Last season, the Arizona Cardinals emerged as the top team in the competitive NFC West thanks to an impressive 13-3 record and a well-rounded roster. However, despite splashy offseason acquisitions such as pass-rusher Chandler Jones, the Cardinals are not the favorites to claim the division crown once again in 2016.
That distinction goes to the Seattle Seahawks, who clawed their way back from 2-4 start to finish 10-6 last year. Surprising? A bit. But here's how betting experts break it down.
The Seattle Seahawks are 8-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl next season, a close second behind the New England Patriots. As a result, Seattle is the favorite to win the NFC West with 5-7 odds, better than Arizona's 7-5 chances, according to the powers that be. The Los Angeles Rams are 10-1, and the San Francisco 49ers are 30-1. Anyone got a spare $20 to put down right now?
Last year, the Cardinals advanced to the NFC Championship game while the Seahawks were defeated in the divisional round. With Jones and first-rounder Robert Nkemdiche, many are expecting this defensive unit to be even better than last year's fifth-ranked group (321.7 yards allowed per game). Yet, Vegas still expects the Seahawks to come out on top in the division next year.
The oddsmakers at Westgate Las Vegas Super Book peg Seattle's win total at an expected 10.5. That's tied with the patriots, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers for the highest mark in the league. Arizona's over/under win total, meanwhile, sits at 10.
Elsewhere in the NFC West, San Fran's win total is expected to come in at six, ahead of only the Cleveland Browns (4.5) and Tennessee Titans (5.5). The Rams over/under sits at 7.5, as the team has not enjoyed a winning season in more than a decade.
Let's check back next year and see how accurate Vegas' predictions were.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
