2021 NFC West Betting Preview

Aug 16, 2021

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

My divisional preview series is designed to be a long-form extension of our Move The Line division betting breakdowns. I'll be previewing each division while providing you with insight on the best ways to bet on each team. This article focuses on the NFC West

The 49ers are attempting to walk a tightrope in 2021. They're looking to work their way through the best division in football while also developing and, at some point, handing the keys to third overall pick Trey Lance. One thing working in the 49ers' favor? They face the easiest schedule in the league in 2021.

Expectations are exceedingly high in Los Angeles. The Rams somehow managed to trade Jared Goff and his massive contract before it even kicked in. Sean McVay spent the offseason publicly drooling over new signal-caller Matthew Stafford every chance he got.

Seattle is looking to bottle the first half of their 2020 season, where Russell Wilson was an MVP front-runner, and the Seahawks rolled out of bed and scored 30+ each week. New offensive coordinator Shane Waldron inherits a gold mine of talent, but questions on the defensive side of the ball need to be answered if Seattle is going to contend.

The Cardinals also want to turn back the clock to the beginning of the 2020 season. A 6-3 start had Arizona earmarked for a playoff berth, but Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid offense sputtered down the stretch in 2020. I'm not sure Kingsbury can, or should, survive another 7-8 win season.