

Despite the banged up Murray, the Cardinals gained the sixth most offensive yards per game last season at 384.5. By adding A.J. Green to the mix, they now have one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the NFL.

If you’re looking for a value bet, the Cardinals to win the NFC West at +500 just might be what you’re looking for.