Part 2 of our division preview series, predictions. A look at how I believe the NFC West will play out. 

Rams 11-6

The Rams still have the best roster in the division. The factor that will determine whether that carries over to conference wise success will be the development of depth pieces, which credit to the Rams almost always happens under a Sean McVay team. The Ram’s biggest competition to repeat in the Super Bowl will be the AFC and Tampa Bay. If they can find depth and Matthew Stafford continues to play like a borderline top ten QB, the Rams have a real shot at defending the title.

Cardinals 8-9

The issue for the Cardinals is the issue their QB has, consistency. If the Cardinals and Kyler Murray can play the back half of the season they always seem to play the front half, they’ll be in a good spot to contend for a division title. The issue is we have yet to see this from the Cardinals and Kliff Kingsbury seems to crumble come Halloween each year. Arizona needs to survive without Deandre Hopkins and explode when he returns. The passing game will need to carry the day, the backfield is thin on offense and on the defensive side of the ball, it’s an aging group of super stars. Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins will need to make jumps for this defense to really get rolling. The Cardinals are just a team stuck in the middle.

Niners 8-9

Trey Lance is a major question, his success will determine what the Niners do this year. Obviously, I am not super high on him, but it seems as though Niners brass isn’t particularly excited by him either. Does he have the tools, undoubtedly, but we need to see him put it together on the field before we can make an assumption on how he’ll play. I think we will likely see him start slow and get better as the season progresses. There is a real chance that the Niners stick with him into next year, but what Lance needs is on field playing time. Hopefully this year he will get it. Who knows though, this could be the next Patrick Mahomes and Lance could explode onto the scene.

One other note: I worry about the defense, the pass rush isn’t as deep as in prior years and the secondary leaves more questions than answers. If the group can be league average that would be a huge win. Nick Bosa will have to have a massive, and healthy season for this defense to remain fierce.

Seahawks 5-12

When you roll into the season with Drew Lock and Geno Smith as your answers, you are prepared for failure. Here are some positives though, the Seahawks still have two very good main weapons, weapons that could ultimately be dealt mid season for great value, and you could still hold onto one of either DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett to give your presumably rookie QB next year a nice cushion. The defense doesn’t look terrible, though like the Niners the question does arise, who exactly is playing corner? The running game should be a boon for fantasy players, Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker the second should be must drafts in most leagues, especially with the improvements to the offensive line.