NFC West Preview


 We’ve made it to August, which means the NFL Season is just around the corner! Over the course of the month, I’ll be previewing each of the division races, looking at the teams in order of finish from 2025. Below, we start with the NFC West. Let’s dive in!

Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
About: The Seahawks won the NFC West, won the NFC, then won the Super Bowl. So, you know, they did pretty well! The Seahawks also didn’t have a ton of changes, which helps. Sam Darnold is back at quarterback, with all his primary receivers—Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, along with tight end A.J. Barner. But the team lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who is now on the Chiefs. Still, the team has Zach Charbonnet, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and rookie Jadarian Price to carry the load. That combined with a mostly returned defense should help. I think the Seahawks are still going to be a strong team.
Prediction: The Seahawks will still make the playoffs, but I don’t know if they win the NFC West.

Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
About: The Rams lost the division to the Seahawks then lost the NFC Championship Game to the Seahawks. That left them wanting to make up the difference. The acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs and Myles Garrett from the Browns. Now, it appears Aaron Donald might be back. That combined with a returned offense from a year ago makes the Rams a fierce contender as the Super Bowl comes back to Los Angeles, again. I like this Rams team and I think they are rightly one of the Super Bowl favorites.
Prediction: I like the Rams to win the NFC West and make a deep run to the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
About: The 49ers were tied with the Rams in record but slipped to third in the West. The team still made the playoffs despite a myriad of injuries. The 49ers will hope for better health in 2026, though it’s not starting off well with Ricky Pearsall out for the year. But the team brought back Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw, adding Mike Evans as well. The 49ers have a lot of weapons and should be a contender.
Prediction: The NFC West had three playoff teams a year ago and might well do the same this year. Don’t sleep on the 49ers.

Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
About: The Cardinals had a terrible 2025 that culminated in a coaching change and sending Kyler Murray out to Minnesota. New Head Coach Mike LaFleur has his work cut out for him. The Cardinals need to improve on both sides of the ball and will rely on Jacoby Brissett at quarterback to start the season. I like the addition of Jeremiyah Love in the backfield, along with Tyler Allgeier. This could be a fun offense to watch, if nothing else. But a lot of how far they go depends on quarterback and the progression of Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Prediction: The Cardinals miss the playoffs and finish last but look better.


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