NFC West win totals: Fade up-and-coming Cardinals in a stacked division

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With most NFL rosters taking shape, we're revisiting the win totals for every division. After breaking down the other three NFC divisions earlier this week, we'll tackle the best division in football: the NFC West.

Three NFC West teams - the 49ers (13), Seahawks (11), and Rams (9) - won at least eight games a year ago, while the Cardinals are a squad on the rise after a 5-win campaign in 2019. With expectations high across the division, which of the four will rise above the fray?

Here are the division's win totals from theScore Bet in New Jersey:

San Francisco 49ers (10.5)

The 49ers narrowly missed our list of teams to bet in a potentially shortened offseason, but the infrastructure is there: San Francisco returns 18 of 22 starters from last year's runner-up squad, has a talented and physical roster, and boasts a coaching staff progressive enough to thrive in uncertainty.

The loss of key contributors on both sides of the ball (Emmanuel Sanders, DeForest Buckner) and the inescapable "Super Bowl hangover" give us slight pause. Still, this number feels generous at a glance, even if it's tied for the highest in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks (9.5)

I've learned to stop doubting this team. Every year, it looks like the bottom might fall out in Seattle. And every year - or, more precisely, six of the last seven - the Seahawks win at least 10 games. So who's to say Russell Wilson won't lead another 10-win charge in 2020?

One of these days, though, the team's shoddy offensive line will rear its ugly head. Seattle's once-dominant defense also looks due for another slip, especially if it can't re-sign Jadeveon Clowney. This is a difficult team to go under on, but 10 wins feels like too much to ask.

Los Angeles Rams (8.5)

Relative to expectations, the Rams seemed like major disappointments a year ago. Then you realize they won nine games behind one of the league's elite defenses and ranked one spot below the 13-win Packers in scoring margin.

Los Angeles did little to improve this offseason, though, thanks to cap constraints and limited draft capital. This number feels manageable if Sean McVay can reinvigorate the Rams' stale offense, but it might require stealing a win or two from the teams higher on this list.

Arizona Cardinals (7)

The excitement around Arizona is palpable, and there's reason for it on offense. Yet there are glaring defensive holes, and outside of drafting rookie Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals didn't do enough this offseason to quell those concerns.

We've seen rookies reinvent defenses overnight, but are we really counting on Simmons boasting DPOY-like production just to get this team to eight wins? I don't love betting on that kind of scenario in such a loaded division. Maybe next year.

Best bet

Cardinals under 7 wins

The easiest fade candidates are always the teams with explosive offenses that can't hold a candle to their rivals defensively. Arizona fits that description to a T. The Cardinals have a few big names on defense, and they weren't close to enough a year ago. Unless Kyler Murray unlocks MVP mode in Year 2, the offense alone won't be enough to break through in a loaded division.

The other three teams in the NFC West are harder to peg, mostly because of their potential to cannibalize each other's wins. If you're itching for an over, ride the safest choice in the 49ers, who should get to 10 wins in their sleep.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.