NFL Win Total Predictions: NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: 8.0 wins – Under
When running projections for the 2021 NFL season, I came up with 8-9 for the Cardinals. Their offseason additions just feel a lot more like name-brand signings that are less substantive than they appear in headlines. On top of that, belief in Kliff Kingsbury is waning.
But if we’re picking over or under, those aspects lead me to think that the under is more likely. There are still plenty of flaws on this roster and, on top of that, this division is a monster and the Cards still look like the fourth-best team in the NFC West.
Los Angeles Rams: 10.5 wins – Over
Much like with the Rams, I’m all-in on what the Rams have going for them in the 2021 season. You can’t overstate the upgrade from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay has basically said as much all offseason. Furthermore, the defense proved it can be a top unit with the stars-and-scrubs approach.
This shouldn’t just be a team that can easily win 11 games and win the division — this is a Rams team that should be thinking about winning a Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers: 10.5 wins – Over
If there’s one team that could keep the Rams from taking the NFC West, though, it’s the 49ers. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance at any point this year. This offense can thrive no matter who is under center and, if Lance wins that job, that raises the ceiling further. Any trepidation comes from the health and consistency of the defense now that Robert Saleh is gone. But all told, the Niners should rebound in a monster way now that they’re healthy and reloaded.
Seattle Seahawks: 10.0 wins – Under
Similar to the Cardinals, I had the Seahawks coming in right on this number at 10-7. Unfortunately, we have to choose a side here and, as nervous as Russell Wilson makes me in doing this, that makes me lean the under.
You can always point to the offensive line with Seattle but the bigger worry is the defense. This unit has big, big questions up front and in the secondary that there aren’t readymade answers for. If they don’t find them, this could be a disappointing year by Seattle’s standards.