2011 NFC West Odds, Predictions and Picks – NFL NFC West Division Preview

2011 NFC West Vegas Odds, Predictions and Free Picks – NFL NFC West Division Preview and Forecast: Vegas oddsmakers have posted the 2011 NFL futures odds to win the 2011 NFC West Division and the odds and lines for the NFC West plus our NFC West predictions, free picks and preview are posted below courtesy of NFL blogger Brian Polking from NSAwins.com. Enjoy…

Had the NFL decided to take away the playoff bid for the NFC West last season, no one would have objected. After all, not a single team finished above .500. However, rules are rules, and the Seattle Seahawks go to host a home playoff game against a New Orleans Saints team that won four more game than Seattle. Despite being the laughing stock of the NFL last season, a flurry of offseason moves should greatly improve the division in 2011-12. This year’s winner NFC West figures to be viewed as a legitimate playoff contender.  

2011 NFL NFC West Divisions Odds, Expert Picks, Predictions and Preview:

1. St. Louis Rams

Led by last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford, the Rams are a team on the rise. St. Louis added receiver Mike Sims-Walker in the offseason to give Bradford a legitimate deep threat and pass catching tight end Lance Kendricks in the draft to help him move the chains. Factor in an improving offensive line and the always reliable Stephen Jackson at running back, and the Rams offense should be much more consistent this season. On defense, Robert Quinn joins Chris Long on the defensive front to form what should be a stout unit. With defensive-minded Steve Spagnuolo calling the shots, the Rams should only continue to get better in that area. In the end, St. Louis is the most complete team in a bad division, which should translate into an NFC West crown and a playoff appearance.

2. Arizona Cardinals

There was a lot of buzz in Arizona this offseason when the Cardinals made the move to bring in quarterback Kevin Kolb. While the jury is still out on just how good he can be in the NFL, there is no doubt he will be an upgrade from the signal callers that Arizona put on the field last season. The Cardinals improved their offseason line in free agency as well and brought in explosive running back Ryan Williams in the draft. Throw in Larry Fitzgerald, and the Arizona offense will be far more potent in 2011-12. Defensively, rookie Patrick Peterson will get the chance to start immediately and should fit right into the unit’s aggressive style. The Cardinals are the stingiest bunch, but they do create a lot of turnovers and a lot of points off those turnovers. That being said, Arizona is going to have a hard time handling the well-rounded St. Louis team in the long run unless Kolb becomes a star in his first year as a full-time starter.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh is going to find it tough to duplicate the quick success he had at Stanford with the Niners. After all, he would probably be better off with college senior Andrew Luck under center than his current starter Alex Smith. The good news is that the team is otherwise solid on both sides of the ball. Running back Frank Gore is a versatile player, Braylon Edwards has plenty of talent and a lot to prove, and the offensive line is rock solid. On defense, linebacker Patrick Willis may be the best in the NFL, and first round pick Aldon Smith should help the pass rush, and safety Donte Whitner gives the secondary some veteran experience. If Gore can stay healthy, San Francisco will be competitive. However, the Niners don’t have a quarterback that will allow them to compete for the NFC West crown this year.

4. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle won the division last season, but the Seahawks did it with a 7-9 record, and they didn’t exactly help their cause in the offseason. Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is gone, and Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are far from adequate replacements. The offense line is talented but inexperienced, and without a passing attack, defenses are going to gang up on running back Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks defense is equally inexperienced at several key positions. Carroll brought in a ton of former USC players in the offseason, but he is going to have a much tougher building a dynasty in the NFL than he did with the Trojans.

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2011 Vegas Odds to Win the NFC West – 2011 NFL NFC West Division Odds
St Louis Rams +185
San Francisco 49ers +185
Seattle Seahawks +165
Arizona Cardinals +165