Star-Studded 49ers Still The Team To Beat in the NFC West
After Reaching the Super Bowl, the 2024 NFC West Division Odds Favor the 49ers To Reign Supreme
After Losing Just One Division Game, the 49ers Remain The NFC West Juggernaut
The last time we saw the San Francisco 49ers, they were falling just short in the quest for the franchise’s first Super Bowl in nearly 30 years. The 49ers are favored in the 2024 NFC West Division odds to win the division for the fourth time in the last six years.
The race for second place in the NFC West might be more compelling than the battle for the division title with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals looking to make a push for the playoffs.
- After representing the NFC in the most recent Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers have the shortest odds at +230 to win the NFC title once again. The Rams (+1400) are seventh, with Seattle (+3500) and Arizona (+5000) well back in the NFC championships odds.
Arizona will be the first of the NFC West teams to hit the field during the regular season as the Cardinals are seven-point underdogs in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. The Seahawks are favored by five points versus the visiting Denver Broncos while the Los Angeles Rams get a Sunday night game against the favored Detroit Lions in Week 1. The 49ers wrap up the opening week of the season as 5.5-point favorites against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Here’s a look at the four NFC West teams heading into the 2024 season.
San Francisco 49ers (12-5 in 2023, lost to Kansas City in the Super Bowl)
For all the chatter that either Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel would be traded, both receivers are back, and the 49ers used their first pick on receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, and offensive tackle Trent Williams are as good as any other player in the NFL at their position, as quarterback Brock Purdy has an embarrassment of riches to work with. It is not a surprise to see the 49ers at -200 to win the NFC West title once again.
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and defensive end Leonard Floyd were the critical additions through free agency as he joins defensive end Nick Bosa, linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner, and safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was limited to 10 games last season, on defense.
Los Angeles Rams (10-7, lost to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round)
Future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired, and that leaves a huge hole to fill in the middle of the defense for the Rams as Los Angeles is second at +325 in the 2024 NFC West Division odds.
Leading tackler Ernest Jones, safety Jordan Fuller, and last year’s rookie stars Kobie Turner and Byron Young are key returnees on defense.
At the NFL free agency start, the Rams added former Detroit offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. Is that enough to protect veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford as he looks to connect with Cooper Kupp and last year’s rookie surprise Puka Nacua?
Keeping running back Kyren Williams healthy will be crucial. The Rams did add former Michigan running back Blake Corum through the draft.
When considering the NFL expert picks, keep in mind that the Rams had the second-best winning percentage against the spread last season.
Seattle Seahawks (9-8 in 2023, missed the playoffs)
Seattle added some insurance for quarterback Geno Smith with the addition of former Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell. Veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, former University of Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy, and former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker were added to help improve the defense.
The biggest change is at the top with head coach Pete Carroll being replaced by former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
Running back Kenneth Walker joins receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf as the top offensive playmakers. The Seahawks continue to address the offensive line through the NFL Draft with third-round pick Christian Haynes the most recent addition.
Seattle looks to defy the NFL odds as the Seahawks are priced at +700 in the 2024 NFC West Division odds.
Arizona Cardinals (4-13 in 2023, missed the playoffs)
Arizona was 0-6 against NFC West teams a season ago so that will need to change.
Quarterback Kyler Murray only played in eight games in 2023, and running back James Conner missed four games. If they can stay healthy, that will be a step in the right direction. However, Arizona is still fourth at +1200 in the NFC West Division odds.
Murray will be looking for rookie receiver Marvin Harrison early and often this season while the addition of offensive lineman Jonah Williams should help an offense that scored the fewest points among NFC West teams in 2023.
When looking at the NFL preseason schedule, Harrison should make his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints on August 10.
There is still plenty of work that needs to be done on defense. Signing defensive tackle Justin Jones should help but from a talent standpoint, Arizona’s defense is lagging behind the other teams in the division.
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