NFC West division predictions

 It's now time to predict the last division in the NFC, the NFC West. This division features the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the team who had arguably the best offseason, the LA Rams. This is going to be a fun division to predict, and I can't wait for it. So let's go get into it.

1. Los Angeles Rams (13-4) (1 seed)

2. Seattle Seahawks (11-6) (5 seed)

3. San Francisco 49ers (10-7) (6 seed) (win tiebreaker over CHI)

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)

The Rams were a very good team, but they happened to be in a very tough division, and so they came second in the West, and were the 5 seed. They survived scares against the Panthers and Bears to reach the NFC Championship, where they lost to the Seahawks in a tough game. At least they had the NFL MVP in Matthew Stafford. In free agency they traded for Trent McDuffie, which should help their secondary very much. They had an interesting draft, choosing Georgia QB Stetson Bennett despite Stafford healthy. Sure, Stafford is towards the end of his career, but why draft for the future now? Anyway, their offseason didn't end there. They signed 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, who set the single-season sack record last year. So yeah, pretty busy offseason.

The Seahawks were expected to be bad heading into last year. Boy, did they prove everybody wrong. They went 14-3 and won the Super Bowl, dominating the Patriots in a game that was never really close. Sam Darnold proved all his doubters wrong and Jaxon Smith-Njigba cemented himself as one of the better receivers in the league. And who could forget that defense? It was one of, if not THE best defensive units in the league. So how did their off-season go? It was alright. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker left for the Chiefs, and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak left to become the coach of the Raiders. They extended Njigba and drafted Jadarian Price, but outside of that, not the best off-season. I still think they'll be fine.

The 49ers were badly injured, as always, but they still won in spite of the injuries. They made the playoffs and dethroned the reigning champs on their turf. Sure, they got decimated by the Seahawks, but that was going to be a tough task no matter what. Their offseason was a busy one. They signed receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and drafted one in De'Shaun Stribling. They traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys. Unfortunately, they already lost Ricky Pearsall for the season, and head coach Kyle Shanahan was in a terrible car crash. Thankfully, he's okay. I could see the Niners returning to the playoffs.

The Cardinals won their first 2 games last year, and then won 1 game the rest of the way. They fired their head coach and offensive coordinator. They drafted Jeremiyah Love and Carson Beck. They cut Kyler Murray. They cut Emari Demarcado, who made an embarrassing mistake in week 5. They are trying for a new look this year. I'd be shocked if it worked, especially with how hard that schedule is.

This division should be a fun one, especially with the Rams and Seahawks. The 49ers, if they somehow stay healthy, should be a competitive team. And the Cardinals are....there. 

Next time I will be shifting to the AFC and starting with the AFC East, featuring the Bills and Patriots (who the Seahawks beat in the Super Bowl). I am very excited for the switch to the new conference. I hope you all are as well.