Posted on
8/28/2007 3:45:02 PM
NFL Betting - NFL Regular Season Wins - NFC
By Dave Golokhov
When it comes to NFL betting and regular season win totals, like The Boondock Saints’ song Over or Carla Werner’s Under, there's only two ways to go. In the final of our eight division previews, we examine the NFL odds for regular season wins in the NFC West:
Arizona Cardinals
A new coaching staff means new schemes, new personnel and a new learning curve.
The Cards have hired coaches that will undoubtedly improve their offensive line, a visible weakness in the past five seasons.
They have many weapons on offense and will finally start putting them together but they don’t have a lot of experience winning.
On defense, the switch to the 3-4 scheme means that the Cardinals will have another long year trying to stop opponents. They appear to be headed in the right direction but 2008 will be the year that they have a better shot at a winning record.
NFL Odds For Regular Season Wins: 7
NFL Free Pick: Under
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are supposed to be the surprise in the West but there are a couple of yellow flags that indicate that they may not be much better than last season.
After quarterback Alex Smith’s one touchdown, 11 interception rookie season, many questioned how good he could be. Last season, offensive coordinator Norv Turner helped get Smith back on the franchise track. Unfortunately, Turner left to coach the San Diego Chargers, which might stunt Smith’s growth.
They added Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie as weapons for Smith, but Jackson drops a lot of passes and Lelie is a one-trick pony, only useful on deep routes.
There is a noticeable amount change on this roster, which means chemistry might be an issue. On paper, they should be better but there are no guarantees that will translate on the field.
NFL Odds For Regular Season Wins: 8
NFL Free Pick: Under
Seattle Seahawks
Battered and bruised by injury, the Seahawks still finished atop the NFC West last year and took the Chicago Bears to overtime.
They have made significant upgrades on defense at safety and along the defensive line and return a veteran team that knows how to win better than anyone else in their division.
As long as Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are healthy, expect the offense to flow. Gone are inconsistent parts Darrell Jackson and Jerramy Stevens, who frequently frustrated the coaching staff by dropping passes. Deion Branch, acquired last season from New England, looks great now that he’s had a full offseason to work on timing and chemistry.
They are still the class of this division.
NFL Odds For Regular Season Wins: 9
NFL Free Pick: Over
St. Louis Rams
Not many people are talking about the St. Louis Rams as being a real hazard in the NFC, but they just might be.
With the addition of wideout Drew Bennett and tight end Randy McMichael, the Rams offense is as dangerous as it has been since the Dick Vermeil days.
All of the concerns with team lie with the defense, particularly the run defense. Their secondary is adequate but their run defense only ranked better than Indianapolis’ maligned defense.
If the Rams get better production from their defensive line (and tackles), this will be a dangerous opponent once the playoffs start.
NFL Odds For Regular Season Wins: 7.5
NFL Free Pick: Over
Want more previews? Here are the rest of the Regular Season Wins pieces in this Series:
Regular Season Wins - NFC South
Regular Season Wins - AFC North
Regular Season Wins - NFC North
Regular Season Wins - NFC East
Regular Season Wins - AFC East
Regular Season Wins - NFC West
Regular Season Wins - AFC West
Regular Season Wins - AFC South
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