NFC West: NFL 2015/16 Season Betting Preview

Welcome to the NFC West, also formerly known as the best division in football. Can the Seahawks continue their reign after their Super Bowl disappointment?

It’s still Seattle and everybody else after on the NFC West odds board heading into the 2015 season, but the gap is narrowing. Seattle was 13-3 in the regular season and marched through the playoffs before a goal line interception did them in against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. San Francisco, which was 12-4 last year, may have taken a step back following a terrible offseason of arrests and departures. The Cardinals went 10-6 despite Carson Palmer’s injury and could be ready to take the next step, while the St. Louis Rams turn the page at quarterback and running back and hope their young squad is on the rise.

NFL Betting Odds

Seattle Seahawks -250 to win the division

The Seattle Seahawks did everything they could to make sure they won’t be burned by red zone offence this year after last season’s Super Bowl collapse. With the addition of tight end Jimmy Graham now in the mix, newly-signed Russell Wilson now has a trio of big receiving targets to go along with running back Marshawn Lynch in the backfield. The first-string offence will produce big numbers if healthy. The main concern with this team is its depth. Of course, you can say that about pretty much every team in the NFL. Look for Seattle’s offence to steal some of the spotlight from the defence this year. When you have a red-zone threat like Jimmy Graham, field goals tend to turn into touchdowns.

Regular season win total over/under 11

Arizona Cardinals +401 to win the division

The Cardinals stumbled once Carson Palmer went down with a season-ending knee injury and lost four of their last six regular season games before falling to Carolina in the playoffs. This year, the team’s success depends on Palmer again. If he stays upright, the Cardinals can put some numbers on the board.  Arizona was one of five teams to give up fewer than 300 points last year but will need to overcome losing a couple of mainstays on defence. Dan Williams, Larry Foote and Antonio Cromartie are all gone and this unit may need some time to come together.

Regular season win total over/under 8.5.

San Francisco 49ers +900 to win the division

Are the 49ers doomed in 2015? It certainly looks like it. San Francisco experienced one of the nastiest offseasons we’ve seen in years with numerous arrests plaguing the roster while coach Jim Harbaugh, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Anthony Davis, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis), Aldon Smith, and Chris Borland (inside linebacker) all skipped town. That leaves a lot of weight on the shoulders of newcomers Reggie Bush, Torrey Smith, and Darnell Dockett. Basically, expectations are at a low we haven’t seen in a long time. These aren’t your older brother’s 49ers. Look for these Niners to lean on their offence more this year, if for no other reason than their defence could be much, much worse.

Regular season win total over/under 7

St. Louis Rams +900 to win the division

You have to hand it to the Rams for embracing change. They went 6-10 last year but showed a lot of promise from a young roster and still made major moves like trading swapping Sam Bradford for Nick Foles. That could be a deal that helps both teams but Foles doesn’t have a true No. 1 receiver and will be playing behind an inexperience offensive line. While the offence might be a work in progress, this defence is full of young playmakers from the defensive line to the secondary. If St. Louis’ defence lives up to its potential, it could by the offence some time to come together. The Rams aren’t ready to challenge Seattle yet, but they aren’t far off from becoming contenders either.