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NFL Predictions 2018: NFC Division, Wild Card winners

By Mark Morales-Smith

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Todd Gurley II (R) of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown during the NFL match between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Todd Gurley II (R) of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown during the NFL match between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

NFC West

Division Champion: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams were excellent last year and they did it with a young quarterback, strong defense and MVP caliber running back. They took that already strong roster and just loaded it up with talent. Just to name a few the Rams added Brandin Cooks, Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. This looks like, dare I say it, a Dream Team.

However, we have seen teams do this before and flop in a major way. The team that “wins” the offseason often doesn’t translate. Most notably when the Philadelphia Eagles loaded up for a Super Bowl run and fell flat on their faces. I absolutely am aware of the danger of that happening here. Especially considering some of the massive personalities they’ve added to their locker room.

Still, I believe they’ll be able to make this work. They can just overwhelm teams with talent on the defensive side of the ball. As long as Jared Goff and that offense don’t regress after a breakout season they should be a serious contender. 

Many have high hopes for the 49ers and I understand why. They’re coming. I just don’t think they’re there yet. The Seahawks and Cardinals are going to take a major step back. Seattle still has the quarterback and coaching staff to keep them competitive, but it’s a transitional year for them. The clock is ticking for the Cardinals to when they’ll be transitioning from Sam Bradford to Josh Rosen. That’s all they really have to look forward to in 2018.

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