The NFC West has been in various forms since the AFL and NFL merged in 1970. Previous members included the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, who are now in the NFC South. The two NFL odds constants of the NFC West have been the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Thus, it is no surprise that the 49ers and Rams have the best rivalry in the division. San Francisco had a hot rivalry with the Seattle Seahawks a decade ago. But when Jim Harbaugh left the 49ers, the passion fizzled out.
NFC West Division Championship Odds:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | -200 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +325 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +750 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +1200 |
2024 NFC West Overview
In recent years, the 49ers have been the dominant offshore betting team in the NFC West. San Francisco won the title in the past two seasons. Including three of the most recent five campaigns. San Francisco is the clear future market betting favorite to post a threepeat. In comparison, the Los Angeles Rams are the second and more value-oriented selection.
For the second time in five years, the 49ers are coming off the heartbreak of a comeback loss in the Super Bowl at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers led the Chiefs in overtime. But Patrick Mahomes bested the San Francisco field goal for the NFL betting odds win in OT.
San Francisco continues to be a great story with quarterback Brock Purdy, the last man drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Indeed, Purdy has had a remarkable run from “Mr Irrelevant” to starting quarterback midway through the 2022 season. With the 49ers written off for dead, Purdy rallied them with a run to the NFC championship game. Correlate that Purdy performed so well that the 49ers were comfortable in trading previous first-round draft pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys.
Purdy rewarded the 49ers for their confidence by leading them to the Super Bowl in his first season as the full-time starter. Those who doubted Purdy or considered him a fluke were proven wrong. And for old-school pro football fans alienated by today’s social media conscience players, Purdy is a welcome hero. Naturally, he will continue to have his share of fans who appreciate his hard-fought climb from the bottom of the depth chart to a Super Bowl QB.
The Rams, head coach Sean McVay, and QB Matt Stafford had a nice return to the NFC Playoffs. Following a terrible 2022 season that combined a Super Bowl championship hangover with injuries and poor coaching. Los Angeles lost a close playoff game at Detroit last year. And they believe they have enough to take the NFC title in 2024.
The Seattle Seahawks kicked coach Pete Carroll upstairs in favor of rookie head coach Mike Macdonald. In turn, he is considered one of the bright young leaders and defensive experts in the game.
It’s been tough being an Arizona Cardinals fan. They are the oldest team in the NFL, founded in 1920. But they have won just eight division titles in over a century. Arizona’s most recent division title came in 2015. And it could be a while before the Cardinals top the NFC West again. The San Francisco 49ers are expected to win the NFC West for the third consecutive season in 2024.