NFC West Division Title Odds, Picks, and 2022 Preview: Can Rams Avoid Super Bowl Hangover?

Mike Spector

Last Updated: July 5, 2022 12:44 PM EDT • 2 min 45 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp (L) and Los Angeles Rams' quarterback Matthew Stafford (R) walk on the field after winning Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 13, 2022. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP)

The NFC West ended a seven-year drought without a Super Bowl champion as the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. It was the only division last year with three ten-win teams and was the only division with three playoff teams. No other division in the conference had more than two teams finish over .500.

Oddsmakers believe it will be a competitive race again, as it is the only division in the NFC with its top three teams having odds of +400 or shorter.

Here are our picks and predictions to win the NFC West title in 2022 based on the odds from our top-rated sportsbooks.

NFC West Title Odds

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0MJfb/1/

NFC West Title Picks

Rams to win the division (+130 viaBetMGM)Seahawks win total Under 5.5 (+120 via DraftKings Sportsbook)Cardinals to miss the playoffs (-115 via BetMGM)NFC West team to win the conference (+180 via DraftKings)

Check out our top-rated sportsbooks here

NFC West Division Preview

Rams to win division (+130)

While Los Angeles seemingly has competition from San Francisco and Arizona once again, the only way they do not at least win the NFC West is by succumbing to a Super Bowl hangover. The Rams’ “all-in” approach to the 2021 season when they dealt for Matthew Stafford and Von Miller paid immediate dividends. And while Miller left for Buffalo this offseason, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are the two best individual defenders at their positions, while Cooper Kupp is arguably the best wide receiver in football.

This year, Los Angeles is without WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Robert Woods. Still, former Bears wideout Allen Robinson II was a huge pickup, and he is in line for the most productive season of his career now that he is paired with easily the best quarterback he has ever played with.

https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1544431675509067776

Seahawks win total Under 5.5 (+120)

For the first time since 2012, the Seahawks will be without nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson under center. Wilson was under .500 (6-8) for the first time in a season last year, which is a testament to the rapid decline of the Seahawks organization. Seattle’s top two WRs — DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett — will be in for long seasons with either Drew Lock or Geno Smith throwing them the ball, as Wilson has been the highest-graded QB on throws of 20-yards or more over the last five seasons, per PFF.

Seattle could suffer most on defense, however, as the team did not adequately replace the losses of linebacker Bobby Wagner or cornerback D.J. Reed. As a result, the Seahawks could easily lose all six divisional games, putting them behind the eight ball for going 6-11 or better. DraftKings’ odds for this wager are slightly better than the +115 that both FanDuel and BetMGM are offering.

Cardinals to miss the playoffs (-115)

The good news for Arizona last season was that an 11-6 campaign helped end a six-year postseason drought. The bad news was that the Cardinals likely have a bad taste in their mouths after going undefeated through Week 7 but losing four of seven games to end the regular season and limping into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, things do not get easier for Arizona this season, as it has the second-toughest strength of schedule in 2022, based on the final 2021 regular-season records for each opponent (157-132, 0.543 combined win %.). Making this wager at BetMGM is a no-brainer, as DraftKings offers much steeper -150 odds.

NFC West team to win the conference (+180)

Based on the odds at DraftKings, the NFC West has three of the top eight favorites to win the NFC in the Rams, 49ers, and Cardinals. The top NFC West teams may beat each other up in the regular season, but the division also has the most Super-Bowl caliber teams. The NFC West has had a team in the Super Bowl in three of the last four years, and all four teams have made at least one Super Bowl appearance since 2008. That makes +180 odds for this wager seem like a steal.

2021 Division Standings

Rams 12-5 (+190 on Sept. 9)Cardinals 11-6 (+600)49ers 10-7 (+190)Seahawks 7-10 (+275)

Where to Bet on NFL Division Odds

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook Caesars Sportsbook DraftKings Sportsbook PointsBet BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

NFC West Division picks made 7/5/2022 at 3:23 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Mike Spector

I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.