Arizona Cardinals Lead NFC West Division After Remarkable Turnaround

The NFC West is the tightest race in pro football. All four teams have a chance to win the division, but the fierce rivalry could mean only one team would be left standing for the post season.

The Arizona Cardinals (6-4) are currently the betting favorite to win the NFC West at -120 odds according to BetMGM. The Cardinals hold a slim lead over the rest of the division. The San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks have the same record at 5-5. The 49ers are +325 odds to win the NFC West, but the Rams and Seahawks are each +550 odds.

The NFC West winner will lock up a playoff berth, but the other teams might be left out in a top-heavy conference. Whoever comes in second place in the NFC West will most likely miss the playoffs, which makes the division crown even more crucial.

Cardinals: Red Hot at the Right Time

Record: 6-4

NFC West Odds: -120

Super Bowl Odds: +5000

Wild Card Odds: +1100

The Cardinals won four games in a row and they’re one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season. If the playoffs began today, the Cardinals would earn the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs. Their Super Bowl odds are still on the high side at +5000, indicating the market does not have faith in them to make a serious Super Bowl run.

At the start of the season, the Cardinals were ranked as the worst defense in the NFL. Throughout the first six weeks, the Cardinals allowed 27.1 points per game and were 2-4.

Their defense, especially the run defense, has significantly improved throughout the season. They’re now ranked #12 in scoring defense (22.0 ppg) and better than all the teams in the division. During their four-game winning streak, the defense allowed only 14.3 ppg and held opponents to under 80 rushing yards in three out of the last four games.

The Cardinals have the best divisional record at 2-0, but still have four games to play against NFC West foes.

If you have faith that the Cardinals will lock up the NFC West, grab them now at -120 odds before their futures shrink after two upcoming games against the Seahawks in Weeks 12 and 14.

According to look-ahead lines, the Cardinals are a favorite in four out of seven remaining games.

The Cardinals hit the road to play four away games including the Seahawks in Week 12, Minnesota Vikings in Week 13, Carolina Panthers in Week 16, and the Rams in Week 17.

The Cardinals host three home games including the Seahawks in Week 14, New England Patriots in Week 15, and the 49ers in Week 18. The final game of the season could determine the NFC West winner and have additional playoff implications.


Second Chance Bet. Make your first deposit at BetRivers  and place your first sports wager with real money. If your first wager loses, receive a Bonus Bet, equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500. Bonus Bet will be awarded within 24 Hours of your qualifying wager settling as a loss.


 

49ers: Seeking NFC West Three-peat

Record: 5-5

NFC West Odds: +325

Super Bowl Odds: +2000

Wild Card Odds: +500

As last year’s Super Bowl runner-up, the 49ers entered this season with high expectations. They won the NFC West in consecutive seasons and attempting to win three division titles in a row for the first time since the mid-1990s.

The 49ers are not the favorite to win the division, yet they have better Super Bowl odds than the Cardinals at +2000.

The 49ers saw their season go off the rails early when they were decimated by injuries. Christian McCaffrey did not suit up until midway through the season, and they lost Bradon Aiyuk to a season-ending knee injury.

McCaffery is finally back in the lineup just in time to defend their NFC West title, but then their bad luck with injuries continued. Brock Purdy injured his shoulder in a loss to the Seahawks, and he’s listed as day-to-day. Their backup quarterbacks include Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen.

Out of all four NFC West teams, the 49ers have the best odds to secure a Wild Card berth. Those numbers suggest a scenario in which the Cardinals secure a division title, but the 49ers snag a Wild Card berth as a #6 or #7 seed.

The 49ers have the worst divisional record at 1-3, which is why they’re in last place in the NFC West. All three losses were decided by a total of seven points.

According to the look-ahead lines, the 49ers are a favorite in four of their seven remaining games including both divisional games.

The 49ers host three home games against the Chicago Bears in Week 14, the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 15, and the Lions in Week 17.

The 49ers play four more road games including the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, Buffalo Bills in Week 13, Miami Dolphins in Week 16, and the Cardinals in Week 18.

 


Caesars Sportsbook Review – Forbes Betting

 

New users can Get Your First Bet Back at Caesars Sportsbook. If your first cash bet loses, you’ll get it back as a Bonus Bet – up to $1,000.


 

Rams: Best Value on the Futures Board

Record: 5-5

NFC West Odds: +550

Super Bowl Odds: +8000

Wild Card Odds: +1000

Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are both finally healthy and the Rams offer the best value on the board at +550 odds to win the NFC West. The Rams qualified for the playoffs last season as a Wild Card team but were knocked out in the first round by the Detroit Lions.

After a dismal 1-4 start, the Rams reversed their fortunes to win four out of the last five and improved to 5-5. Four out of five losses were decided by eight points or less.

The Rams are 2-1 in the division and currently hold a tiebreaker over the 49ers and Seahawks based on a better head-to-head record.

According to the look-ahead lines, the Rams are a favorite in only three out of seven games.

The Rams hit the road to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, the 49ers in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football, and the New York Jets in Week 16.

The Rams play four more home games but host a couple of tough opponents including the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 and the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. They end the season with divisional tilts against the Cardinals in Week 16 and the Seahawks in Week 18.


BetMGM | LinkedIn

Sign up at BetMGM and receive the Best Sportsbook offers Today!


 

Seahawks: Inconsistent and Unpredictable

Record: 5-5

NFC West Odds: +550

Super Bowl Odds: +8000

Wild Card Odds: +1000

The Seahawks are not easy to predict this season because you never know which team will show up. The bad Seahawks lost a mind-numbing home game to the New York Giants. The good Seahawks went on the road to beat the Atlanta Falcons by 20 points.

The Seahawks began the season with a 3-0 record before they dropped five out of their next six games. They bounced back last week with a road victory against the 49ers to pull even at 5-5.

The Seahawks are 1-2 in the NFC West with three more division games on the docket. They square off against the Cardinals in two out of their next three games. Fans will find out shortly if the Seahawks have any shot at a playoff berth or winning the division.

The Seahawks have the toughest remaining schedule compared to the rest of the division. Based on the look-ahead lines, they’re only a favorite in two out of seven games, and they’re an underdog in all three NFC West games.

The Seahawks play four more road games including the New York Jets in Week 13, the Cardinals in Week 14, the Chicago Bears in Week 17, and the Rams in Week 18.

The Seahawks have only three more home games, but all three are tough opponents including the Cardinals in Week 12, the Green Bay Packers in Week 15, and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.

21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER


Related Articles

Subscribe to Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest online gaming and sports betting promotions, news, and information.

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

August 7, 1992 — A group of investors from the Tampa Bay area announces they have signed a memorandum to purchase the San Francisco Giants and plan to move the franchise to St. Petersburg. The National League rejected the transfer in Nov. 1992.

On This Day In Sports History

August 9, 1936 — Korean native Sohn Kee-chung wins the Olympic marathon in Berlin. At the time, Korea is part of the Japanese colonial empire and Sohn must compete for Japan, under the transliterated Japanese colonial name Kitei Son.