West

SEATTLE (11-5) Strengths:

Seattle already had two of biggest stars in game with QB Russell Wilson and LB Bobby Wagner, then went out and made aggressive move to add SS Jamal Adams. Wilson, emerging WR DK Metcalf, veteran TE Greg Olsen and stable of running backs make Seahawks’ offense balanced. With some of Wilson’s lategame magic it should keep Seattle in every game.

Weaknesses:

Biggest question all offseason had to do with Seattle’s lagging pass rush. Seahawks added Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa but lacked impact move to bring in elite pass rusher and appease fans expecting improvement from unit that ranked at bottom last year in sacks. Despite major upgrades in secondary with addition of Adams and Quinton Dunbar, pass rush remains biggest question.

Vegas says:

Win Super Bowl: 20-1. Over/under wins: 9.

With Pete Carroll in charge and Wilson running offensive show, Seahawks are always going to be contenders. But Seattle hasn’t appeared in Super Bowl since the 2014 season and time may be running out to win another title with Carroll-Wilson combo.

Expectations: L.A. RAMS (9-7) Strengths:

DT Aaron Donald arguably is most disruptive force in modern game. CB Jalen Ramsey is among position’s elite. WRs Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are among NFL’s top duos. QB Jared Goff says he played unacceptably last year, but still racked up good numbers. Coach Sean McVay is still a golden boy, with three straight winning seasons and hunger to do more.

Weaknesses:

Largely thanks to several ill-advised contracts, Rams lost three-time Pro Bowl running back (Todd Gurley), top deep-threat receiver (Brandin Cooks), leading tackler and defensive linchpin (Cory Littleton), reliable nickel back (Nickell RobeyColeman), longtime kicker (Greg Zuerlein) and two productive pass rushers (Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews). McVay hired three new coordinators and turned over above-average defense to rookie coordinator Brandon Staley.

Vegas says:

Win Super Bowl: 33-1. Over/under wins: 8.

Rams have posted three straight winning seasons in NFL’s toughest division, but they sustained heavy player losses without replacing many of them. Not many teams could hold steady after losing everyone who walked out door in Thousand Oaks last spring. Any defense with Donald and Ramsey has to be taken seriously, and Goff/McVay passing game continues to evolve. Winning 10 games and making seven-team playoffs are reasonable goals.

Expectations: ARIZONA (5-10-1) Strengths:

Quarterback Kyler Murray showed promise as rookie and now has true No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins with veteran Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. Running back Kenyan Drake was impressive after midseason trade from Dolphins. Linebacker Chandler Jones is one of game’s best pass rushers and had career-high 19 sacks last year. S Budda Baker made Pro Bowl last year, and cornerback Patrick Peterson is three-time All-Pro.

Weaknesses:

Murray needs work on decision making after being sacked league-high 48 times in 2019. Defense was among worst in NFL, but front office took steps to make that side better, adding LB Isaiah Simmons with No. 8 overall draft pick and free-agent LBs Devon Kennard and De’Vondre Campbell and DL Jordan Phillips. Team is scrambling at cornerback after Robert Alford was lost for season with pectoral injury.

Win Super Bowl: 50-1. Over/under wins: 71⁄2.

Cardinals expect to be right in division mix. While offense should be entertaining, team’s playoff hopes likely hinge on whether defense can take big step forward. Cardinals expect to be in contention for playoff

Vegas says:

Expectations:

TD-INT