The NFC West was once dominated by the San Francisco 49ers, but that dominance has shifted. According to DraftKings Sportsbook odds as of July 30th, the teams favored to win the division this season include the 49ers (+150), Rams (+195), Cardinals (+450), and Seahawks (+500).
Over the past five years, three teams have captured the NFC West title: the Rams took it last year, the 49ers in 2022 and 2023, LA in 2021, and Seattle back in 2020. Notably, NFC West champions have reached the Super Bowl four times in the past seven years, winning once, and have generally succeeded in the playoffs with at least one win in six of seven seasons.
Seattle has made a notable change by bringing in quarterback Sam Darnold, who had his best season with the Minnesota Vikings last year, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 66.2% of his passes. Though the Seahawks missed the playoffs in the last two years, with Darnold at the helm, there’s optimism for a turnaround after a 7-10 finish in 2021.
Fan Take: The NFC West remains one of the most competitive and exciting divisions in the NFL, with multiple teams regularly vying for the title and playoff success. The arrival of Sam Darnold in Seattle adds an intriguing storyline that could shake up the division’s dynamics and keep fans on the edge of their seats all season long.