Josh Frey’s NFL Standings Predictions: NFC West
The NFL season is fast approaching now that teams have trimmed their rosters down to 53 players.
With that in mind, let’s take a look across the league and break down every division. Today, we continue that process with predictions for the NFC West.
AFC East predictions
NFC East predictions
AFC North predictions
NFC North predictions
AFC South predictions
NFC South predictions
AFC West predictions
NFL Standings Predictions: NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers (14-3)
If something could go wrong for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, it did go wrong. Through it all, the 49ers ended up with a 6-11 record; a serious disappointment as they were coming off a Super Bowl appearance the year before.
The biggest question, other than health, coming into 2025 is how they will turn around a defense that ended up ranked 29th in points per game allowed last season, averaging 25.6 points allowed. Cornerstone pieces like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner remain in place, but the 49ers will be relying on a number of young players to take crucial snaps this season, including first-round pick Mykel Williams.
2. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
The Los Angeles Rams saw their pass rush really come to form down the stretch of 2024, and Jared Verse came into his own with a pair of sacks during the Divisional playoff game against the Eagles. That group of pass rushers that caused trouble for Minnesota and Philadelphia in the playoffs is coming back largely the same.
The question with Los Angeles revolves around Matthew Stafford’s health as the 37-year-old has been dealing with a back issue. If Stafford is healthy, the Rams could be in the mix for a deep playoff run, but there is a decent chance that Jimmy Garoppolo could see some playing time early in the year.
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-10)
The Seattle Seahawks saw Sam Darnold’s 2024 season and decided they needed to make him their quarterback to the tune of $100.5 million. Darnold certainly put together a strong campaign with the Minnesota Vikings last year, but how will he perform with an objectively less talented group of weapons around him?
The Seahawks traded away DK Metcalf this offseason, and their plan to replace the physically dominant receiver was to add a 32-year-old Cooper Kupp who has dealt with injury troubles in every season since winning the receiver triple crown in 2021.
Seattle’s defense should remain solid in 2025, especially with additions of Demarcus Lawrence and second-round pick Nick Emmanwori. We’ll see if the offense can buoy this team towards a winning record, but I have my doubts.
4. Arizona Cardinals (5-12)
The Arizona Cardinals have completely rebuilt their defensive front over the offseason, signing Josh Sweat and reuniting with Calais Campbell to bring extra pass rush help while Dalvin Tomlinson is their new run-stuffing defensive tackle in the middle of that group.
However, the big questions reside on the offensive side of the ball. Marvin Harrison’s rookie season was a bit of a disappointment as he and Kyler Murray simply never seemed to get on the same page over the course of the year. Harrison has also decided to add about 10 pounds of muscle to his frame, an interesting decision for a player who largely relies on athleticism to get open.
If Harrison and Murray can turn into one of the more dynamic QB-WR duos in the league, this team can compete for a playoff spot.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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