A capsule look at the NFC West heading into the 2024 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.
San Francisco 49ers
FanDuel says: Win Super Bowl: 6-1, Over/under wins: 11.5
Strengths: The 49ers have arguably the best collection of skill players in the NFL and one of the league’s top offensive minds controlling the chess board in Kyle Shanahan. It’s still a great group, even if receiver Brandon Aiyuk gets traded. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Co. will still be one of the NFL’s best offenses.
Weaknesses:Not having Aiyuk would still be a significant downgrade. There aren’t many holes otherwise for this no-doubt Super Bowl contender, assuming QB Brock Purdy doesn’t suddenly play more like a seventh-round pick and less like a guy who can get this loaded roster to the title game.
Los Angeles Rams
FanDuel says: Win Super Bowl: 30-1, Over/under wins: 8.5
Strengths: Matthew Stafford is still an upper-echelon quarterback. Puca Nacua had a record-breaking rookie season catching passes. If Cooper Kupp can stay healthy, the Rams passing attack could be lethal. The secondary was re-worked with three new veteran starters, including Tre’Davious White.
Weaknesses: The defense no longer has Aaron Donald, an all-time great who was still an impact player before deciding to retire. It’s possible the Rams’ first two picks in the 2024 draft, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske from Florida State, will both start in the front seven.
Seattle Seahawks
FanDuel says: Win Super Bowl: 55-1, Over/under wins: 7.5
Strengths:The offense has a great collection of skill talent and a new playcaller with college whiz Ryan Grubb moving across town from Washington. Rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba joins a strong pass-catching group that includes D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant. Defensive end Leonard Williams was a splashy offseason addition to help a beleaguered defense.
Weaknesses:Geno Smith regressed after a breakout 2022 season. Running back Kenneth Walker did not progress in year two after a promising rookie season. The defense was rough, but new head coach Mike Macdonald has the job after two years of running the Baltimore machine on that side of the ball.
Arizona Cardinals
FanDuel says: Win Super Bowl: 80-1, Over/under wins: 7.5
Strengths: QB Kyler Murray looked pretty good after returning from an ACL injury in the second half of the season. He could look better with Marvin Harrison Jr. catching passes this year. Tight end and CSU product Trey McBride also had a breakout season.
Weaknesses:The Cardinals had one of the worst defenses in the league, and didn’t add a lot to improve it. Beyond safety Budda Baker, it’s hard to see enough difference-makers on this side of the ball. Murray still has to prove he’s going to get closer to the ceiling that made him the No. 1 pick in his draft class.
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Originally Published: August 26, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.
