NFC West 2024-25 Odds: Can the Rams Upset the 49ers?

San Francisco 49ers (-190)

• NFC West Position in 2023-24: 1st (12-5)
• Key Players In: Leonard Floyd (DE), Maliek Collins (DT), Jordan Elliott (DT), De’Vondre Campbell (LB)
• Key Players Out: Arik Armstead (DT), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Chase Young (DE)
• Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan

The San Francisco 49ers got their rematch in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it was the same story as in 2020, with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. How will the 49ers respond this time?

San Francisco must tweak a defensive line that lost some impact players in the offseason. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead signed a three-year contract worth up to $51 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s a blow to a player who was a running game disruptor.

Additionally, Javon Kinlaw departed for the East Coast to play for the New York Jets. On the end of the line, Chase Young traded the Bay Area for the Big Easy. As a result, the 49ers have some new faces up front, with defensive end Leonard Floyd, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins signing with San Francisco.

The 49ers’ defense finished eighth in the NFL, with 303.9 yards allowed per game. They conceded 89.7 yards per game on the ground — one of the best numbers in the NFL. Replacing Armstead’s production, whose presence was often overlooked, will be tough.

A dime to Deebo 🎯

More highlights on https://t.co/vpdsX5r07D pic.twitter.com/58S4TAjmnt

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) June 23, 2024

On the bright side, the offense didn’t lose any playmakers in the offseason. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is currently trying to come to terms on a new contract with the 49ers. Otherwise, the 49ers’ offense is in good hands with Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey.

That being said, the 49ers should have stronger competition this season, so I am not excited about laying -190 NFC North odds on the Niners.

Los Angeles Rams (+375)

• NFL West Position in 2023-24: 2nd (10-7)
• Key Players In: Tre’Davious White (CB), Darious Williams (CB), Kamren Curl (S), Jonah Jackson (OG)
• Key Players Out: Aaron Donald (DT), Jordan Fuller (S), Ahkello Witherspoon (CB)
• Head Coach: Sean McVay

The Rams were expected to take a huge dive and regress last season. However, they were competitive and made the playoffs on a 10-7 record. Sean McVay’s squad went 7-1 in the team’s final eight games to punch their ticket to Detroit for the NFL Wild Card.

Matthew Stafford met the team he led for 12 seasons at Ford Field. In an entertainment matchup, the Rams came up just short in a 24-23 loss. Despite covering the point spread, they came two points shy of winning their eighth game in nine attempts.

Nevertheless, the Rams learned a lot about that team, including that Stafford can still play at a high level when he’s injury-free. He missed Cooper Kupp’s absence early on in the season, but developed a strong rapport with rookie Puka Nacua, who took the league by storm!

A 50-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua!! pic.twitter.com/0LZl6VgSI5

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 15, 2024

When Kupp returned, the Rams were off and running emphatically on offense. The defense lost a key figure in defensive tackle Aaron Donald after his retirement. The ten-time Pro Bowl player will be missed. Additionally, the Rams said goodbye to safety Jordan Fuller in the secondary.

However, the front office did well in acquiring cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams. The defense has a chance to show improvement despite Donald’s departure. And, with Nacua and some young pieces on the offense developing, the Rams have a chance to exceed expectations again in 2024-25!

Seattle Seahawks (+500)

• NFC West Position in 2023-24: 3rd (9-9)
• Key Players In: Jerome Baker (LB), Tyrel Dodson (LB), Rayshawn Jenkins (S)
• Key Players Out: Bobby Wagner (LB), Jordyn Brooks (LB), Jamal Adams (S), Quandre Diggs (S)
• Head Coach: Mike Macdonald

After an underwhelming 9-9 season under Pete Carroll, the organization went in a different and younger direction. 36-year-old former Michigan and Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired by the Seahawks in the offseason.

He is a defensive-minded coach looking to get this defense back to the “Legion of Boom” days. He certainly has work to do on a defense that won’t have Bobby Wagner or Jordyn Brooks at linebacker any longer.

The Seahawks replaced them with Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, but this isn’t the same feared defense of the past. Last year, Seattle finished third-last in the NFL, allowing an average of 371.4 yards per game.

They were anemic against the run, and I don’t see much improvement in 2024-25. With this in mind, the Seahawks’ odds to win the NFC West are about where I’d have them at +500, if not slightly higher at +575. Quarterback Geno Smith returns to a competent, but likely an underperforming offense in 2024-25.

Of all QBs with at least 15 attempts 25+ yards downfield in 2023, only one had a catchable pass percentage of 80% or higher:

Geno Smith pic.twitter.com/pjbxEP3c4s

— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) June 25, 2024

Seattle has weapons with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should see a leap, but Smith won’t get much protection behind a weak offensive line.

There may be some growing pains in the first season under Macdonald. The Seahawks’ 2024-25 NFC West betting odds do not have any value at +500.

Arizona Cardinals (+1300)

• NFC West Position in 2023-24: 4th (4-13)
• Key Players In: Jonah Williams (OT), Justin Jones (DT), Mack Wilson Sr. (LB)
• Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB), Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)
• Key Players Out: J. Watt (DE), Ezekiel Turner (LB), Rondale Moore (WR), Marquise Brown (WR)
• Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon

The Arizona Cardinals will be a work-in-progress again this season. New head coach Jonathan Gannon inherits a team in rebuilding mode. There are still some pieces left over from a team that used to be competitive.

Quarterback Kyler Murray remains in Arizona, and he isn’t going to have room for many more excuses shortly. The Cardinals drafted star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the 4th overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I was really pleased how he performed throughout the offseason.”

Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing says he’ll learn more about WR Marvin Harrison Jr. when they put on the pads in training camp, but the rookie has impressed. pic.twitter.com/Xpd3L8zQ2F

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) June 27, 2024

The son of the Indianapolis Colts’ legend Marvin Harrison, Harrison Jr. has sky-high expectations. Much like his father, he will be asked to take games over with superior route running and ball skills. He and James Connor will be asked to be the focal point of the Cardinals’ offense.

Arizona is turning in the right direction, but it’s only a small turn at the moment. As a +1300 longshot, the Cardinals are better off left alone by bettors to win the NFC West.