NFL Futures: Best Bet to Win the NFC West (2020)
The NFC West figures to be one of the toughest divisions in football. We’ve got two teams that could challenge for the top spot in the NFC, one team that is a year removed from playing in the Super Bowl and one team that appears to be on the rise. Which is the best bet to win the division? Let’s take a closer look at the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. You can also check out our consensus odds to win the NFC West here.
Get a risk-free bet up to $500 at FanDuel Sportsbook >>
San Francisco 49ers
Odds To Win NFC West: +100
The 49ers – as defending NFC champions – deserve to be the favorite to win the NFC again. They are loaded. Their defense was nasty last season with rookie Nick Bosa leading the way. Now Bosa is going to be even better, and the other members of the defense should be able to maintain a high standard of play. The offense was solid, and now it has offensive lineman Trent Williams, who came over from the Washington football team in the offseason. The Niners are deep, they are balanced, they are well-coached by Kyle Shanahan, and there was very little turnover on their coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was linked to NFL head coaching jobs plus the head coaching job at Michigan State University. Yet, he decided to stay put, giving the 49ers continuity and stability. If quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo – whose overthrown pass late in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs cost the Niners a championship – can bounce back from his Super Bowl loss, the Niners are one of the teams to beat in the entire NFL.
Seattle Seahawks
Odds To Win NFC West: +240
The Seahawks came just a few yards short of beating the 49ers in the final game of the 2019 regular season. They would have won the NFC West if they had been able to punch in that final touchdown. They are almost at the 49ers’ level, and now they have safety Jamal Adams, acquired by trade with the New York Jets. The Seahawks don’t yet know if they will retain defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney. Admittedly, the acquisition of Adams limits Seattle’s financial flexibility with Clowney, so the Seahawks’ defense could take a hit. However, getting Adams certainly improves a mediocre secondary, giving Seattle a better pass defense for 2020. If a subpar offensive line can do a serviceable and competent job of protecting quarterback Russell Wilson, this team could make a deep playoff run. The Seahawks should certainly be able to return to the playoffs; the question is if they can return to the NFC Championship Game, which they haven’t made in five years.
Los Angeles Rams
Odds To Win NFC West: +370
The strength of the NFC West comes from this division’s ability to consistently generate deep playoff runs from its teams. The 49ers won the NFC last year. The Rams won the NFC the year before. Last season, the Rams ran into roadblocks, a sign of how competitive the division is. The NFC West has put at least one team in the NFC Championship Game in seven of the past nine NFL seasons, missing only in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Rams know how hard it is to not only get to the top of the division but stay on top.
The Rams know that after a rough 2019 season, quarterback Jared Goff has to rebound in 2020. It’s that simple. The Rams’ defense wasn’t always great last year, but it wasn’t terrible. The offense didn’t perform to its normal standards – especially the offensive line. That is where the Rams have to improve this year.
Arizona Cardinals
Odds To Win NFC West: +900
The Cardinals were not a very good team last year and yet they still almost won at San Francisco, and they did win at Seattle. Now, a talented offense has an improved defense. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons picked eighth in the 2020 NFL Draft, gives Arizona a big upgrade on defense. The Clemson star should make Arizona much faster in the back seven. Simmons might even be able to play safety in a hybrid role. The offensive line is the big weak spot for the Cardinals but they did pick up Josh Jones with their third-round pick. If that unit can moderately improve over 2019 and DeAndre Hopkins gives the receiving corps a big shot in the arm, this team has a real chance to make the playoffs with Kyler Murray at quarterback.
Who’ll Win The Division?
I’m looking at both odds and quality here and it’s tough to bet against San Francisco. I probably wouldn’t bet it at even money because this is the NFL and the 49ers aren’t that much of a lock. I’d bet the Seahawks in this spot. As long as Wilson plays, they’ll have a shot to win the West and the payout is reasonable here.
The Pick: Seattle Seahawks win the NFC West (+240) at FanDuel Sportsbook.
View the top deposit bonuses and promo codes for each sportsbook >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section — including How to Make an Online Sports Bet — or head to more advanced strategy — like How to Set and Maintain Your Sports Betting Budget — to learn more.
Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.