Striking Gold – 2024 NFC West Preview

It’s easy to think that the NFC West is one of the most predictable divisions in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers having won 10 games in four of the past five years and the division outright in three of those campaigns. That said, this division has solid quarterback play so long as that position can stay on the field. They could still compete to send two teams in a weakened National Football Conference postseason bracket.

Arizona Cardinals

Record in 2023-34: 4-13

Key Player:  Kyler Murray – Quarterback

Player to Watch: Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver

I know it’s cliche to list the quarterback as a key player but the long-term health of Kyler Murray could be a factor that stymies the franchise for the foreseeable future. New acquisitions in Zay Jones and 4th overall pick in this year’s draft Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State at wide receiver are clear upgrades. But is the offensive line enough to protect Murray while allowing James Conner and company to provide offensive balance out of the backfield?

Pair that concern with a defense that is a mere shadow of itself from the days of Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell on the defensive line, and you have a squad that is no further from escaping rebuild status.

They do manage a few wins here and there since they are on a 4th-place schedule, but they hold pat at last years win total. Prediction: 4-13

 

Los Angeles Rams

Record in 2023-24: 10-7

Key Player: Puka Nacua – Wide Receiver

Player(s) to Watch: Quarterback — Matt Stafford/Wide Receiver — Cooper Kupp

I have two players listed as the “Player to Watch” because the health of Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp has become a crucial element. Stafford has had injury concerns in his time in Los Angeles, while Kupp has three of his seven NFL seasons with 12 or fewer games logged. Not to say that Puka Nacua isn’t himself an elite half of a dynamic duo, but if significant time is missed by either of these guys, the Rams’ identity is completely different.

Meanwhile, for those who may have thought defensive tackle Aaron Donald wasn’t as big of an impact player as advertised, after his retirement last year and absence in 2024 should help shed some light on that topic. This defense is going to take a very noticeable step in the wrong direction.

They do have a sneaky good defensive backfield, but that’s a small silver lining on that side of the ball. Prediction: 6-11.

 

San Francisco 49ers

Record in 2023-24: 12-5

Key Player: Trent Williams – Offensive Tackle

Player to Watch:  Brandon Aiyuk – Wide Receiver

Brandon Aiyuk and the contract drama had easily been the story to watch throughout the offseason. Now that it’s all behind him…eyes will still be on him. The Niners need him, and this protracted and public negotiation won’t endear him to the fans, especially if he ends up falling to an output lower than last year’s 1,342 yards with seven touchdowns.

What we saw last year is that the way you slow down the otherwise calm and cool Brock Purdy at the quarterback position is taking Trent Williams out of the game. Although his contract holdout is now over, he may need a game or two to get back into game shape. However, the Niners’ defense with Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and company is still a force to be reckoned with paired with a potent offense.

Incredibly, this perennial contender can actually improve this year if health doesn’t become a devastating issue. Prediction: 13-4

 

Seattle Seahawks

Record in 2023-24: 9-8

Key Player: DK Metcalf – Wide Receiver

Player to Watch:Geno Smith – Quarterback

The Geno Smith experiment still seems to work relatively well with back-to-back nine-win seasons and one with a playoff berth. The weapons are there for balance with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxson Smith-Njiba as wide receivers, and Noah Fant at tight end with Kenneth Walker III at running back. Smith is just good enough to capitalize with that arsenal at his disposal.

Defensively, they ranked 31st in yards allowed and 3rd downs given up in 2023. If the defense can get themselves off the field, they could be on a path to being a team that wins a playoff game like the Atlanta Falcons on the road in the NFC’s 4th seed.

That said, I believe they fall just short of that opportunity, despite the reasons for optimism. Prediction: 8-9