A star-studded, talent-loaded, flat-out stacked division, the NFC West is sure to provide fireworks on the gridiron every single week of the 2026 NFL season. With legitimate Super Bowl contenders, All-Pro players, and no shortage of bad blood, this is arguably the best division in all of football.
After a season in which three of these four teams posted double-digit wins, each team has improved in the offseason, setting the stage for yet another intense journey through the NFC West. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are looking to become the first team to capture back-to-back Super Bowls since the Kansas City Chiefs from 2022-23. While the Seahawks will have their hands full as they defend their divisional crown against this year’s Super Bowl favourite, the Los Angeles Rams, a formidable San Francisco 49ers squad, and an Arizona Cardinals team with plenty of moxie.
The only way the action of the NFC West could get any better this season is by getting some skin in the game on the latest NFL divison odds featured below. Score big wins this season using our expert NFC West picks and predictions, and take the intensity of every upcoming clash to the next level this season.
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AFC North – AFC South – AFC East – AFC West – NFC North – NFC South – NFC East – NFC West
Los Angeles Rams to Win the Super Bowl
Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl Odds: +500
To Win Conference Odds: +280
Division Odds: -110
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (-500) No (+350)
Season Win Total: Over 11.5 (-135) Under 11.5 (+105)
2025 Record: 12-5
Key Additions: EDGE Myles Garrett, CB Trent McDuffie, CB Jaylen Watson
Key Subtractions: T Rob Havenstein
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Set for a colossal clash of epic proportions and a potential Super Bowl preview, the Rams will host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football in Week 5. In a matchup between the two teams currently leading the latest Super Bowl odds, the Rams will have a golden opportunity to show there are levels to this game and assert themselves as the de facto best team in the league with a win over the top-ranked squad in the AFC.
Prop to Watch: While it has been a bit of a messy offseason for Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua, look for him to settle back into his norm as the season begins, continuing to put up dominant numbers en route to his first receiving yards title in 2026. Having finished with 1,400+ receiving yards in two of his three seasons, Nacua is truly unguardable in open space. A versatile wideout that can burn DBs with his speed downfield, or use his elite route-running to secure short passing completions, look for him to continue serving as a mainstay in the Rams’ high-powered offence, resulting in him finishing atop the regular season leaderboard in receiving yards.
Potential Breakout Player: Looking to shed the sophomore slump from 2025, look for defensive end Braden Fiske to explode in production, stringing together a career-best season with the Rams. After securing 8.5 sacks in his rookie campaign, Fiske looked to be a future cornerstone for the Rams. Unfortunately, Fiske couldn’t replicate that success last season, but he now finds himself in an opportune situation. With All-Pro talent Myles Garrett now suiting up in the blue and gold, look for him to absorb the bulk of attention from opposing offensive lines, offering up opportunities for Fiske to break through the protection and generate big plays as a result.
Betting Projection: Undeniably a Super Bowl contender, the Rams have gone all-in this season and will have a fantastic shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2026. The scariest part about the Rams is that, as of writing this, the rumours are still swirling around the potential return of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. If Donald does decide to come out of retirement and join an already strong favourite to win the Super Bowl, this Rams squad may become unstoppable.
Puka Nacua to Lead the NFL in Receiving Yards
San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl Odds: +1800
To Win Conference Odds: +1000
Division Odds: +320
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (-140) No (+110)
Season Win Total: Over 9.5 (-145) Under 9.5 (+115)
2025 Record: 12-5
Key Additions: WR Mike Evans, WR Christian Kirk, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Key Subtractions: LB Bryce Huff, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Jauan Jennings
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Set for a massive opportunity to put both the NFC West, and the rest of the NFL on notice, look for the most important game on the schedule for the 49ers to come in Week 5 when they travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Whenever you can get a win over the defending Super Bowl champs, it always provides a major morale boost, but getting it against a division rival who knocked you out of the postseason a year prior is even sweeter. Hungry to prove who the superior team is, look for there to be no love lost between these squads as the Niners look for an early season statement victory in Week 5.
Prop to Watch: It’s always tough to gauge how well a player will perform coming off an injury at an advanced age, but we’ve got plenty of faith in newly acquired 49ers receiver Mike Evans to bounce back in 2026, grabbing 8+ receiving touchdowns during the regular season. An all-time great, Evans has been the picture of consistency throughout his career, tallying 1,000 or more yards in 11 straight seasons, with his streak coming to an end last year after playing only eight games. Back to full strength and ready to make an immediate impact, look for the 49ers to utilize Evans as a red zone threat, using his sure hands and terrific size to body smaller defenders, coming down with jump balls, and securing 8+ touchdowns for the seventh time in the last nine years.
Potential Breakout Player: Hot off the heels of a solid rookie season, look for second-year nose tackle Alfred Collins to make use of his 330-pound frame as he breaks out for the 49ers in 2026. Playing alongside a talent-heavy front seven featuring the likes of Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw, look for Collins to prove he belongs doing the dirty work in the trenches and making big plays as his Pro Bowl teammates take on the bulk of the attention. A threat to make a game-changing play at any time, look for a big year from Collins this season.
