The 12-4 Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West in 2020 and were joined in the playoffs by the 10-6 Los Angeles Rams. The Arizona Cardinals finished at an even .500 while the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers were last at 6-10.
The Rams defeated the Seahawks 30-20 in the Wildcard, only to fall to the Green Bay Packers a week later.
Odds to Win NFC West in 2021
Los Angeles Rams Team Preview 2021
The Rams are co-favorites to take the division at +175.
LA upgraded at quarterback by trading Jared Goff and picks to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford. The West’s new star is fourth all-time in passing yards per game, an iron man, and an early MVP candidate.
The Rams did not have a first-round pick, but an offseason acquisition of DeSean Jackson gives Stafford a vertical threat. Jackson will join Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in what is a top-five receiving corps in the NFL. The Rams also have exceptional running backs, Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, that will play key parts in LA’s success.
Coach Sean McVay’s squad is only two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance and will be out for blood. They had the second-most sacks and allowed the fewest passing yards last season, rallying behind Leonard Floyd and Jalen Ramsey. They have a better roster than they did when they reached Super Bowl LIII and could easily make it back.
San Francisco 49ers Team Preview 2021
Another recent Super Bowl participant, the 49ers are tied with the Rams at +175 to take the division title.
San Francisco drafted QB Trey Lance with the third pick, who could feature soon if Jimmy Garoppolo underperforms. The Niners had the league’s best defense during their 2020 run and will get Nick Bosa back at full strength.
SF also has a top-two middle-linebacker in Fred Warner, who alongside Bosa, is capable of single-handedly changing the game.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has one of the league’s most creative minds; his teams are disciplined and tough to beat. With a healthy roster in front of him, his West Coast system and talented playmakers are set up to shine.
Seattle Seahawks Team Preview 2021
Last year’s division champions are +300 to win the division, mostly due to a porous offensive line and inconsistent defense.
Seattle will always be a playoff contender with MVP candidate Russell Wilson regardless of the team around him. His leading target, DK Metcalf, caught 83 passes for 1,303 yards last season, good for seventh in the league.
The Seahawks have a solid running back in Chris Carson and will have no problems scoring the ball.
Rumors floated during the offseason that Wilson was unhappy in Seattle, and if the team underperforms, he could be traded. With that being said, it is hard to imagine the Hawks producing a losing record.
Arizona Cardinals Team Preview 2021
Perhaps the most exciting offensive team in the league, the Cards are +450 to take the NFC West. Arizona made a litany of offseason acquisitions that could become impact players in the desert.
The important new faces on defense are Malcolm Butler, J.J. Watt, and rookie Zaven Collins. The first two have made All-Pro teams in their career, and Collins has the talent to do the same. Arizona’s defense was already solid and could transform into a top-10 unit in the NFL.
The offense was rebuffed by James Conner, A.J. Green, and Rodney Hudson, who have 11 Pro Bowls between them. Third-year QB Kyler Murray has an embarrassment of riches around him and could be a dark horse MVP candidate.
The Cardinals have to compete in the toughest division in football but have the talent to finish on top.
2021 NFC West Predictions
There is no doubt that this will be the hardest division to win in all of professional football.
The Rams should be the favorites after adding Matthew Stafford, who is primed to explode with talent around him. Stafford proved that he could put up monster numbers in Detroit and will finally be able to compete for titles. The odds are not great, but they are the rightful favorites in the division.
Arizona has a high ceiling, albeit a low floor, with a blend of youth and experience that could surprise many. Kyler Murray has all of the talent around him that he needs to succeed and should anticipate lofty expectations.
The Cardinals’ return at +450 is hard to turn down, and they should be the favorite of the underdogs.
The Niners and the Seahawks have their pitfalls, and at their odds, they are not the most attractive bets.
