We’re finally at our last division preview and we’re just one day away from regular season football. The wait is coming to an end and it’s always the best time of year. It’s going to be an odd year for the NFC West in some respects, but they will be very similar in others as last season. I think there are realistically 3 playoff potential teams, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Just like the rest of the divisions in football, there will be some stiff competition to get that top spot, but I think this one is more cut and dry than many divisions. Keep on reading to ready what I think will happen this season for the NFC West.

1: Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

The Rams lost some key people this offseason, but they kept their core for the most part and having a lot of returning players from a Super Bowl season should be enough to keep them in contention. They extended Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford this offseason and I think that was priority number one for the Rams. Kupp recorded the 2nd highest receiving yards in a single season in NFL history and a fun fact, Matthew Stafford was the QB for the Top 2. They added Allen Robinson to the receiving core on a 3-year deal and with the departures of OBJ and Robert Woods, Robinson will help tremendously. The biggest addition to the Rams is 8-time Pro Bowler, Bobby Wagner. He will strengthen that defense and they really don’t need any more help, so their defense will be extra scary. The Rams will be a force yet again, it’s as simple as that. You could argue that they’re not as strong as they were last year, but they will a tough team to face in January.

Difference Maker: OLB, Justin Hollins

Hollins missed a good portion of the season in 2021, but he was around to see the Rams win the Lombardi. He’ll be back in the same role with the Rams, but things are a little different. Von Miller is now gone and with Bobby Wagner on this defense, Hollins will have more sack opportunities and it will give him a bigger chance to shine.

2: San Francisco 49ers (11-6)

The Niners defense should be great yet again and for the most part, things will remain similar to last season for them. The biggest question mark regarding the 49ers is the QB spot. Can Trey Lance be the guy to lead the Niners to bigger and better things? We’ll find out this season, but I am a believer in him. I think that he had enough experience last season to learn and build on to the talent that he already has. I believe it was the right decision to have him sit last season and we’ll see if he’s ready, but I think he is. Deebo Samuel signed a big 3-year extension this offseason and that was really the biggest news of the offseason for the Niners. There were reports that he requested a trade, but ultimately re-signed. The 49ers had a 10-7 season last year and I think they will be close to what they did last season. Their roster didn’t change a lot and there really wasn’t a need for it. They have the talent, they just need a spark. They hope that Trey Lance will provide that spark this season.

Difference Maker: QB, Trey Lance

Trey Lance could make or break the Niners this season. It appears that they’re putting their trust in the young QB, but not quite willing to part with Jimmy G, so the trust level isn’t full yet. If Trey Lance can live up to the hype, he will be the guy to take them to the next step and he will definitely be the biggest difference maker for them this season.

3: Arizona Cardinals (7-10)

Perhaps I am underrating the Cardinals this season, but I think they will take a step back. Kyler Murray was extended in the offseason and it will be interesting to see if they take that next step. The Cardinals are a talented team, but they have a tough schedule and after starting the 2021 season 7-0, they basically collapsed. They finished the year 11-6, but they were a different team in the second half, and not in a good way. They lost Christian Kirk but gained Marquise Brown. They will get Zach Ertz in his first full season and James Connor will be the featured back after Chase Edmonds’s exit. Connor will look to replicate his performance last season when he crossed the goal line 18 total times. They lost some key pieces on defense, but I think they will be ok in that department. I just don’t think they have what it takes to win the division, but I think they definitely could be in the playoffs. Their schedule isn't going to be easy and that is my reason for ranking them so low this season. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m not expecting too much out of Arizona.

Difference Maker: ILB, Zaven Collins

Their first round pick last year will look to step into a permanent starting role this season and he could be a big reason for the defensive success of the Cards. Zaven Collins played in every game last season, but this promotion should give him a confidence boost and I think he could have a big year.

4: Seattle Seahawks (1-16)

I am projecting the Seahawks to have the worst record in football. When they traded Russell Wilson away, they traded their hopes and dreams away with it. They will not compete with Geno Smith and Drew Lock at QB. It just will not happen. They still do have Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on the roster, but someone has to throw the ball to them. The Seahawks have had O-Line trouble practically ever since Russell Wilson started, so don’t expect them to provide the QBs with proper time to get rid of the ball. Rashad Penny could have a decent year, but he’s never had a healthy season, so don’t expect big things from him. Kenneth Walker could also be a nice addition, but I just do not trust the line he has to run behind. Their defense looks bad too. I may be a little harsh on them, but I do think they will be the worst team in football this season and I don’t think there is a close second worst.

Difference Maker: LT, Charles Cross

The Seahawks are projected to be the worst in a lot of categories and O-Line is one of them. Their 1st-Round Draft pick can elevate them this season though. The former Mississippi St. lineman will look to earn his spot as the top lineman on the Seahawks this season and it’s always tough to gauge how a rookie will perform, but I think he will definitely be a difference maker this season.

Yacs

2022 NFC West Preview