NFC West
This time last year, the San Francisco 49ers were odds-on favorites (-200) to win the NFC West coming off a defeat in Super Bowl LVIII. Injuries got the season off track before it began, as Christian McCaffrey did not debut until Week 10 when the 49ers got off to a sluggish 5-4 start. McCaffrey only played four games and finished the season on Injured Reserve along with 18 others, including several starters. The 49ers finished at the bottom of the division with a 6-11 record.
While the 49ers are the division favorites again (+150), last year’s winner, the Los Angeles Rams (+175), are also out for some redemption as they nearly knocked off the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. Matthew Stafford, who had brief flirtations with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants before agreeing to a restructured deal, will have a new primary target to start alongside Puka Nacua as Davante Adams enters the fold.
Adams replaces Cooper Kupp, who was released by the Rams and has signed with the Seattle Seahawks (5/1). Kupp will be catching passes from Sam Darnold, who is off his career-best season (14-3 record, 4,319 yards, 35 TD) in Minnesota. The performance earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl and a $100 million contract in Seattle. Darnold is now on his fifth team in eight seasons, but he reunites with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was on the 49ers staff when Darnold was the backup in San Francisco back in 2023.
Jonathan Gannon doubled the Arizona Cardinals’ (5/1) win total from four to eight victories last season, and they improved on both sides of the ball. Kyler Murray started all 17 games and posted his best marks for yards and touchdown passes since 2021, the last time Arizona made the playoffs.
San Francisco is the favorite, potentially benefiting from the last-place schedule and the easiest overall by 2024 win percentage (.415). The 49ers committed to Brock Purdy as well with a five-year, $265 million contract. Stafford is still the best quarterback in the division, but the Rams have the first-place schedule, and the 49ers have been in the NFC Championship in three of the past four seasons. The window has not closed yet.
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Arizona Cardinals
Year 2 of Jonathan Gannon’s tenure went much better than his first as the Cardinals doubled their wins from four to eight. However, it is fair to say that Arizona should have fared even better. They were 6-4 heading into Thanksgiving weekend but began what would eventually be a 2-5 finish that included being swept by Seattle and losing in overtime at Carolina.
Kyler Murray stayed healthy for all 17 games, and the organization seems to have confidence in both him and his offense. The Cardinals spent most of their free agent money on the defensive line and used six of their seven draft picks on defense. Nevertheless, while Murray rebounded last year for his best statistical season since 2020, he was also largely responsible for the 2-5 late-season swoon.
Offense
Kyler Murray had a 12-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first 10 games last year, but he then posted an 8-9 ratio after Thanksgiving. While he is still a running threat, he does not have to do it alone like he had to early in his career because James Conner is off consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and, like Murray, also was able to stay healthy in 2024.
Marvin Harrison Jr. had a good rookie season, but the No. 4 overall pick failed to make the All-Rookie team at receiver. He should take a big leap in his second season. Michael Wilson returns as WR2. Zay Jones was re-signed for another year and provided a second chance after being suspended for five games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Greg Dortch proved to be a weapon in the slot. Then, there’s Trey McBride, who was extended in April to be the highest-paid tight end in NFL history at the time of the signing. The right side of the offensive line is a question mark with second-year man Isaiah Adams and Jonah Williams, who missed nine games last year.
Defense
The biggest change on the entire roster is on the defensive line with the additions of Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell, who returns to the team that drafted him in 2008 — and where he played his first nine seasons. Tomlinson and Campbell join first-rounder Walter Nolen to help last year’s first-rounder Darius Robinson. Josh Sweat reunites with Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis from their time in Philadelphia to bolster the pass rush along with Baron Browning, who had 21 QB pressures in eight games after a midseason trade.
Budda Baker might be the best safety in the league, and the seven-time Pro Bowler had 168 tackles last season.
Outlook
The Cardinals have an opportunity to get off to a good start with three home games against non-playoff teams and a road opener at New Orleans in their first five games. The Weeks 9-11 stretch starts with an MNF game at Dallas. Murray has his homecoming where he was 42-0 as a starting QB at nearby Allen HS.
