NFC West Predictions 2023-2024 Season
49ers:
I predict that the 49ers will go 12-5 winning them the NFC West and 2nd seed in the playoffs. The 49ers will still have one of the best defenses in the league but they have lost some major players on their defense such as safety Jimmie Ward who was ranked 14th amongst starting safeties in the NFL, lost starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and one of their top cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. They did add elite defensive tackle Javon Hargrave who had 11.0 sacks last season with the Eagles and they didn’t lose much on the offensive side. But much like Seattle their schedule is not easy with them playing 8 playoff teams one of them being twice they also have playoff rematches with teams such as the Cowboys and Eagles. They play about 4 teams that can actually have a shot at making the superbowl this season. The one weakness on this team is probably the quarterback position. Many people think Brock Purdy was just a one hit wonder. I don't think this entirely because almost any quarterback can do good in their offense. But only time will tell he is coming off of the injury he sustained in the NFC championship last year and will be playing better defenses this season. So in all there is only one that could be an issue but they are still a very well rounded team so I think they can make a deep playoff push this season.
Seahawks:
I predict that the Seahawks will go 10-7 this season earning the 6th seed in the playoffs. I think Geno Smith will have a repeat season and not be a one hit wonder like many others think. Last year he led the league in completion percentage at 69.8% and had a good touchdown to interception ratio with it being 30 to 11. This team is only getting better with them picking up some of the top rookies in the draft which are Devon Witherspoon cornerback, Jaxon Smith Njigba wide receiver, and Zach Charbonnet running back. Then the previous Seahawks rookies that were starters I believe will be better due to them having experience as a starter rookie year and them now being used to the NFL environment and pressure including playoff experience. With this draft it makes the Seahawks explosive offense even better with a triple threat at the wide receiver position with Tyler and DK having over 1,000 receiving yards last season and then adding the best wr in the draft JSN. They also have K9 with 1,000 rushing yards the previous season and a decent second running back in Zach Charbonnet. Then the defense of the Seattle Seahawks is also only getting better with them adding the best cornerback in the draft with Devon Witherspoon to go along with Tariq Woolen on the other side who has only gotten better this offseason. The Seahawks have also added players some new and some old, they picked up Bobby Wagner who was ranked one of the top linebackers last season having 6 sacks and 2 interceptions, and also added defensive end Dre’Mont Jones who had 6.5 sacks while only playing 13 games last season. But one issue which they have had for a while now is the defense and I think this is due to the defensive coordinator not being good so this could be a weak point for the Seahawks. Their schedule certainly ain’t easy either with them playing 49ers twice, Cowboys, and Eagles but I think they’ve gotten better on both sides of the ball to have a winning record and will be arguably better than last season.
Rams:
I predict the Rams will go 6-11 and miss the playoffs. All together this team isn’t built to make a playoff push; they only have big named players Matthew Stafford,Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald who are all coming off of injuries last season. Then even when they did play they didn’t do that good and were struggling. They also lost their leading tackler Bobby Wagner who had 140 tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 interceptions. They also lost their leading interception leader in Jalen Ramsey who had 4 interceptions. The Rams lost 2 major players on their defense and even with these two players they had a struggling secondary unit. This year their defense is going to be full of new young faces. They could turn out good but no one knows for sure. Then like the rest of the NFC West the schedule is not the easiest this struggling Rams team will have to face division rivalries twice with the Seahawks and 49ers, Bengals, Eagles, Cowboys, Ravens, and Browns. All those teams are pushing for playoff runs, even the Super Bowl possibly. So in all I think they will do decent but will come short of making the playoffs.
Cardinals:
I predict that the Cardinals will go 3-14 and miss the playoffs. The Cardinals lost their number 1 wide receiver in Deandre Hopkins who is one of their top wide receivers with him playing 9 games and having 717 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kyler Murray probably won’t play for the first couple weeks of this season due to him having torn acl issues. They will probably move on from Kyler Murray with him not even knowing if he wants to play the sport and not getting along with the organization. The Cardinals team is rumored to have one of the worst defenses and offenses in the league. I believe they could bounce back next season due to them having 6 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft. If they want to rebuild they probably will trade away some of their decent players to get more picks for the upcoming draft. Their future is decent but this year they won’t be good, could even possibly be the worst team in the league and will not make the playoffs.