NFC West Odds: Seahawks the Value to Land the Division
Adam Martin 
It’s funny how the NFL works sometimes.
The LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks both moved up in their division whilst sitting on the couch. Both teams had their bye week and yet despite that saw their position improve.
On Sunday the San Francisco 49ers went to Houston and lost to the Texans 26-15. It felt like a bit of a shock given that the 49ers were 5-2 going into the game. Not only that but the Texans were 2-4 and have struggled on offence all season.
Despite all that the Texans produced a good display on both sides of the ball and took down the 49ers. This has left the team from San Francisco in a perilous position at 5-3 and third in their division.
At the beginning of the year everyone was talking about how the 49ers had the easiest strength of schedule. That although they were not as good as they were in previous years they could still win the division.
It’s hard to see that now given how well the LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks have looked over the first eight weeks of the season. Not only do they look good, but the 49ers are suffering from a common problem for them. Injuries.
At one point or another this seasons the 49ers have had Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner missing. That’s just the starting players.
Mac Jones has missed time, Jacob Cowing, Trent Taylor, Jacob Robinson and Tre Tomlinson are just a few more. This seems to happen every year at the 49ers and questions need to be asked as this doesn’t happen to other teams.
Not only do they have a constant injury crisis but the loss of Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga in the offseason is starting to show. They also couldn’t afford to keep Aaron Banks who was one of their star offensive linemen.
Although they still have the easiest strength of schedule in the division, it’s hard to see them win enough games now. They still must play the Rams, Seahawks and Colts which feels like three losses straight away.
On top of that the “easier” games are against the Bears, Cardinals, Browns, Panthers, Giants and Titans. If they lose one of them, they won’t win the division.
So, who will?
The Rams are currently 21/20 favourites at BetMGM, followed by the Seahawks at 5/2.
Despite the Rams being favs, the Seahawks have the slightly easier schedule for the rest of the season.
They do have to play each other twice which will probably decide the division winner. However, games against the Lions and the Buccaneers could be the undoing of the Rams in this market.
If you were going to back the Seahawks to win the division then now would be the time at 5/2. They have a strong defence that is ranked fourth in the league and have looked good on special teams.
Sam Darnold looks just like the guy who took the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs last year with a 14-3 record. Also, the rest of the offence is looking good, especially Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
The 5/2 is a decent price and one to get on now before it’s too late.
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