Fresh off their Super Bowl appearance, the San Francisco 49ers entered this season as a solid favorite to win the NFC West. But the division is now the NFL's most competitive - with the Niners on the outside looking in. After 11 weeks, the Arizona Cardinals are clinging to the top spot with a 6-4 record, but the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers all sit just one game behind at 5-5.
The Cardinals are coming off a bye but they became the division favorite because of other results. The Seahawks edged out the 49ers in a thrilling 20-17 victory, thanks to a dramatic last-minute touchdown run by Geno Smith. That win dropped the 49ers to a 1-3 division record. Elsewhere the Rams bounced back from a rough Week 10 loss with a gritty 28-22 win over the Patriots, powered by Matthew Stafford's four touchdown passes and dominant performances from receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Arizona is now the division's -110 betting favorite. Their 2-0 NFC West record puts them in a strong position, but their upcoming schedule is no cakewalk. They'll face the Seahawks twice in the next three weeks with the Rams wedged in between -- matchups that could either solidify their lead or throw the division into further chaos.
The Rams, sitting at +250 odds, are also an intriguing option. They've already beaten both Seattle and San Francisco and are finally healthy at the skill positions. If Stafford and the Rams offense can maintain their current form, they could be poised to overtake Arizona in the coming weeks. Seattle, with +300 odds, also remains firmly in the mix. A home win over the Cardinals in Week 12 would position them as serious contenders, but their inconsistent divisional play does raise questions about the ability to close the gap.
As for the 49ers, their +400 odds reflect a steep hill to climb. With three divisional losses already, San Francisco has little room for error and travels to Green Bay on Sunday as a two-point underdog. They are still alive for a playoff berth but the +210 odds to reach the postseason paint an accurate picture.
As the NFL regular season nears its conclusion, the NFC West is still fully up for grabs. The Cardinals hold the tentative edge but one setback could turn this race on its head. Bettors should keep a close eye on Week 12, where key matchups could decide the fate of the division -- and the odds along with it.