Predict Successful Wagers in the NFC West Football Division

Rewritten Article:

The NFC West might have had a rough time last season, with just 23 wins in total and no team making it to the playoffs. The division's bottom two teams, the San Francisco 49ers (2-14) and Los Angeles Rams (4-12), even parted ways with their coaches, while the Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1) experienced a six-game drop in their win count. The Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) captured the division title for the third time in four years, but their playoff run was quickly halted by the Atlanta Falcons (36-20).

Is a turnaround for the once strong West on the horizon? Although there's some reason for optimism in LA and SF Bay Area, the balance of power still resides in the Pacific Northwest. By examining the projected win totals for 2017, it's clear that we're dealing with tight lines, with little obvious value. However, there's some info to go on, so let's dive into it.

Don't forget to check out our previews for the AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, and AFC West before making your wagers, especially on a futures bet. You'll want to ensure you're getting the best type of bonus.

Seattle Seahawks: under 10.5

The Seahawks have a challenging schedule ahead, making it tough to hit the over. Adding to the difficulty is their daunting out-of-conference road schedule, which includes games against Green Bay and Dallas, two powerhouses in the NFC, as well as Tennessee and Jacksonville, teams that could make some noise this season. What's more, Seattle has struggled against the Rams lately, losing three of their last four games against them.

Despite being a solid team, potentially the best in the division, I'd hesitate to bet on them winning 11 games against this schedule. The Seahawks ended the 2016 season ranked 10th in passing yards but 25th in rushing. However, the NFL has transformed into a passing league, and Seattle plays its best when they can power through with the run game. Pairing Eddie Lacy with Thomas Rawls should help restore balance and power to the offense.

If the Seahawks can establish a strong running game, this bet becomes a lot more appealing. But relying on a man from Louisiana to jumpstart his career is a risky proposition, to say the least.

Arizona Cardinals: over 8.0

The Cardinals, who enjoyed a 13-win season in 2015, had a disappointing 2016. They struggled in special teams, costing them in tight games, but across the board, this team seems to be faltering. Carson Palmer, now 37 years old, even questioned whether to retire this offseason. The team had to decide whether to franchise Calais Campbell, ultimately losing a vital defensive stalwart. During the draft, the Cardinals drafted versatile defensive players and signed veteran free agents, hinting that they still aim to compete at the highest level in 2017.

Larry Fitzgerald, also 33, is a motivating factor in the team's decisions, while elite talent like David Johnson and a defense anchored by Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu provide hope for eight wins on this season's schedule. It's possible that some of the team's struggles in 2016 were due to tight and improbable losses. With the team in full "win-now" mode, the over looks more attractive. However, your bet here is a measure of your faith in Bruce Arians and the Cardinals' front office.

Los Angeles Rams: under 5.5

With a young new head coach, a big investment in the quarterback position, and a promising crop of free agents and draftees, the Rams are aiming to improve upon their four-win season, which ultimately got Jeff Fisher fired. Eking out six wins could prove challenging for Sean McVay, especially considering that, excluding the 49ers, the Rams don't play a single team all season with a lower projected win/loss tally than themselves. Those games against the 49ers won't be a walk in the park, either, given their potential offensive verve under Kyle Shanahan.

The Rams' success in 2017 will largely depend on the development of quarterback Jared Goff. Despite being selected first overall in the draft last year, Goff posted a subpar 22.9 QBR in seven starts. Goff faced some steep challenges as a rookie, including a struggling offense, a questionable offensive line, and a head coach on the brink of termination. However, we're still unsure how much Goff will improve in his second year, even with veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth joining the squad. The future of the franchise is closely tied to Goff's future, particularly since the team traded up to snag him with the top pick. Goff's growth from his rookie year to his sophomore year will give us the best insights into the team's future.

The Rams currently find themselves in a difficult position as a franchise, and expecting them to win six games against tougher teams is a significant ask.

San Francisco 49ers: over 4.5

The 49ers are aiming to recover from one of the worst seasons in their history, having managed just two victories. Their hiring of Kyle Shanahan, who served as offensive coordinator for the NFC-champion Atlanta Falcons, has been well-received. Shanahan's offense thrived during his tenure, providing a welcome contrast to the underwhelming performances under Chip Kelly. The team performed well in its first draft under Shanahan and the new front office, led by John Lynch, picking up defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster.

The 49ers are in the midst of a rebuild, and despite prioritizing long-term success over quick wins, they should at least take a step forward from the 2016 squad, perhaps even winning five games in one of the weakest divisions in football. Betting the over on the 49ers is somewhat of a gamble, but with new defensive talent and experienced offensive leadership, they have a chance to improve enough to surpass a relatively low bar.

The San Francisco 49ers, with their new head coach Kyle Shanahan and a rebuilt roster, might plausibly win more than four games this season, given that they're competing in one of the weakest divisions in football.
The 49ers' hiring of Shanahan, who previously facilitated the high-scoring offense for the NFC-champion Atlanta Falcons, offers a promising contrast to the underwhelming performances under their previous coach, Chip Kelly.
The balance of power in the NFC West is still predominantly held by the Seattle Seahawks, despite the potential for a turnaround in the LA and SF Bay Area.
The Los Angeles Rams, despite a new head coach, a significant investment in the quarterback position, and promising draft picks, might end up winning fewer than five and a half games this season, given their challenging schedule and doubts about the development of quarterback Jared Goff.