Fall is in the air, Starbucks has started selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Which means the NFL is back. It’s time to take a look across the league and give expert opinions and predictions, none of which will be wrong.
Check out the NFC East preview and predictions here.
Check out the NFC South preview and predictions here.
The San Fransisco 49ers have been a juggernaut in the NFC, with three straight Conference Championship appearances and a Super Bowl appearance, and unfortunately nothing to show for it. The Rams proved last year that when they’re healthy, they are still very much a problem; a full year of a healthy Kyler Murray with rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to be a connection to watch throughout the season for Arizona, and the Seahawks are entering a new phase of their franchise.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Last season: 12-5
Prediction: 11-6
With the Trent Williams extension done, and Brandon Aiyuk finally under contract after a long winded saga, it’s hard to see anyone topping the Niners in this division. Dre Greenlaw will be out recovering from his achilles injury suffered during the Super Bowl, but will make a return at some point this year.
Offensively, this team is still a juggernaut. Christian McCaffrey is the best running back in football, and it’s hard to find any three receiver options better than Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. Another strong showing from the Niners in 2024.
Los Angeles Rams
Last season: 10-7
Prediction: 10-7
The Rams proved last season that with a healthy Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay at the helm, they’re still a dangerous team in the NFC. Hopes are high for second year WR Puka Nacua, but Cooper Kupp is still Stafford’s best man, and I think we’ll see him have a bit of a resurgence this season.
It’s impossible to replace Aaron Donald, so watching how the Rams defense holds up without him is going to be a big concern. I think Stafford and McVay are good enough to end up with 10 wins, but it’s going to be a grind.
Arizona Cardinals
Last season: 4-13
Prediction: 7-10
The Cardinals won three of their four games last year when Kyler Murray returned from his ACL injury. There’s a lot of optimism with him, Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride on the offensive side of the ball.
The Cardinals lack overall depth. The wide receivers behind Harrison Jr. don’t really inspire confidence, and the defense as a whole feels thin. It’s a tough division, and the Cardinals are still the little brother here. But a full season of Kyler Murray again will at least make them competitive, despite what the final win-loss record may be.
Seattle Seahawks
Last season: 9-8
Prediction: 6-11
Life after Pete Carroll, that’s what the season is all about, and it’s what the organization needs to figure it out. What will the Seahawks identity be this year? Geno Smith regressed last season from his breakout 2022 year, and I expect some more of the same. I don’t think he will be bad, per se, but he won’t be the guy that is going to light up the field.
Although the Seahawks have talent around Smith to win games, the defense leaves a lot to be desired. They have some good individual talent, including cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon, but as a unit the defense gave up the eight-most points and third-most yards last season.
The post-Pete Carroll growing pains will be in full effect. The Seahawks need to do some digging for who their next franchise quarterback will be to lead them into this new era, because it won’t be, and can’t be, Geno Smith for much longer.
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