This season looks like a similar story to last year’s Arizona team. They will start off well, but then sputter at the end.
Pick: Under 8.5 Wins
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Los Angeles Rams
The Rams had a shot to reach the NFC Championship Game. They were at the Eagles’ 13-yard line with 1:14 left before a sack and an incompletion on third and fourth downs ended their season. Matthew Stafford is back on a restructured deal and got some help on offense with the addition of Davante Adams to go opposite Puka Nacua.
It is impossible to replace one of the best defensive players to ever play in Aaron Donald, but the Rams found two likely perennial Pro Bowlers up front – Jared Verse and Braden Fiske – with their first two draft picks last year. However, the Rams must fix a secondary that gave up 29 passing touchdowns (T-28th in the league) if they want to take the next step in being a legitimate NFC contender. Nevertheless, Sean McVay is going for his fifth NFC West title in nine seasons.
Offense
Matthew Stafford proved he still has a lot left in the tank, throwing for nearly 3,800 yards and 20 touchdown passes. Plus, he gets an upgrade at receiver as Davante Adams replaces an aging Cooper Kupp. Adams can bring explosiveness to complement Nacua’s consistency and reception volume. Speedy Tutu Atwell was also re-signed to play in the slot.
In 2023, the Rams finally found a running back to replace Todd Gurley after five years of trying, as Kyren Williams posted a 1,000-yard season for the first time since Gurley in 2018. Then, Williams did it again last year with career highs in yards (1,299) and rushing touchdowns (14). Left tackle Alaric Jackson is the offensive line’s anchor for the future for a group that allowed the sixth-fewest sacks last season.
Defense
It is way premature to compare the current Rams defensive line to the “Fearsome Foursome” of the ’60s and ’70s, but even with Aaron Donald in retirement, this group is already one of the best in the league. Not only are second-year players Defensive Rookie of the Year Verse and Fiske potential stars, Kobie Turner and Byron Young have 17 and 15.5 sacks in their first two seasons, respectively. Poona Ford comes in from the Chargers to play nose tackle as the Rams’ struggles against the run showed most in the playoffs, trying to stop Saquon Barkley.
Behind this elite defensive line some questions arise as the Rams must replace leading tackler Christian Rozeboom at linebacker and both starting corners – Ahkello Witherspoon and Darius Williams – are in their 30s. This group had trouble limiting big plays.
Outlook
The Rams are still a young roster, and they had 16 rookies on their active roster last season, so there is room for optimism that McVay and a quality coaching staff can get them to keep playing beyond their years, as happened last season.
As far as the schedule goes, the Rams will travel 34,832 miles this upcoming season, second only to the Chargers, and will cross 44 time zones. They also play four of their last six games on the road. Nevertheless, this young talent, especially on defense, should continue to progress.
Pick: Over 9.5 Wins
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San Francisco 49ers
The 2024 49ers season was an uphill battle as star running back Christian McCaffrey was injured in camp and did not see the field until Week 10. Fourteen of 22 regular starters missed at least some significant time last season. The Niners finished a disappointing 6-11 in defense of their NFC Championship.
While this year’s roster received a mini-purge, San Francisco still returns a core that was in the Super Bowl just two years ago. McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner lead a group that rated fourth in total offense and eighth in total defense last year despite all the adversity. Robert Saleh reunites with Kyle Shanahan as he returns for his second stint as defensive coordinator, a role he previously held from 2017 to 2020.
Adding to the optimism around the 49ers is that they play not only the last-place schedule in the NFC West, but a schedule that is rated the easiest (.415 opponent winning percentage in 2024) in the league. The talent and coaching are here, but can this team stay healthy?
Offense
The biggest story in the offseason surrounded Purdy’s contract and whether the 49ers front office would commit to him long term. Well, they did to the tune of a five-year, $265 million deal. Purdy has been very good, but the 49ers are paying him to be great.
