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Season Predictions – NFC West
As in the other divisions, the improvement of other teams is significant, and I don’t see games being any easier this year than in year’s past.
1) Los Angeles Rams
Why will the Rams win the division?
Just like in the East, you have the team that has won the division for years; in short, you have to knock the champ off his throne before you can call it. That said, Kenny will get to coach Brady’s swan song, which should be solid if not spectacular. He boasts a solid rushing attack, two of the better weapons on offense, all behind a solid OL. In short, the Rams will continue to boast one of the top offenses in the PAFL
Where could the Rams fall short?
This is the first season that I can see some cracks, particularly on defense, especially along the DL; there isn’t a whole bunch of depth, and durability will come into play. Kenny is maybe one of the best coaches out there, and will have to be in order to keep other teams out of the end zone. The Rams will need to run the ball to protect the D and cover a bit for a Brady not quite as stellar as he has been.
Verdict
This isn’t your grandma’s Rams team, even from a year ago. You can expect to see excellent coaching, a top 10 QB and glimpses of the excellence that won the division last year, but Kenny will be hard pressed to repeat with the same record. That said, he will most likely be competing in the post-season where he is dangerous.
2) Arizona Cardinals
How could the Cardinals win the division?
Arizona made an improbable run to the Super Bowl last year, but probably boast a better team this year. Russell Wilson won’t scare anybody at QB, but most of the offense will run through the two-headed monster of Aaron Jones and Saquon Barkley, who will look to get plenty of carries and catches. There are reliable targets for Wilson to throw to, and the OL is solid, especially at the T position. The defense should be solid throughout; in short, they should be able to make enough stops to win most games
Why the Cardinals could fall short?
Arizona made a gamble this off-season, trading away Goff for Russell Wilson; obviously that is a step-down, but one that netted all-pro ILB Fred Warner. Will that make a difference? Time will tell, but teams will definitely be focused on stopping the run and forcing Wilson to put the ball in the air. Yeah, Justin Jefferson will make that easier, but until the games are played, there’s no way to predict if the move was a good one
Verdict
On paper, I am happy with this team, and feel they are a squad that can make the playoffs, but as I previously mentioned, there won’t be many games where I will be sitting guys to preserve them for later. The teams are just that much better this season.
3) Los Angeles Chargers
How can the Chargers make the division interesting?
Joe Burrow is definitely the best QB in the division, and Josh Jacobs is among the top RB’s, and he also boasts solid weapons on offense behind a decent OL. In short, Daniel can go toe-to-toe when it comes to offense with both the Rams and the Cardinals.
How could the Chargers fall short?
The front 7 of the defense is good…not great, and their secondary will be tested against the top teams in division. Don’t get me wrong…playing the Chargers will be no walk in the park…and the run they went on at the last season was for real, but they may find it tough to poke through
Verdict
The Chargers were the only team with a winning record that didn’t make the post-season; while that might happen again, I don’t think the top teams in the other divisions will feast on their division to boost their records. It wouldn’t be a shocker to see three teams from the West make the playoffs, and it should be an interesting ride.
4) Atlanta Falcons
How could the Falcons surprise some teams along the way?
The lines on both side of the ball are solid, which is how you build a team, and there are some weapons to throw to. The defense on this team is fairly decent; honestly, put the Falcon defense on the Chargers and the Chargers could compete for the division.
Why will the Falcons finish last in the division?
To win you got to score, and the Falcons will be hard-pressed to put points on the board. Their rushing attack will be virtually non-existent, and while there are some decent weapons to throw to, the guys throwing the ball underwhelm.
Verdict
Next season, Bill will be laying out the red carpet for CJ Stroud, and that will make a big difference in their chances. Again, the Falcons are better this season than last year, but it may not matter all that much when it comes to record and where they finish in the division…the NFC has just gotten tighter this year.
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