Should the 49ers Be Favorites to Win the NFC West?
The 49ers are coming off an underwhelming 6-11 season. However, Vegas remains stagnant on its belief that the team will return to playoff-contending form, as they have San Francisco as the favorites to win the NFC West Division after finishing in last place in 2024. This offseason has been looked at as a renovation for the 49ers, and a lot will need to go right for them to truly remain competitive in a much-improved NFC. However, the 2025 season already seems favorable to the red and gold. San Francisco has the easiest schedule in the NFL with a projected opponent win percentage of 41.5% per the NFL. This is by far the easiest schedule for any team for the upcoming season and is one of the clear reasons Vegas trusts the 49ers to come through at +155 to earn a top-four seed in the NFC playoff picture.
The NFC West has become one of the most competitive divisions in the league. The Los Angeles Rams are going to be a very competitive team next year as they build off their Wild Card win against the Minnesota Vikings and rebound from their narrow Divisional Round loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Looking at NFC West history, the Rams have won four of the last eight division titles while the 49ers hold three titles in that span. Those two teams seem to have built the most well-rounded rosters over the past decade. However, the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have gained momentum within their respective franchises under new leadership. Head coaches Jonathan Gannon and Mike McDonald are both young, well-respected coaches looking to create a mark on the division next season. In 2017, Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan were in a very similar situation, trying to prove themselves as high-potential offensive gurus.
While McVay is in a safe position as head coach of the Rams, questions about Shanahan’s leadership could arise if the 49ers’ 2025 season is unsuccessful. San Francisco has a lot to prove during the upcoming season. Quarterback Brock Purdy received a hefty contract extension this offseason and will look to prove his worth, while defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has returned to revitalize a once top-tier defense with help from defensive All-Pros in Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. In addition, key offensive stars and defensive rookies are prepared for critical roles in the team’s quest to return to form after a mountain of injuries last season.
In comparison, the Rams signed veteran receiver Davante Adams while their stellar young defensive line core, led by Jared Verse, will have another season under their belt. Meanwhile, the Cardinals and Seahawks improved immensely within key areas of their defenses. There is no question that a bounce-back season is expected from the 49ers. However, the NFC West continues to improve year after year, and there are no guarantees on whether an easy schedule can save a team that just looked lost at times throughout their 2024 campaign.
