NFL Predictions by Division: NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been so close for so many years. They’ve lost the Super Bowl and NFC Championship game twice in the last five seasons. I think they have one more elite level season in them before it all falls apart. Let’s focus on the positive though in 2024.

Christian McCaffrey continues to be the best weapon in the league. It’s not even close. He’s the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. In the four seasons he’s been healthy, he’s averaged 2,065 yards from scrimmage and almost 17 touchdowns. He’s an unstoppable force and he’s not alone on this 49ers team. George Kittle is arguably a top three tight-end and Brandon Aiyuk is a clear-cut WR1. Purdy has had no shortage of weapons over his career. The one small hole in this offense is the line. The unit has taken a step back in the last couple years. They’re still a top 15 squad. That’s about as good as you can ask for when so much of your cap is spread elsewhere.

The San Francisco defense will continue to wreck teams in 2024. Their All-Pro safety, Talanoa Hufanga only got to play in ten games before his season was derailed by an injury. Without him, the defense was still third overall in points allowed. Arik Armstead signed with Jacksonville in free agency and that loss will hurt. The 49ers do have plenty to make it for it. Yiadom and Ward are both great cornerbacks. Greenlaw and Warner and elite linebackers. Their defensive line isn’t strong after Bosa, but he can get plenty of pressure by himself.

Key Additions
CB Isaac Yiadom

Key Losses
DT Arik Armstead

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are going to look very different this year now that number 99 isn’t in the middle of the defensive line wreaking havoc. They’ve spent a lot of draft capital recently on their defense and it shows as they’re the 4th youngest team overall in the NFL. Being young certainly isn’t a bad thing. It allows the defense to be quick to the ball. Swarming wherever the pigskin may be. Look at Kansas City’s defense last year and you’ll see something Los Angeles is hoping to achieve with theirs in 2024.

Stafford on the other hand is anything but young. The Rams are trying to milk the last remaining ounces of great football he has in him. He’ll be 37 at the end of the season, but he says his shoulder is as healthy as it’s ever been. If Cooper Kupp can stay upright, him and Puka Nacua will again be a top wide receiver duo. In order for those two to shine, the Rams need their offensive line to take a step forward in pass blocking. They had issues last year with giving Stafford time to throw and it showed in big games. If they improve there, this offense could be in the top 5.

Key Additions
DE Jared Verse (Rookie)

Key Losses
DT Aaron Donald
LB Bobby Wagner

Seattle Seahawks

Seatle scares me a lot and not in a good way. They’ve been 9-8 two years in a row. Dave Canales left after the 2022 season and Geno Smith was not the same last year. The Seahawks went from the 9th best scoring offense to the 17th and Smith’s passing touchdowns dropped by 33%. He still won’t have a lot of help upfront as Seattle is coming into 2024 with the 2nd worst rated offensive line (per PFF).

An average quarterback and a terrible offensive line are not things you want for your favorite team. They do still have their two stud receivers, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. I just don’t know how effective they’ll be if Geno is constantly being pressured. Hopefully, this run game led by Kenneth Walker III can pick up some of the slack.

Seattle needs their defense to carry them if they want to succeed in 2024. Witherspoon is a lockdown corner. Dodson is a great linebacker and Williams and Murphy II can clog up the holes while also supplying pressure. They need Mafe on the edge to continue getting better as the rest of their edge defenders aren’t worth much.

Key Additions
DT Byron Murphy II

Key Losses
S Adams/Diggs (More depth losses than talent)

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona’s schedule is very tough in the first two months. I want them to be good again as I think Kyler Murray is fun to watch in the three o’clock window. Sadly, this might be another down year for the Cardinals. We have them at 9-8, which seems like we think they’ll be decent. This is mainly due to a late season stretch where after the Week 11 bye they face Seattle x2, Minnesota, New England and Carolina.

Their offensive line is bad. The defense is terrible. How fast Marvin Harrison Jr. comes along will be the only interesting part of the team in 2024. James Conner is an efficient running back. However, it’s tough to build a running game if the defense is letting up 27 points per game. I want to see Gannon turn this team around. I just don’t believe he has all the pieces yet.

Key Additions
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Key Losses
DT Zach Allen