Betting Projection: After yet another adversity-filled campaign in 2025, the Niners still managed to tally 12 wins as they propelled themselves to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. Having had their team’s identity shift somewhat from a feared defensive squad to an electric offence, look for Head Coach Kyle Shanahan to get the most out of his limited defence, while his offence continues to steamroll opposing teams on a weekly basis. As always for the 49ers, they’ll only go as far as their overall team health will take them, but if they can remain healthy, the Niners could be a dark horse to watch in the NFC this season.
Mike Evans 8+ Receiving Touchdowns
Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl Odds: +1100
To Win Conference Odds: +600
Division Odds: +215
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (-220) No (+170)
Season Win Total: Over 10.5 (-115) Under 10.5 (-105)
2025 Record: 14-3
Key Additions: CB Trevon Diggs
Key Subtractions: RB Kenneth Walker III, S Coby Bryant, CB Riq Woolen
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Set to kick off the 2026 NFL season with a Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots, look for Week 1 to be a pivotal part of the Seahawks’ quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions. After losing several key members of their lineup from a year ago, the Seahawks will have the chance to prove they still have Lombardi Trophy upside as they look to beat a revamped Patriots squad looking for revenge. We couldn’t ask for a better season opener, and you won’t want to miss a second of the action in the Patriots vs. Seahawks in Week 1.
Prop to Watch: Set for another superb season, bank on reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba to haul in Over 100.5 receptions for the Seahawks in 2026. Coming off a 2025 campaign that saw him tally a staggering 119 catches, JSN put the NFL on notice last year as he emerged as one of the top wideouts in a deep era of receiver talent. Set to continue as a featured player in the Seahawks offence, expect a high volume in targets for Smith-Njigba as he records Over 100.5 receptions in back-to-back years, and secures you a solid -110 payday in the process.
Potential Breakout Player: Coming off his first full season as a starter in the NFL, look for tight end AJ Barner to have a big role in his team’s offence in 2026. One of the heroes of Super Bowl 60, Barner tallied 54 yards to go along with a touchdown grab that helped secure the win for his team. Now, having proven he has the ability to perform at the highest level consistently, look for him to blossom in the Seahawks offence and have a career-best year in 2026.
Betting Projection: It doesn’t happen often, but expect a major down year for the Seahawks as they become the first team since 2022 to miss the postseason after winning the Super Bowl the year prior. After losing several key pieces of their sensational defence from last year, as well as Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, the Seahawks have some big holes to fill in key areas up and down their lineup. With a stark contrast in talent from a season ago, look for them to struggle against the big dogs in the NFC, taking several losses and missing the 2026 NFL Playoffs as a result.
Seahawks to Miss the 2026 NFL Playoffs
Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl Odds: +75000
To Win Conference Odds: +17500
Division Odds: +6600
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (+2000) No (-25000)
Season Win Total: Over 3.5 (-145) Under 3.5 (+115)
2025 Record: 3-14
Key Additions: RB Tyler Allgeier, LG Isaac Seumalo, S Andrew Wingard
Key Subtractions: QB Kyler Murray, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Akheem Davis-Gaither
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Looking to prove that they aren’t the same struggling Cardinals team we’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years, look for Week 1 to play host to an early proving-ground matchup when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Facing stiff competition in an AFC contender like the Chargers to kick off their 2026 campaign, even in a loss, this game could set the tone for the Cardinals if they can keep it close and stay competitive. Entering the season, the Cardinals face the biggest point spread differential in Week 1 as +10.5 dogs. Look for them to show that this season will be different, coming out the gates hot in Week 1.
Prop to Watch: Coming off a career year in 2025, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride will look to further establish himself in the conversation for the best tight end in football as he appears primed for another standout season in 2026. Having hit the mark in back-to-back campaigns, hammer McBride to rack up Over 999.5 receiving yards this season. After crushing this total last season, McBride has shown no signs of slowing down and may be in for an even bigger statistical season this year. At -110, you can’t go wrong backing the Over on his receiving yards total in 2026.
Potential Breakout Player: One of the most talked-about rookie prospects in the NFL this season, there’s no doubt that running back Jeremiyah Love is going to be a name to watch this season. After being selected third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Notre Dame product is looking to bring his electrifying play to the Desert in his first year as a pro. Behind a solid offensive line with a veteran quarterback in Jacoby Brissett to help guide him through the ups and downs of his first NFL season, Love has found himself in an opportune situation and could be in line for a big rookie season in 2026.
Betting Projection: Don’t get me wrong, I think the Cardinals have gotten much better this offseason, but in the end, it’s not going to matter. Even after making much-needed upgrades to their offensive line as well as shoring up their defensive unit, they still stand no chance of getting a win in divisional play, and if you can’t do that, you don’t have any shot at making the postseason. Sporting the third-hardest strength of schedule in the NFL this season, even though their rebuild is moving in the right direction, expect the Cardinals to finish near the bottom of the NFL standings once again, as they simply have the unfortunate distinction of being the worst team in the best division.
