When you look at the division, I think you can make a case for any of these teams to win it all. Each team is stacked in one place but may lack in another area. Can Stafford get his first playoff win? Will Russell Wilson play like an MVP again? Will Trey Lance take over at some point? Will Kyler Murray breakout again?
Arizona Cardinals
Offense Overview: Murray passed for almost 4,000 yards last year and had 819 rushing with 11 touchdowns on the ground. He is quickly establishing himself as a threat in the league. Kenyan Drake is with the Raiders now which means Chase Edmonds and free-agent signing James Conner will get the touches. The receiving core is very solid highlighted by DeAndre Hopkins after his 1,407-yard season. They also have other solid contributors including, Christian Kirk, AJ Green, and Rondale Moore. The offensive line is solid with the key addition Rodney Hudson who should help the run game excel this upcoming year.
Defensive Overview: The defensive is where the questions come from. JJ Watt is a great addition but he is only the elite interior pass rusher they have. For linebackers, they have Chandler Jones who is fantastic but after that, I am not too impressed with the rest of the squad including Isiah Simmons. Besides Budda Baker, the Cardinals secondary is severely lacking talent.
Overall Assessment: I like this team’s offense but not its defense. They are a bunch of question marks on that defense. The NFC West is the most stacked division this year in my opinion. I feel like the Cardinals may be the odd team out and won’t be able to handle the more experienced and complete teams in the division. Projected Finish: 8-9, 4th in the NFC West.
San Francisco 49ers
Offense Overview: Jimmy Garoppolo will lead this team into week 1 of the season but I would not be surprised if Lance gets the job at some point in the season. An average Garoppolo can take this team far as he has proven before, but I think Kyle Shanahan wants to do better than average. Let’s talk about the weapons surrounding them. First the halfbacks, they have Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Elijah Mitchell. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk make up a very solid receiving core. They also have a top 5 tight end in George Kittle. The offensive line is solid as well. They have Trent Williams, Alex Mack, and Mike McGlinchey to hold down the fort.
Defense Overview:
The defensive line is very good with the likes of Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw. I really like this defensive line and its ability to rush the passer. Fred Warner leads the linebacking core after having being selected to first-team all-pro last year. The man is quickly establishing himself as one of the best if not the best linebacker in pro football. The secondary is solid including Jason Verrett and Jimmie Ward.
Overall Assessment: I like this team but I am not sure I love this team. They have a great offense and a solid defense but I don’t think they are the super bowl team they were two years ago. They lost DeForest Buckner, Richard Sherman, and their talented defensive coordinator. I still think this is a solid team that will perform well this year and may even steal the division. Projected Finish: 10-7, 3rd in the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks
Offense Overview: This team put up 459 points last and now just hired two coordinators from the Rams staff. Russell Wilson has to be happy. Wilson always finds his name in MVP talks and for good reason too. While he has yet to win MVP, he is the heart of the offense with him leading the way, this team can go big places. Behind him are Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Carson played in 12 games last year and only put up 681 yards. However, in 2018 and 2019 he put up 1,151 and 1,230 yards respectively. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are a very underrated duo and make the life of Wilson much easier. The offensive line is not great. Wilson was upset with the way the offensive line was structured last year and only Gabe Jackson was brought in to help. The other four starters remained the same.
Defense Overview: The defensive line is led by Carlos Dunlap who was a major sparkplug that they needed desperately. Bobby Wagner continues to be one of the best MLB in the league but he is now in his 30s but luckily for Seattle is showing no signs of slowing down. The secondary is highlighted by Jamal Adams but that is about it. They lost both their starting cornerbacks and that is huge a hit.
Overall Assessment: Just like the Cardinals, I love the offense but I don’t like the defense. Wilson is a winner which gives me hope that this team will go far but the lack of key areas on defense concerns me. They still have standout players like Wagner and Adams but I feel like they need more to go over the hump in this tough division. Projected Finish: 11-6, 2nd in the NFC West.
