What a difference an actual good head coach makes. The Los Angeles Rams shook off years of Jeff Fisher ineptitude and in a single offseason last year put a group on the field that would win the NFC West.
Over the last two seasons, three teams in the NFC West have changed coaching regimes, with the Arizona Cardinals the latest to do so after Bruce Arians retired. Pete Carroll is still with the Seattle Seahawks and that will keep them dangerous even during what looks like a soft rebuild.
Here are the odds BetDSI Sportsbook is offering.
NFC West 2018 Odds
Los Angeles Rams -125
San Francisco 49ers +200
Seattle Seahawks +380
Arizona Cardinals +1500
The Rams open as solid favorites for good reason. The reigning champs have only improved personnel this offseason. Before they’ve even played a down of regular season football, they can boast the best secondary in the league with the additions of Marcus Peters (coming over from a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs) and Aqib Talib (a trade with the Denver Broncos).
Safety Lamarcus Joyner was the No. 3 overall safety according to Pro Football Focus last season and rookie John Johnson was No. 15.
Oh, and then there’s the matter of adding Ndamukong Suh to a defensive line with Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.
To say Sean McVay fixed the Rams offense is an understatement. They went from the worst offense in the league under Fisher and offensive coordinator Rob Boras to one of the best. Quarterback Jared Goff was already being talked about as a bust last spring. He ended up ranked No. 38 in the NFL’s Top 100 Players show this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcRfz0NmLnE
That offense brings back Todd Gurley, one of the three most dangerous running backs in the league, along with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. Los Angeles added Brandin Cooks in a trade with the New England Patriots before April’s draft and he’ll be an upgrade over Sammy Watkins as a deep threat.
Do the 49ers have a shot?
Listen, we’re all excited about Jimmy Garoppolo and what he showed in the final five games of the season in San Francisco. I’m with you. My Kool-Aid stache is as bright as yours. But this 49ers team didn’t do nearly enough to catch the Rams. That doesn’t mean they won’t compete for a playoff spot, but I think the NFC West title is just out of reach.
Honestly, this could be a nine or 10-win San Fran team and still get swept by the Rams.
What about the Seahawks?
As long as Russell Wilson is on the field, the Seahawks are going to be competitive. I just think the rest of the West is too good. This looks like a .500 team to me and maybe one that ends up on the bottom of the division.
Let’s talk Cardinals
I really think the Cardinals can be sneaky good and will be right with the 49ers at the end of the season working for a Wild Card. They have plenty of offensive tools. It seems that all it took for people to forget about David Johnson is one season lost to injury. If he’s healthy, he’s right there with Gurley and Le’Veon Bell.
The key to a real run for the Cardinals is a healthy Sam Bradford which, let’s be honest, hasn’t happened often. If you want your safest bet, you go Rams and feel good about it. If you wan to really roll the dice, give the Cards a hard look. At +1500, it has to be tempting.
