Just a short season ago, PointsBet Sportsbook had the then defending champion Los Angeles Rams installed favorites to take home bragging rights in back-to-back years. But after managing just five games to finish third in the standings, Sean McVay’s squad is no longer considered a contender for either the conference or divisional crowns. The NFC West title race figures to be a two-horse race between the reigning champion San Francisco 49ers (-160) and Seattle Seahawks (+225) with the Rams (+550) and Arizona Cardinals (+2000) rounding out the quadrant. I confidently rode the Niners to a ticket cash on the divisional futures odds as +160 dogs last season. While San Fran no doubt possesses one of the most talented rosters heading into the 2023-24 NFL betting season, numerous questions have me hesitant about going all in on a repeat. As it stands right now, the betting value resides with Pete Carroll’s squad as we countdown to the start of the regular season.

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San Francisco 49ers -160

The first month of the 2022-23 season ultimately cost the 49ers a shot at securing home field advantage in the playoffs after dropping a shocking 19-10 decision as near touchdown road chalk in Chicago then following it up with an 11-10 loss in Denver affording the Broncos one of their five overall wins. While it wouldn’t have mattered in the grand scheme of things with the offense emasculated due to Brock Purdy’s injury against the Eagles, it’s something Kyle Shanahan’s squad will most definitely harp on entering the new campaign. Though the schedule ranks out as one of the leagues easiest per Sharp Football Analysis, it remains to be seen if San Fran will have the healthy bodies needed to take advantage of it. Trey Lance is recovering from his brutal injury and it’s believed Purdy won’t be ready for the start of the regular season. Could it be Sam Darnold Season? Regardless, defections in the secondary paired with losses along both trench lines have me bearish on the Niners repeating. No way am I laying -160 going in! I recommend sitting back and observing early and then hope to catch a plus-money rate of return deeper in the season.

Seattle Seahawks +225

A year removed from going 7-10 SU to bring up the rear of the division standings, the Seahawks shocked many an NFL bettor – including me – by logging nine wins to punch a ticket to the second season. Though they went on to get their clocks cleaned by the rival 49ers in the wild-card round, the groundwork was laid for success moving forward. The game plan is set heading into 2023-24. Remember, it was expected Drew Lock would be the offense’s QB1 with Geno Smith nothing more than an afterthought. After inking a three-year deal in the offseason, Smith is set up for success with his offensive line solidified and stud Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba added to a wide receiver corps still armed with the 1-2 punch of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. With Zach Charbonnet also added in the draft to provide depth for Kenneth Walker III who finished second in OROY voting, Seattle’s offense is going to be a beast! And let’s not forget about the insertion of Devon Witherspoon to play alongside Tariq Woolen at the other cornerback position making Seattle’s secondary arguably one of the best in the league. The Seahawks are on my list of ride-or-dies regardless of costing me a pretty penny last season. I learned my lesson and plan on getting my money back!

Los Angeles Rams +550

We added to the bankroll fading the Rams win total heading into the regular season, and did so once again in-season by betting against them qualifying for the playoffs after splitting their first six games on the docket. Handcuffed by absorbent deals upper management inked in order to win Super Bowl LVI, Los Angeles did absolutely nothing to improve the roster in free agency simply because they couldn’t afford it. Then it was forced to sit out the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft due to unloading its No. 1 picks to land the veterans needed to help hoist the Lombardi. While 14 picks were made the remainder of the draft, it’s tough envisioning a majority of the players drafted lending immediate hands to allow for the Rams to compete with the 49ers and Seahawks this season. It’ll be all about getting the young guys experience in 2023-24 so the team can rectify its problem areas moving forward. Provided Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford can stay healthy and play in a majority of the games, the Rams will flirt with exceeding their 6.5-game win total odds. That however won’t find the team in the running for bragging rights as top-heavy the division looks to be on paper heading into the regular season.

Arizona Cardinals +2000

If nothing else, the Cardinals enter 2023-24 with a new head coach calling the shots after Kliff Kingsbury and his wretched in-game antics were shown the door following a horrendous showing that saw Zona bring up the rear of the NFC West with a 4-13 SU record. Arizona’s win totals clocked in at 5 (P), 7.5 (O), 8.5 (O), and 8.5 (U) through Kyler Murray’s first four seasons calling the shots in the desert. The number to beat currently chimes in at 4.5 which represents the lowest O/U since 1992. In making the decision to blow it all up and start from scratch with a new front office and coaching staff in place, the Cardinals have set themselves up for success down the road armed with robust cap space and likely two first round draft picks next season. Though they greatly improved the roster with the drafting of OT Paris Johnson Jr. and EDGE BJ Ojulari, Arizona is likely to be a consistent need of PointsBet with it catching inflated spreads on a weekly basis.

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