Los Angeles Rams
Offense Overview: The addition of Stafford is McVay’s dream. When the offense is fully functional with great QB play behind it, the Rams are an immediate threat. The running game has already taken hit with Cam Akers ruled for the entire season with a torn Achilles. Darrel Henderson Jr and newly acquired Sony Michel will have to carry the load. The receiving core is solid including Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Tyler Higbee who should get most of the TE1 reps. The offensive line should be able to protect Stafford pretty well with the likes of Andrew Whitworth and Robert Havenstein protecting him.
Defense Overview: Micheal Brockers is a key loss on the Rams defensive line but they still have Aaron Donald so all is well. Rushing the passer are Leonard Floyd and Justin Hollins who should serve as effective pass rushers in the 3-4. The loss of John Johnson is huge as he was the leader in tackles last year but they still have Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams who had four interceptions last year.
Overall Assessment: Across the board, I think this team has what it takes to win the division. Great coach and quarterback combo, solid receiver, and offensive line. Two mega stars that defensive unit that has very nice depth. as a Detroit Lions fan, I hope to see Stafford succeed and I genuinely believe he will. Projected Finish: 12-5, 1st in the NFC West.
CloudZeroSports Team Prediction:
Stephen’s Pick: Rams I really believe that any team can win this division. I do think on paper that the Rams have a slight advantage. With McVay’s offense in full swing with Stafford and a defense that features Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, I think they can easily contend. The 49ers and Seahawks aren’t too far behind but I think the Cardinals will probably be the odd team out in the race. Remember though, any given Sunday.
Dante’s Pick: 49ers The NFC West crown will return to the Bay Area this season. The injury-riddled 49ers are back at full strength and ready to reclaim the NFC. The weapons Kyle Shanahan has at his disposal are unmatched. They get back a healthy George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Jimmy G, and Deebo Samuel. Pairing them with breakout candidate Brandon Aiyuk and rookie running back Trey Sermon is a nasty combination. The defense did lose their signal-caller in Salah, however, they still have there Fred Warner in the middle as a coach on the field. With the offense firing on all cylinders, the defense should be ready to wreak havoc and not being leaned on the whole game as they were last year.
Puggy’s Pick: Seahawks This is probably the hardest division to predict this season. When comparing each team, they all have questionable defenses, but outstanding offenses. In the end, I think the Seahawks will prevail and win the NFC West. For years, Russell Wilson has been contending for the MVP and putting up great numbers. I expect him to continue that trend this year especially with the wide receiver duo he has in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. On the defensive side, the Seahawks don’t have the most fierce defense, but I expect a healthy Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams to help them prevail. While the NFC West is no push over and will definitely come down to the wire, I can definitely see Seahawks winning
Zach’s Pick: Rams This is, in my opinion, a division anyone could win. A healthy Matt Stafford is an amazing QB though, and along with them, they have Kupp, Woods, Jefferson, and Higbee. Aaron Donald and the rest of their defense will continue to destroy as well. The LA Rams are my pick to with the NFC West but the Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers all have a great chance at winning.
Ryan’s Pick: 49ers This division will really be a toss-up between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. Assuming that Deebo Samuel can actually stay healthy. Deebo had a hamstring and ankle injury earlier this year. Deebo and Brandon Aiyuk both are improving and I believe they will perform strongly as wide receivers this season. Couple Deebo and Brandon with Jimmy Garoppolo and you have a pretty strong offense. The only real rivaling team, as mentioned before, would be the Rams. Putting Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo head-to-head is vital. In overall percentages, Jimmy Garoppolo has the higher completion and winning percentages. It will be close between the two teams but I believe the 49ers will take the division championship with their strong offense.
Micky’s Pick: Cardinals The NFC West is a toss-up in my eyes with the Seahawks always being a solid contender, the Rams having a solid team and adding Stafford to their roster, and the 49ers were 13-3 in 2019-20. The reason I put an asterisk next to my pick, however, is because I need J.J. Watt to stay healthy for me to pick them confidently, and unfortunately given his last few seasons I don’t know if he will remain healthy for the whole season. I think Kyler is a young stud of a quarterback and with help from DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green as his wideouts, they will make a very solid run this year.
Dustin’s Pick: Seahawks I really like Russell Wilson. He is the best quarterback in the division and I think that is what puts the Seahawks over the edge. With this coaching staff and weapons, Wilson has provided to him, he could easily take the Seahawks to another division title.
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