McCaffrey was unable to defend his NFL rushing title due to Achilles and PCL injuries. He is the lynchpin to this offense, but he may have a slightly lessened workload due to the emergence of Issac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor. They will run behind an offensive line returning four starters, including left tackle Williams, who missed the final seven games.
Aside from McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk’s health is a question mark as he was lost for the season after Week 7 with torn ACL/MCL injuries. Trading Deebo Samuel to Washington creates a leadership void, but the Niners do not lack weapons in the passing game with Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and second-year man Ricky Pearsall.
Defense
Saleh inherits a group with high-end talent like 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Bosa and four-time All-Pro Warner, but some rookies including DE Mykel Williams (first round, Georgia), DT Alfred Collins (second round, Texas), and DT CJ West (fourth round, Indiana) will need to get up to speed quickly for a defensive line group that is receiving a major makeover.
Warner will need a new running mate at linebacker, and rookie Nick Martin (third round, Oklahoma State) likely gets the first opportunity.
Deommodore Lenoir leads a younger secondary where Renardo Green and Ji’Ayir Brown step into starting roles.
Outlook
The 2024 season was a hard-luck year for the 49ers in a multitude of ways, yet they still have the fourth-best odds (20/1) in the NFC to win the upcoming Super Bowl.
They have a great chance to open 4-0 (at Seattle, at New Orleans, vs. Arizona, vs. Jacksonville) and to close strongly in December with a bye week to start the month, then Tennessee, at Indianapolis, vs Chicago, and vs. Seattle.
Shanahan has been here before and has won 12 or more games in four of his last five seasons and has made the NFC Championship Game (including his time in Atlanta) in five of the last nine seasons.
Pick: Over 10.5 Wins
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Seattle Seahawks
Year 1 of the post-Pete Carroll era resulted in a 10-7 season with the Seahawks winning six of their last eight games under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, but Seattle fell short of a playoff bid.
In year two, the era of Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett now ends. Macdonald upgraded the defense last year — as was expected — but now he must transform the offense with Sam Darnold, who is off his career season last year in Minnesota, but he’s also on his fifth team in eight seasons.
GM John Schneider brought a Super Bowl (XLVIII) victory to Seattle, but the Seahawks have only one playoff win since 2016, and he is certainly on the hot seat in the Emerald City.
Offense
Geno Smith was dealt to Las Vegas. Darnold enters the fold this season, reuniting with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from their time in San Francisco. Kubiak will certainly want to run the ball more than his predecessor, Ryan Grubb. The Seahawks ranked 28th in rushing offense and hope that heavier volume, plus Kenneth Walker III’s health and increased production from Zach Charbonnet will be enough for improvement, but the offensive line has been a revolving door for the past several seasons and remains the biggest question mark on the roster.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (100 catches, 1130 yards) is now clearly the man in the passing game for Seattle, but the Seahawks are hoping that new signee Cooper Kupp still has something left in the tank at age 32.
Defense
The defensive line is the best unit on the team, with tackles Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, and Johnathan Hankins, to go along with ends Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Derick Hall made a huge improvement at linebacker and had eight sacks (Seattle had 45 as a team; T-8), but could use Uchenna Nwosu on the other side to stay healthy, as he only played 12 games the last two seasons. Ernest Jones mans the inside and was a midseason trade acquisition last year that solidified this group.
Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen are one of the best corner duos in the game, and Coby Bryant cemented himself at free safety last year. This is the best back four Seattle has had since the “Legion of Boom” days.
Outlook
Seattle was always a solid road team under Carroll, as they went 20-9 in 10 a.m. PT road games, and Macdonald continued that success with a 3-0 mark last year. This year, they have four of them, and the Seahawks make six cross-country trips in total.
The Seahawks could get off to a slow start, as it will take time for a new offense to gel with potentially seven new starters. Darnold showed the ability to play at a high level last year, but was he a one-hit wonder?
The defense will keep them in most games, but the Seahawks may take a step back this year in the first year of this new offense, especially behind an offensive line that has not been upgraded nearly enough.
Pick: Under 8.5 Wins
