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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 17: Ernest Jones IV #13 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates an interception during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
It isn’t often that one division can boast multiple Super Bowl contenders. Every now and then, two teams present as legitimate threats to win it all. I do not ever remember THREE (caps for emphasis) teams that inarguably are among the favorites to represent the NFC (or AFC for that matter) in the Super Bowl. If one team didn’t absolutely stink, we could be discussing this division as the most talented of all time. As it is it’s pretty close.
Of course I’m talking about the NFC West. Your defending champion lives here after all. The craziest thing of all is one of the three could miss the playoffs depending on how the rest of the conference performs. Let’s get right to it.
Check out my odds and previews here for the NFC South, AFC South, NFC East and AFC East.
Odds from Caesar’s Sportsbook.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Elijah Higgins #84 and James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate a fourth quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Arizona Cardinals +9000 to win Win total over 4.5 +150
We’ll get the preliminaries out of the way first. This team has not been good for a long time. The Kyler Murray experiment failed (good luck to him in Minnesota though, I like him). A new head coach is in place. They drafted an absolute stud at running back. Jeremiyah Love is the real deal. A new quarterback room has youth and experience. The offense though will be built around Love, which is a curious choice to be sure. The offensive line is still horrible, the receiving corps is ok (waiting on you Marvin Harrison) and the defense is hot garbage.
Head coach Mike LaFleur will make Arizona better, they’re just in the wrong division to see any progress anytime soon. Carson Beck gets the start in the preseason opener, an expected move as he will wear the headset this year behind Jacoby Brissett. Take under the win total here as Arizona will go winless in the West and play a very difficult schedule in general.
Prediction : 2-4 wins
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the game at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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San Francisco 49ers +300 to win Win total over 10.5 +110
The true wildcard in the West. The Niners are as talented as anyone and would be a solid favorite in about four other divisions around the league. Two problems exist here though and they are Los Angeles and Seattle. Well, make that three problems. The team can’t stay healthy. George Kittle started camp on the PUP list. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the centerpieces of the offseason moves, are battling nagging injuries. Ricky Pearsall is done for the season after surgery. Can Christian McAffrey play more than half the season? He has to if San Francisco contends. This whole power substation thing is starting to become an issue online.
On defense, two major additions strengthen an already solid unit. Osa Odighizuwa and Dee Greenlaw are impact guys and makes the front seven very formidable. If this team gets healthy Brock Purdy and company should put up enough points to win 12-13 games this season and be solidly in the mix come postseason.
Prediction : 11 wins and a wildcard.
TOPSHOT - Seattle Seahawks' players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
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Seattle Seahawks +220 to win Win total over 10.5 -115
The defending Super Bowl champions are in a great position to make another run at the Lombardi. Sam Darnold must remain steady, which is what he’s (apparently) good at. Zach Charbonnet is tasked with replacing the departed Kenneth Walker. The offense will be just fine. The wide receiver unit (Smith-Njigba, Kupp, Shaheed) is among the best in the league. The defense will again be a terror. Overall depth may be a concern but no more than other teams face. Health is the key to another run. Outside of winning golf’s Grand Slam, repeating as Super Bowl champs is the hardest feat in sports. Residing in football’s group of death (shoutout Wirld Cup) won’t help matters either. Of the big three out west, Seattle’s quarterback situation is the least desirable. Darnold must not be a one-hit wonder. His backups are Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe. Uh-oh.
Prediction : 10 wins and sweating the playoffs
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams and teammates celebrate with Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Rams -105 to win Win total over 11.5 -140
When you are a solid favorite in the toughest division in the NFL, expectations are almost too lofty. The Rams were within an eyelash of the Super Bowl last season. So they did what most elite franchises do. They went out and got better. Overshadowed by the blockbuster acquisition of Myles Garrett, the Rams went and got one of the best corners alive in Trent McDuffie. His former teammate Jaylen Watson joins him in the defensive backfield. Oh, and by the way, Aaron Donald may be on the way. The defense could and should be scarily dominant. The offense rests on ...
PreviewNFC WestRamsSeahawksCardinalsErnest Jones IVSeattle SeahawksSan FranciscoNFC Divisional PlayoffLumen FieldSeattleWashington
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