2008 NFC West Predictions

Will the Seahawks remain the gold standard in the West, capturing their fifth straight division title? Find out in Jeff Alexander’s 2008 NFC West predictions.

1st – Seattle Seahawks: 25-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

Running back Shaun Alexander went from league MVP to out of work in two short years to prove that the window for running backs in the NFL is often small. The Seahawks will now depend on newcomers Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett to rebuild their running attack. They will undoubtedly raise Seattle’s 3.8 yards per carry and 101.2 yards per game numbers from 2007. The offense will have to lean on the right arm of Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck again though, and he has proven to be up to the challenge. An underrated defense, headed by linebacker Lofa Tatupu and cornerback Marcus Trufant will continue to improve. The betting line on Seattle is 5-6 odds to win the NFC West division at BodogLife.com.

2nd – St. Louis Rams: 70-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

The Rams endured a season to forget in 2007 as the touted offense finished 28th in scoring and 24th in total offense. An injury in the second week of the season hampered QB Marc Bulger throughout. A healthy Marc Bulger returns in 2008 and so should the offense. He teams with all-purpose running back Stephen Jackson to form the best backfield in the division. The betting line on St. Louis is 5-1 odds to win the NFC West Division at BodogLife.com.

3rd – San Francisco 49ers: 75-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

Bringing in Mike Martz seemed like the natural choice for a team which was among the league’s worst in all major offensive categories. We’re not sure if Martz will be able to turn the offense around with QB’s Alex Smith or Shaun Hill as neither is a proven threat. At least he has running back Frank Gore, and he will likely use him similarly to how he used Marshall Faulk in St. Louis. Brighter days are ahead for the 49ers, but they will have to endure another tough season first. The betting line on San Francisco is 13-2 odds to win the NFC West Division at BodogLife.com.

4th – Arizona Cardinals: 50-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

Oddsmakers think the Cards are the second place fit in this division, but they just might be surprised. The Cards have only been to the playoffs once and enjoyed only one winning season since moving west from St. Louis in 1988. The offense is getting better and better with solid contributors at all the skill spots, but it is not apparent if Matt Leinart is ready to lead this team, or if he will ever be ready. If it goes south for him again, Kurt Warner is still there to bail him out. However, it is unlikely that Warner can be as successful as he was a season ago. This team still lacks the toughness and grit it takes to win on the road and that will continue to hold them back. The betting line on Arizona is 2-1 odds to win the NFC West Division at BodogLife.com.

2008 NFC West Predictions

Comments