Football season is upon us, and that means it’s time to start previewing some NFL divisions from a DraftKings Sportsbook perspective. Below, I’ll break down all the odds in the futures market for the four teams in the AFC West.
See all NFL betting odds at the DraftKings Sportsbook NFL page or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl Odds: +1400
NFC Conference Odds: +650
NFC West Division Odds: +180
Regular Season Wins: 10.5
To Make the Playoffs: -200
Week 1 Spread: -7.5 (at DET)
Award Contenders
MVP: Jimmy Garoppolo (+5000)
OPOY: George Kittle (+1600), Raheem Mostert (+3500)
DPOY: Nick Bosa (+1600)
OROY: Trey Lance (+800), Trey Sermon (+3500)
Plagued by injuries last season, the 49ers are ready to put last year behind them and look forward; the only thing now is to figure out who’s going to play quarterback. In this year’s draft, the 49ers gave up a bounty moving up to the third overall pick to acquire the QB from North Dakota State, Trey Lance. With arguably the highest upside in this year’s quarterback class, Lance could be spending his early career backing up Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s coming off a high-ankle sprain from last season. The offense is talented and young, led by tight end George Kittle and an improved offensive line. Former defensive coordinator Robert Salah is now the head coach for the New York Jets. Nick Bosa is coming off a season-ending knee injury from last season, and there’s a ton of question marks on how this former top-10 defense in 2019 will adapt to the new scheme. The NFC currently runs through Tampa Bay, but let’s not forget it ran through the Bay Area not too long ago — we shouldn’t be surprised if it does again ... if they can stay healthy.
Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl Odds: +4500
NFC Conference Odds: +2500
NFC West Division Odds: +650
Regular Season Wins: 8.5
To Make the Playoffs: +150
Week 1 Spread: +2.5 (at TEN)
Award Contenders
MVP: Kyler Murray (+1600)
OPOY: Kyler Murray (+2000), DeAndre Hopkins (+2500)
DPOY: J.J. Watt (+2000), Chandler Jones (+2800), Budda Baker (+3000)
OROY: Rondale Moore (+5000)
DROY: Zaven Collins (+1400)
Few teams made as many offseason moves as Steve Keim and the Cardinals’ front office. AJ Green, Rodney Hudson and James Conner, to go along with rookie, Rondale Moore, are more pieces for the third-year quarterback, Kyler Murray. Murray was on track for a fantastic season last year before he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 11. In Murray’s first 10 games, he averaged 9.2 rushing attempts and just under 62 rushing yards per game. From week 11 on, his production slipped, and he couldn’t fully recover. Even if Murray’s numbers decrease next season, it won’t be by much; his rushing upside provides too much of an advantage every week against any defense. J.J. Watt also joins the lengthy list of pieces Kliff Kingsbury and staff will need to put in the correct positions to win, or they might be out of a job come this time next season. Chandler Jones is reportedly on the trading block, but they’ll still have a healthy mix of young talent and veterans to be competitive in this challenging division. Green and DeAndre Hopkins are a lethal duo at wide receiver, especially with a mobile and athletic quarterback who should read defenses better in year three.
Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl Odds: +1400
NFC Conference Odds: +650
NFC West Division Odds: +190
Regular Season Wins: 10.5
To Make the Playoffs: -200
Week 1 Spread: -7 (vs. CHI)
Award Contenders
MVP: Matthew Stafford (+1600)
OPOY: Matthew Stafford (+2200)
DPOY: Aaron Donald (+500)
Most teams are in “win now” mode, but the Rams are pushing all the proverbial chips to the middle this year — it’s Super Bowl or bust. The most significant offseason move was trading for Matthew Stafford and sending Jared Goff with a bevy of draft picks to Detroit. Stafford inherits most of Sean McVay’s offense, which ranked 13th in pass offense and 10th in run offense, but 22nd in points per game. Even though Cam Akers is out this season with an Achilles injury, the Rams still project to be a top-five offense with Stafford at the helm. The Rams are favorites in 11 games and are just outside the top five in defense this season. The win-now mentality may be more than a moniker for this team — it’s a reality. If Stafford can stay healthy, +1400 for the Rams to win it all ain’t a bad play.
Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
NFC Conference Odds: +1000
NFC West Division Odds: +275
To Make the Playoffs: -130
Week 1 Spread: -3.5 (at IND)
Award Contenders
MVP: Russell Wilson (+1400)
OPOY: Russell Wilson (+2000), Chris Carson (+3500), DK Metcalf (+5000)
DPOY: Jamal Adams (+2000), Bobby Wagner (+2500)
Boy, it feels like every team in the NFC West has a shot at winning the division if they can stay healthy. The Seahawks finished with a 12-4 record last season and will have their hands full if they want to repeat 2020’s success. The combination of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, under the new Offensive Coordinator, Shane Waldron, could look different than what the 12th man is used to seeing. Waldron should bring more tempo to one of the slowest teams last season, and it’s a breath of fresh air if you plan to or are currently invested in the Seahawks. Their regular season win total sits at 10 as of press time, behind both the Rams (10.5) and 49ers (10.5). Their offense last season ranked 12th in rushing but second in touchdown percentage (7.1%). Some may say the TDs should regress, but Seattle will need a ton to keep up in this division and make the playoffs.
Place your NFL bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.