We wrap up our NFL Previews and Predictions where we usually do, the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks have ruled the roost for the last few years, making the playoffs all but one season under head coach Pete Carroll. Needless to say, I don’t expect that to change in 2017.
Key = Z – Home Field Advantage, Y – Division Champion, X – Wild Card
O/U wins: 10.5
My Prediction: 12-4
Sometimes there’s only so bold you can go and I don’t see any way the Seahawks don’t wrap up another NFC West crown this season. Russell Wilson has developed into a Top 10 quarterback in the NFL and he’s got solid, if underrated weapons at receiver and one of the best tight ends in the game in Jimmy Graham. A tight end Seattle seemed to finally learn how to use last season.
While the trading of Jermaine Kearse cost the Seahawks some experience at wideout, it more than made up for it with the acquisition of Sheldon Richardson at defensive tackle. Parking Richardson in the middle of the line will allow Seattle to keep Michael Bennett outside and rushing the passer. Maybe this is the year Bennett will put up the numbers worthy of the hype surrounding him as a player. If he doesn’t, Cliff Avril will as he’s been the team’s best pass rusher for years. Seattle is as deep as any team in the league with guys that can get into the backfield, with Frank Clark and rookie Nazair Jones coming off the bench.
At linebacker, the weak link is K.J. Wright in pass coverage but as long as Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are healthy that can be negated. Jeremy Lane has solidified himself as the newest member of the Legion of Boom at cornerback opposite perennial Pro Bowler Richard Sherman who almost got shipped out of town in a trade this offseason.
As good as they are, the Seahawks will go as far as the offensive line they’ve developed. While Wilson is good scrambling around and making playground plays, he needs proper protection and the team has invested in an upgraded line through recent drafts and free agency.
O/U wins: 5.5
My Prediction: 10-6
Oh yeah. Hear me out. The weakness of this Rams team has always been Jeff Fisher and the shitty coaches, including his shitty son, who he employed under him. That problem has been solved by new head coach Sean McVay and his immediate hire of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
There was a reason Jared Goff was tabbed so highly by NFL scouts coming into the draft last season. I knew he wasn’t pro ready and said as much, but this is year two and Goff, as well as the rest of the offense, is actually being coached by professionals. It already showed up in the preseason. What will help Goff is improved weapons in the passing game. The team traded for a gamebreaking receiver in Sammy Watkins, brought in Watkins’ old teammate Robert Woods as a free agent and drafted rookie Cooper Kupp to play in the slot. Not only that, but Tavon Austin remains as a gadget man and, if he can get healthy, should benefit from his first professional level coaching he’s enjoyed since the Rams drafted him.
On defense, Phillips has plenty of toys to play with. Not only did Los Angeles bring in his hand picked guys to add to the scheme, but still have Robert Quinn, Alec Ogletree, Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald if and when his holdout ends. This will be a vastly improved unit than the one Gregg Williams squandered the last few seasons.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
O/U wins: 8.0
My Prediction: 8-8
I don’t understand the fascination my fellow sportswriters have with the Cardinals, but it will probably end this year. Last year the Cardinals had a Top 10 offense and a Top 15 defense and still managed to miss the playoffs. The only thing that will change this season is those numbers will drop.
Yes, David Johnson is going to be fantastic in your fantasy league and Larry Fitzgerald ages like a Galapagos turtle, but Carson Palmer is still running the show and if there’s one thing Palmer has proven in his career it’s that when the pressure is one, he checks right out.
Head coach Bruce Arians has doubled down on his love for older players, bringing back Karlos Dansby to start at linebacker. They’ve improved most of the defense, but will be without Calais Campbell up front and it appears Robert Nkemdiche isn’t quite up to replacing him just yet.
Where the Cardinals aren’t hurting is the defensive backfield. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are two of the best int he game. The team brought in Antoine Bethea to play strong safety and Justin Bethel is solid opposite Peterson and he better be. He’s going to see a whole lot of passes thrown his way.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
O/U wins: 4.5
My Prediction: 5-11
The Kyle Shanahan era officially begins this weekend and he can already boast being the team’s best head coach since Jim Harbaugh was dumped. While you might think the 49ers should get a pass this season considering all the holes in their roster, Shanahan hasn’t played it that way. This team won’t go above .500, but it’ll compete and be in most of its games.
Quarterback Bryan Hoyer excels in situations like this. When the pressure is on, he folds like an origami swan. With no pressure at all, he should be decent. Truthfully, the worst thing that could happen to Hoyer is the 49ers coming out of the gate hot and going something like 4-2 over the first six weeks of the season. That’s when you’ll see him shit the bed.
There’s still a skeleton of Harbaugh’s offensive line here and that should help. Hoyer has solid weapons in Pierre Garcon and Marquis Goodwin. If you want some fantasy advice, pick up Goodwin as a free agent after week one if you have the spot. He’s going to catch a lot of long touchdowns this season.
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