The NFC West has a clear top half and bottom half this year, but when you're betting totals the only thing that matters is the total wins. Where will these four teams fall in 2023?
ARIZONA CARDINALS
o/u 4.5 (+100/-120)
Woof! The Cardinals are favored to finish with the league's worst record for good reason. It's likely they'll start the year with Colt McCoy at the helm, James Connor toting the rock out the backfield, and Hollywood Brown trotting out as their top receiver. This is a team with a bad offensive line, below-average skill position players, and plenty of incentive to go out and get the #1 pick in next year's draft.
Even if Kyler Murray plays, there's just not enough surrounding him for it to matter. This team may sell off the pieces they have to build more draft capital and give some young guys more playing time.
IF I HAD TO BET IT
Under
AM I BETTING IT
Yep! I bet the under at +120 and added more at +101. If I hadn't bet anything on it to this point I'd still bet enough to win one unit at -120.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
o/u 6.5 (+110/-115)
Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and maybe Cam Akers. That's about all the upside for the Rams this year. This team mortgaged its future for a Super Bowl title and the bill is coming due. (As a Vikings fan, I'm very jealous that they were able to do that!) This team does have more upside to win some games than the Cardinals because of those pieces and Sean McVay still walking the sidelines, but not much.
The chances of Stafford making through an entire season seem low to me. Kupp is coming back off of major injuries and Aaron Donald has been restless in LA. This is another team that may be selling pieces for a full rebuild by the midway point of the season.
IF I HAD TO BET IT
Under
AM I BETTING IT
Yep! I got this at u7.5, so I'm not rushing to add more, but I have them projected for four wins, so if I had nothing I'd bet enough to win a unit under 6.5.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
o/u 10.5 (-140/+125)
The 49ers return as one of the favorites to come out of the NFC. The question is if they deserve the designation. The defense lost a lot to free agency including Omenihu, Ebukam, Moseley, Al-Shaair, and Ward. They do bring Javon Hargrave in from the Eagles, which is a phenomenal signing. The defense should end up being near the top of the league again, but you'd be hard-pressed to say they improved.
The offense has an array of weapons with McCaffrey, Samuel, Aiyuk, Kittle, and Mitchell. Brock Purdy's injury against the Eagles in the playoffs was severe, but not quite as bad as it looked, and he's expected to start the season behind center. The question is whether he can produce like he did last year now that the league can adjust to him.
It doesn't hurt that the 49ers will play the Cards and Rams twice each, but you're paying juice to go over the win total here.
IF I HAD TO BET IT
Under
AM I BETTING IT
Nope. I have the 49ers projected for 11 wins. (Yes, I know that's over 10.5!) It's the price that gets me. I'd rather bet on this being a more unsettled year for the Niners and get the plus money. But I'll just full pass on this one.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
o/u 8.5 (-142/+140)
This line will be solidly set at 9.5 soon, but we'll stick with the 8.5 at these prices for now. The Seahawks come off of a surprise season that saw Geno Smith outplay Russell Wilson. This is a strong offense with a trio of very good receivers in Metcalf, Lockett, and rookie JSN. They bring back breakout RB Kenneth Walker III and added Zach Charbonnet in the draft. The line should be good enough to let the skill position players do their thing.
Defense was a problem for the Seahawks last year, but this year should be at least somewhat improved. They bring back Bobby Wagner to direct the defense on the field. He is getting older, but he played well for the Rams last year. They also drafted Devon Witherspoon who should be able to come in and play solid from the jump. Their weakness is likely to be the rush, but this defense should be good enough to give them a chance.
IF I HAD TO BET IT
Over
AM I BETTING IT
Yep! I got this at -125, but I have the Seahawks projected for 10 wins with 11 win upside, so -142 still seems okay to me. If you want to fade the Niners and bet on the Hawks in one bet you could throw a little on the Seahawks to win the division at +240 as well.
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