2023 NFC West Division Preview
We continue our NFL division previews with a look at the NFC West Division. Two teams from this division made the playoffs a year ago, and those two teams have a shot to return to the postseason this year. Below, we highlight all 4 teams in their predicted order of finish with what needs to happen for them to make the playoffs. Please check out our site for our previews of the other 7 divisions and check out our shows and like and subscribe.
San Francisco 49ers
Photo Credit: USA Today
Biggest Strength:
The San Francisco 49ers are the clear favorites to win this division. Now that reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa has been locked up long term and is back in the fold, this team should be able to make a deep playoff run. With Bosa and LB Fred Warner, they have elite players on their front 7. They anchor one of the league’s best defenses as they led the league in turnover differential and yards against. Only injuries will be the thing that keeps this team from winning the West. RB Christian McCaffrey will be with this team for a full season, but it is important to note that last year is the healthiest he has been in years. They are elite at tight end, and with Deebo Samuels and Brandon Aiyuk at receiver, this teams has lots of weapons on offense.
Biggest Question Mark:
QB Brock Purdy is coming off an elbow injury and was on a limited pitch count in the preseason. After trading former first-round draft pick QB Tre Lance to Dallas, this team will need Brock to stay healthy. Sam Darnold is their backup option, but we have seen that movie before in New York and Carolina.
Predicted record: 13-4.
Seattle Seahawks
Photo Credit: USA Today
Biggest Strength:
QB Geno Smith was one of the feel-good stories in the league last year. Many thought the Seahawks would be a bottom tier team in the NFL last season, but thanks to a good year from Geno and a solid rookie season from Kenneth Walker III, the Seahawks surprised and made the playoffs. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf return at wide receiver, and Walker backed up by Zack Charbonet will anchor their running game.
Biggest Question Mark:
One big question for Seattle is can Geno do it again or was last year a career season. If he repeats his 2022 season, the Seahawks will finish second in this division and contend for a playoff spot. But the Seahawks were bad against the run as they allowed the 3rd-most rushing yards in the NFL and lost at least five games because of it. They overhauled their front seven in the offseason by bringing in Dre'Mont Jones and Bobby Wagner.
Projected record: 10-7.
Los Angeles Rams
Photo Credit: USA Today
Biggest Strength:
The LA Rams would probably finish last in every other division in the league except the NFC West. Matthew Stafford is back at quarterback, and the inconsistent Cam Akers is back at RB. Cooper Kupp has been one of the best receivers in the league over the last few seasons, but he will miss the season opener. If that injury lingers and he is unable to give them much this year, then the Rams may finish last in this division, but that will be hard to do. The only way this team makes the playoffs is if Louisiana’s finest (Marshall Faulk), Isaac Bruce and Torii Holt can travel back in a time machine and join this team in their primes. Seriously, Kupp has to be healthy, have another triple crown season and Cam Akers has to have an unbelievable year. All that may not be enough considering all the youth on this roster. Sean McVay considered stepping down as coach of this team in the offseason before deciding he is fully committed moving forward. By the end of this year, he may doubt that decision.
Biggest Question Mark:
The Rams’ defense has undergone major changes in the last few years and the pass rush may struggle for it. Aaron Donald is still elite, but the rest of the defensive front is young and unproven. Donald had 5 sacks last season despite injuries, LB Michael Hoecht had 4.5 sacks and the rest of the group has seen even less action.
Predicted record: 4-13.
Arizona Cardinals
Photo Credit: USA Today
Biggest Strength:
The Arizona Cardinals are breaking in a new head coach, have lots of questions at the quarterback position and that is just for starters. In the last year, DeAndre Hopkins and Marquis Brown have left, they traded Isaiah Simmons to the Giants, and Kyler Murray is beginning the year unable to play. The Cardinals could very well be the worst team in the league this year. Hopefully the Eagles former defensive coordinator gets a grace period here because it looks to be a long year in the desert. He led a top defense in Philadelphia last year and might be able to build a program in Arizona.
Biggest Question Mark:
The health of their “current” QB Kyler Murray will be the talk of the town. He’s not ready to play after his knee injury and the Cards look to Joshua Dobbs to lead them. The plan seems to have Dobbs lead the Cardinals to be the winner of the Kaleb Williams sweepstakes. One thing that may ruin this plan for them is Williams’ father said that there is no guarantee he will come out this year. He stands to make $3 Million plus this year at USC, and by all accounts, he is enjoying college life. This would be the worst-case scenario for the cardinals, tank for Williams, and then he does not come out.
Predicted record: 2-15.
