The San Francisco 49ers ran away with the NFC West last season as the only team in the division to finish the year over .500.
Judging by the latest NFC West future odds it could be another cakewalk to the division title again.
On defense the 49ers were the best in the NFC last season and that should continue in 2012. Loaded with defensive talent, including Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Navorro Brown and of course Patrick Willis they were No. 1 against the run last season and pretty good against the pass as well.
If the defense is as good again it should take some pressure off QB Alex Smith. He's the wild card for a 49ers offense that added Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs in the offseason to fit in along side Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore.
Smith has the weapons, now he just has to keep it all together for the 49ers to roll to another division title and possibly a Super Bowl.
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The Seattle Seahawks may be a team on the rise in the NFC West, but they're not quite there yet which is why they're a 4/1 underdog on the futures at . The first thing the Seahawks need to decide on is who's going to be QB? Matt Flynn was signed in the offseason and appears to have the inside track ahead of Tarvaris Jackson and Russell Wilson. Seattle also needs a No. 2 receiver to step up behind Sidney Rice, which is why they're taking a look at vets Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens in camp.
The Arizona Cardinals also have quarterback questions with Kevin Kolb starting to look like a bust. The often injured Kolb may end up losing the starting job to John Skelton. Whoever does start behind center will have one of the best receivers in football to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald, but the rest of the offense is still a work in progress.
The running game relies heavily on the health of Beanie Wells and possibly on how well rookie Ryan Williams adjusts if he's thrown to the fire.
The St. Louis Rams were the rest of the division's whipping boy last season going 0-6 against within the division and a lame 2-14 overall. Sam Bradford took a pounding when he was able to play and the Rams need Brian Quick to develop into the No. 1 wide receiver the Rams have been missing lately.
The safest bet is likely the Rams NOT winning the division this season as an 8/1 underdog.
Odds to win NFC West - lines at
San Francisco ½
Seattle 4/1
Arizona 5/1
St. Louis 8/1
NFC West teams futures odds:
Odds to win NFC title
San Francisco 11/2
Seattle 28/1
Arizona 28/1
St. Louis 40/1
Odds to win Super Bowl
San Francisco 10/1
Seattle 50/1
Arizona 60/1
St. Louis 75/1
2012-13 win totals
San Francisco 10 (Over +110/Under -140)
Seattle 7 (Over -170/Under +140)
Arizona 7 (Over +120/Under -150)
St. Louis 6 (Over -140/Under +110)
