The 2026 NFL season is just around the corner and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFC West will be the team to beat as they defend the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Mike Macdonald's team finished the regular season with a 14-3 record, before beating divisional rivals, the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, in the playoffs.
They then proved too much for the New England Patriots and recorded a 29-13 victory in the NFL Championship.
The NFC West was the only division in 2025 where three teams from the same division reached the playoffs and the upcoming campaign promises to be just as lively.
NFC West Division Winner Prediction
Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC West (+100)
The antepost odds favor the Los Angeles Rams this season to win the NFL Championship at +550. The level of confidence in their success is high, with the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens considered their closest rivals at +1000.
In the off-season, the Rams bolstered their defense by trading for 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 for the Cleveland Browns.
With Garrett now 30 and quarterback Matthew Stafford 38, the Rams are going all in to win another ring.
Head coach Sean McVay has not list his magic touch and the Rams look to have a well-rounded roster ahead of the new season.
Rumors suggest former star Aaron Donald may come out of retirement and return to the team and the Rams look good value to top the NFC West standings.
There is no doubt that Seattle deserve respect, but they have lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Running back Kenneth Walker III was allowed to leave in free agency, putting a lot of pressure on rookie Jadarian Price as a first-round selection.
Neither the Arizona Cardinals nor the 49ers should be able to compete with the Rams and Seahawks, but it is McVay's team that looks the best placed to sit top come January.
Regular Season Wins - Los Angeles Rams Over 11.5 (-130)
The NFC West is the best division in football until one of the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks falls away and all three teams won 12 games or more last season.
McVay's team managed to finish with a 12-5 record and while losing Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator is far from ideal, they have promoted Nathan Scheelhaase, who was previously the pass game coordinator.
The Rams have lost two weapons on defense in Trent McDuffie and Jared Verse, but the addition of Garrett is as good as it gets.
If Donald comes back, the Rams have the ultimate defensive front and they should be able to record another double-digit win season with ease.
To make the playoffs - No - San Francisco 49ers (+120)
The 49ers propped up the rest of the NFC West in 2024 with a 6-11 record and, while it is unlikely that things are that bad this season, the value is too good to ignore for them not to make the playoffs this season.
San Francisco has seen former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh join the Tennessee Titans as head coach, while assistant head coach Gus Bradley has followed him.
The addition of Mike Evans will help their cause, but the wide receiver is injury-prone and does not have too much support, with George Kittle still recovering from an Achilles injury.
As well as selection woes, the 49ers have a pretty demanding schedule. They are due to face the Rams in Melbourne and will also travel to Mexico City to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
That tie against the Vikings was due to be a home game, meaning the 49ers give away a crucial advantage.
San Francisco's roster looks light in a lot of places, and with plenty of their players used to spending time on the sidelines, another playoff push looks a bridge too far this season.
Read more betting picks and predictions for NFL on site
Read the latest NFL news on site
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
