Favorite NFL Futures Bets: NFC West

I will be doing a series on all 8 NFL divisions and targeting the NFL Futures Bets that I like. I’m not going to bet on every team. I am looking for value in the bet and picking my spots for bets I like. After reviewing offseason moves, NFL Draft picks, Strength of Schedule, and more, these are the bets I like for the NFC West.

NOTES:

-Current Win Totals are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Obviously, shop around for the best lines. I used the same Sportsbook for consistency.

-The NFL Strength of Schedule – see the full list and all the details here.

Arizona Cardinals

Current Win Total:  8.5 wins (OVER -110 / UNDER -110)

Strength of Schedule:  2nd

Additions: LB Nick Vigil, WR Marquise Brown, G Cody Ford, CB Trayvon Mullen

Departures: RB Chase Edmonds, WR Christian Kirk, Edge Chandler Jones, DT Jordan Phillips, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Malcolm Butler, CB Robert Alford

Draft:  TE Trey McBride, DL Cameron Thomas, Edge Myjai Sanders, RB Keontay Ingram, G Lecitus Smith, CB Christian Matthew, LB Jesse Luketa, G Marquis Hayes

My Favorite Bets:

-NONE

Reasons Why?

QB Kyler Murray got his big deal done, so we can put that behind us. I love the offensive power of Murray, RB James Conner, WR Marquise Brown, WR DeAndre Hopkins (after suspension), WR Rondale Moore, and TE Zach Ertz. Problem is, that the Cardinals have a weak defense, ranking in the bottom quarter for both front 7 and secondary per Sharp Football Analysis. They have the 2nd most difficult schedule and they open the season with a gauntlet against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Rams. I can get them right around 8 or 9 wins. But this is not worth making a bet on for me.

LA Rams

Current Win Total:  10.5 wins (OVER -110 / UNDER -110)

Strength of Schedule:  1st

Additions: WR Allen Robinson, CB Troy Hill, LB Bobby Wagner

Departures: RB Sony Michel, WR Robert Woods, WR Odell Beckham, OT Andrew Whitworth, G Austin Corbett, Edge Von Miller, DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, CB Darious Williams, P Johnny Hekker

Draft:  G Logan Bruss, CB Decobie Durant, RB Kyren Williams, S Quentin Lake, CB Derion Kendrick, Edge Daniel Hardy, S Russ Yeast, OT AJ Arcuri

My Favorite Bets:

-OVER 10.5 wins (-110)

-To win NFC West (+125)

Reasons Why?

The Super Bowl Champions are running it back with most of their championship team intact, while adding WR Allen Robinson and LB Bobby Wagner. While they have the most difficult schedule, I think they will beat up on their division mates. They are well coached, with good leadership, and strong on both sides of the ball. There’s not a lot to doubt about this team other than the difficulty of their schedule. Which as you notice, the NFC West all has difficult schedules as a product of facing the AFC West this season.

I’ll take the Over 10.5 wins but I also feel confident that the Rams will win the NFC West again so I like the +125 for that bet as well.

San Francisco 49ers

Current Win Total:  9.5 wins (OVER -160 / UNDER +135)

Strength of Schedule:  T-5th

Additions: WR Ray-Ray McCloud, CB Charvarius Ward, S George Odum

Departures: RB Raheem Mostert, G Laken Tomlinson, Edge Arden Key, DT D.J. Jones, S Jaquiski Tartt

Draft:  Edge Drake Jackson, RB Tyrion Davis-Price, WR Danny Gray, OT Spencer Burford, CB Samuel Womack, OT Nick Zakelj, DL Kalia Davis, CB Tariq Castro-Fields, QB Brock Purdy

My Favorite Bets:

-UNDER 9.5 wins (+135)

Reasons Why?

It is extremely difficult to bet against HC Kyle Shanahan. And I don’t doubt the talent of QB Trey Lance and I don’t doubt his weapons either. But in Lance’s first starting season, I would expect some growing pains and lessons to be learned. They should be easily 2-0 to start the season after opening against the Bears and Seahawks. However, they have the 5th most difficult schedule. It is hard for me to get to 9 wins, let alone 10. So I’m taking the Under at plus odds.

Seattle Seahawks

Current Win Total:  5.5 wins (OVER -135 / UNDER +115)

Strength of Schedule:  11th

Additions: QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, Edge Uchenna Nwosu, Edge Shelby Harris, DT Quinton Jefferson

Departures: QB Russell Wilson, TE Gerald Everett, OT Duane Brown, OT Brandon Shell, OT Jamarco Jones, Edge Carlos Dunlap, LB Bobby Wagner, CB D.J. Reed

Draft:  OT Charles Cross, Edge Boye Mafe, RB Ken Walker, OT Abraham Lucas, CB Coby Bryant, CB Tariq Woolen, Edge Tyreke Smith, WR Bo Melton, WR Dareke Young

My Favorite Bets:

-UNDER 5.5 wins (+115)

Reasons Why?

Hammer the under here and walk away happy with plus odds. This is yet another NFC team that is rebuilding after losing QB Russell Wilson in the trade to the Broncos. HC Pete Carroll seems a bit past his prime, as he couldn’t get this offense cooking with Wilson. Now the starting QB in Seattle is Geno Smith with Drew Lock as the new best option. Yikes!

The defense is ranked in the bottom quarter for both front 7 and secondary per Sharp Football Analysis. And they have the 11th most difficult schedule and play in the most difficult division in the NFC. I’d be shocked if they weren’t 0-6 in the division. And I’d also be shocked if they could string together 6 wins. I’m taking the Under confidently.

What do you think of my NFC West bets? Will you be tailing any of these bets with me?

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