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The NFL’s NFC West division has been ruled by the Los Angeles Rams the last two seasons but this year, it looks to be exciting with the return of Jimmy Garoppolo, the extension of Russell Wilson and the arrival of Kyler Murray in Arizona.
The Rams, Seahawks and 49ers have opened the 2019 season with identical 2-0 records. The Cardinals have yet to win a game but had a dramatic tie in their week 2 assignment. With these recent developments, there is plenty to be excited about the NFC West this year. However, despite that, the Rams are still the clear cut favorites to win the division.
Here are the odds to win the NFL’s NFC West Division this season from Titanbet.com:
- LA Rams -182
- Seattle Seahawks +320
- San Francisco 49ers +350
- Arizona Cardinals +5000
Who Are The Favorites?
The Los Angeles Rams are the NFL betting favorites to win the NFC West title this coming season. Los Angeles won this division the last two years and made a trip to the Super Bowl last season. In 2018, the Rams finished three games ahead of their closest rivals- the Seattle Seahawks who were at 10-6. On the other hand, the 49ers and Cardinals had losing seasons at 4-12 and 3-13, respectively.
There were no major losses for the Rams during the offseason and with the addition of linebacker Clay Matthews and safety Eric Weddle, their already good defense has even gotten better. On offense, they added Blake Bortles to back up Jared Goff but otherwise, there have been no big changes overall.
The Rams have one of the most explosive offenses in the league and Goff will be eager to have Cooper Kupp who tore his ACL in week 14 of last season.The major concern for Los Angeles is Todd Gurley’s health. It can be recalled that Gurley was slowed down by a knee injury late in the season. Gurley rushed for only 35 yards on 10 carries in the Super Bowl and that really didn’t help. But if Gurley returns to his old form and Jared Goff continues to improve, there’s no reason why the Rams will win a third straight NFC West division title and possibly return to the next Super Bowl.
The Seattle Seahawks delivered a surprise 10-6 season in 2018 and clinched a wild card berth. That said, they are considered as the major threat to the Rams in the NFC West. The Seahawks lost to the Rams twice last season but not after giving them a good fight in both games. Last season’s success suggests that the Seahawks could do better this year.
Seattle extended quarterback Russell Wilson for another four years via a $140M deal. The Seahawks also added Jadeveon Clowney from the Houston Texans. Clowney is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and if he can stay healthy, he can help turn the Seahawks’ defense to an elite unit.
The San Francisco 49ers were 4-12 last season but their failure to win the last time out was mainly because of the injuries they suffered throughout the season. That kind of bad luck doesn’t happen every year and the 49ers have plenty of optimism this year with Jimmy Garoppolo back from a torn ACL which he suffered in week 3 of the 2018 season. On the defensive end, San Francisco added edge rusher Dee Ford from the Kansas City Chiefs and they also picked Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa with the second overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a 3-13 season and they fired coach Steve Wilks after just one year and replaced him with Kliff Kingsbury. The former Texas Tech mentor is known as an offensive guru and has with him an exciting offensive team in Arizona. Kingsbury drafted Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray with the #1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Undersized but talented, Murray threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns while also rushing for 1001 yards and picking up 12 rushing touchdowns for the Sooners last season. The jury is still out on Murray but as a dual-threat quarterback, he’s a guy who could potentially turn the Cardinals to an offensive machine.
Who Wins?
The Rams have opened the 2019 season with back to back wins over the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. Jared Goff has totalled 469 passing yards in two games while Cooper Kupp has caught 166 yards in two games played. But the big sigh of relief is Todd Gurley rushing for 180 yards in two games and showing no effects of the injury which slowed him down at the end of last season. With Los Angeles’ main offensive cogs working and Aaron Donald still causing havoc with or without sacks, it’s going to be hard not to bet on the Rams not just for the division title but to win the NFC conference as well.
The 49ers are also off to a fast 2-0 start. Jimmy G. has has looked great, throwin 463 yards with four touchdowns. The 49ers have scored 72 points in two games and their defense has allowed only 17 points per game this season while scoring two touchdowns already. The Seahawks are likewise 2-0 on the season with wins over Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Russell Wilson is proving his new contract right with 495 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in two games played. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have caught more than 100 yards each and Chris Carson is off to a good start. The Cardinals lost to the Ravens in week one and forced a tie with the Lions in week 2. I think the future is bright with Kyler Murray but this year could be too early for them to make noise.
All things considered, the talent and experience of the Rams should lead them to another NFC West victory. I’m picking the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC West. Prediction: Los Angeles Rams
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