“To survive in the NFC West, we have to win in the trenches.” Those words were said by Jeff Fisher, a former coach of the Los Angeles Rams between 2012 to 2016. The NFC West plays a notoriously physical style of football, and the winner of the division is one of the top defenses in the league. Indeed, the team that protects or brings pressure on the quarterback tends to emerge as the cream of the crop. The 2023 season will be an interesting year, and in this article, we will discuss the outlook for the four teams and predict who will win the divisional crown.
1. San Francisco 49ers: 13-4
After starting last season 3-4, the Bay Area franchise rattled off ten consecutive wins to close the regular season as the number 2 seed in the conference. The team enjoyed two home victories before seeing their win streak end in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Niners should be the clear favorites to win this division because they have the best roster among the challengers. On offense, the unit is stacked with Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. The top-ranked defense is led by Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner. The only big question that the team has to answer is who will play at quarterback? The resurgence last season was led by Brock Purdy. However, after suffering a serious injury, there are questions about his health and whether he can return to that level. After the team climbed into the first round, Trey Lance could finally fulfill his potential after many setbacks, but there is uncertainty. Sam Darnold is the other quarterback on the depth chart, but he can only be considered a backup journeyman at this point in his career. Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, the Niners have too much talent to lose the division and challenge the Eagles in the conference.
2. Seattle Seahawks: 10-7
The Seahawks were one of the pleasant surprises from last season. The team surprised the league by flying to the top of the division with a 6-3 record, but the Cinderella run came crashing back to earth, with the team losing 5 of the next eight games to close the regular season. They were able to sneak into the playoffs thanks to the Lions defeating the Packers on the road in the final regular season game. However, they were eliminated from the playoffs thanks to the 49ers in a blowout loss. Seattle returns with questions about whether last season was a fluke or if they can challenge the red and gold. After losing Russell Wilson, many felt the Seahawks would struggle at the quarterback position and fall flat on their face. However, the ascendency of Geno Smith was a key to the rise of the Seahawks, and he will need to demonstrate a measure of consistency for the team to challenge this year. The team has a good group of dynamic wide receivers and a stabilizing force in their coaching staff. If their young players can continue to develop, then, this team can challenge for another wildcard spot.
3. Los Angeles Rams: 8-9
It would have been difficult for the Rams to repeat as Super Bowl champions last season because that is an outlier in the modern NFL. However, it was shocking how their season disintegrated so quickly due to poor play and injury problems. The team enters this season with most of its Super Bowl roster gutted including losing top cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins. The team still has the best quarterback-wide receiver connections in Matt Stafford to Kooper Kupp, one of the best offensive coaches in the league in Sean McVay, and a top defensive player in Aaron Donald. It will be difficult for them to win the division, but if everything can fall into place, this team could challenge for a wild card spot with a week or two left in the season.
4. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14
Phoenix is currently experiencing 31 straight days of temperatures over 110 degrees. Sadly, watching their football team will be as challenging as enduring the heat in the desert. 2023 will be a rough year for the Cardinals because they are projected to lose their starting quarterback, Kyler Murray, at least half the season with an ACL injury. It means that by the time he is fit, they may decide to put him on the shelf for the remaining season because of their poor record. The team appeared to accept their fate by releasing De’Andre Hopkins, making non-aggressive moves, and trying to get draft capital. Ideally, the team will be well-positioned for a top first-round pick and a healthy Kyler Murray to attack the 2024 season.