Most people would agree that the NFC West is the best division in the NFL. It includes the conference’s past two champions, San Francisco and L.A. Rams, as well as Arizona having the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. For the Niners, the competition from within the division will make the climb back to the Super Bowl all the steeper.
A pessimist could point out that San Francisco depended on narrow escapes last season, with five of its wins by five points or fewer. But an optimist would counter that the team’s four losses were a three-pointer in Baltimore that turned on a failed fourth-and-inches attempt, an overtime defeat to Seattle that could have been avoided if a fill-in kicker had made a 47-yard field goal, a defeat on the final play from scrimmage against a red-hot Atlanta team, and their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. This team is talented, tested and impeccably coached by Kyle Shanahan. Their defence, led by second-year end Nick Bosa, will only get better. But the major question is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who struggled with ball placement last year and shrunk in the second half of Super Bowl LIV. While his struggles might have been due to his recovery from a torn ACL in 2018, the Niners need him to play like a franchise quarterback.
The Rams would have made the postseason last year under 2020’s new 14-team playoff (or if Greg Zuerlein had connected on a late 44-yarder in a Week 5 loss at Seattle). But while their NFC title defence fell flat, the year wasn’t a total loss. A young offensive line came into its own later on and, after a shaky first two thirds of the season, Jared Goff and Sean McVay found their groove, averaging 29.0 points over the final five games with Goff looking particularly sharp. The departure of hobbled running back Todd Gurley won’t hurt, though some changeover on defence might. First-year coordinator Brandon Staley has elite stars in tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but his linebacking corps is unproven.
Meanwhile, Seattle keeps finding ways to win. Two years ago, they returned to a run-heavy offense with Russell Wilson sprinkling in big throws off play-action. They don’t pile up points, but that formula allows them to hang around every week, and last season they went 11–3 in one-possession games. While the Seahawks acquired star safety Jamal Adams from the Jets, they didn’t address their lack of traditional pass rushers. Turnovers are typically created by pressure; that’s why it’s hard to envision Seattle duplicating last year’s 32 takeaways (third most in the league). Sixteen of those were fumble recoveries over the season’s first 12 games. Then Seattle failed to get a single fumble takeaway over the final six (including playoffs), when they went 2–4 (the wins coming over the hapless Panthers and the Josh McCown–led Eagles).
The Cardinals are a popular breakout candidate, with Kyler Murray coming off an impressive rookie year in Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense. Murray’s biggest flaw was on intermediate-level passes: He had a league-low 47.2 completion percentage on throws that travelled 11 to 20 yards. Did his height limit his ability to see downfield, or were his receivers not open? If it was the latter, the acquisition of All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans will serve as an instant remedy.
San Francisco 49ers
Predicted Record: 11-5
The 49ers cam agonisingly close last year, it’s the margins that make the difference. With the NFL’s best play-caller (Shanahan) and Garoppolo a bit sharper, they could go back to the Super Bowl and finish off the job. If defensive coordinator Robert Saleh once again oversees a dominating unit, he could be the Jaguars’ head coach next season.
However, bouncing back from the Super Bowl defeat will be a huge mental hurdle. This with the fact three of the last four NFC Champions have missed the playoffs the following year point towards maybe a disappointing year for the 49ers.
Los Angeles Rams
Predicted Record: 10-6
The Rams require stability within their offensive line. If Goff maintain his from last year and second-round running back Cam Askers can replace Gurley as well as an improved kicking game, the Rams can look like a serious threat. If they can get close games to go in their favour, then getting 12+ wins in the regular season is a possibility.
However, Goff does have it in him to have a patchy season. And if the defence don’t get on with the new defensive coordinator’s ideas then not even Ramsey and Donald can keep the defence ticking over. Athletic tight ends and running backs could easily exploit their defence if they aren’t careful.
Seattle Seahawks
Predicted Record: 8-8
With coach Carroll, Wagner at linebacker and Wilson, you always stand a chance. If the running game keeps working, and L.J. Collier sparks the pass rush, the Seahawks could climb to title contention.
One concern will be how many one score games they won last year. If they start going the other way and the recovered fumbles decrease, not even Adams can keep the defence from a disappointing year. A few small things go against the Seahawks and they will look like they are in huge trouble.
Arizona Cardinals
Last season the defence struggled to slow down opposing passing games; this season looks like it could be more of the same. This will put more pressure on the offense so Murray and Hopkins will have to gel quickly.
If Hopkins and Murray get on the same wavelength early on, this will help the offense thrive, helping the young wide receivers to flourish. If this and the defensive smoke-and-mirrors approach work, the Cardinals will sneak into the playoffs. This would put Murray as an outside shout for MVP.
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