NFL Picks 2022: Predicting every division ahead of the 2022 season

NFC West NFL Picks for the 2022 Season

1. San Francisco 49ers

It’s easy to forget that the 49ers were in the NFL’s final four last year. As a matter of fact, they’ve been there two of the last three years, and the roster just keeps getting better. Trey Lance is certainly a wild card, but I think there could be a slight Super Bowl hangover for the Rams and the 49ers are too talented not to be at the top of this division.

2. Los Angeles Rams

Like I said, a little Super Bowl hangover here. The Rams are still a very good team and I think they’ll be a well-oiled machine offensively, but who is bringing pressure off the edge? Aaron Donald can do a lot of the heavy lifting, but he can’t do it all. The loss of Von Miller looms large for this team in 2022. The reality is this roster just isn’t as good as the one that won a Super Bowl. That’s a tough ask of any Super Bowl winner any year. I still think the Rams will be a playoff team in 2022.

3. Arizona Cardinals

To me, the Arizona Cardinals might be one of the biggest pretenders in the NFC. They got off to a hot start last year and couldn’t put anything together down the stretch. It wouldn’t shock me to see them as a slightly surprising playoff omission in 2022 with DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension proving costly over the long haul as well as just an underwhelming pass rush unit.

4. Seattle Seahawks

The trade of Russell Wilson has put the Seattle Seahawks firmly in rebuilding mode. Geno Smith is the opening day starter and while Seattle is talented enough offensively to win a handful of games this season, I think there’s just way too much work to be done on this roster to get anything over six or seven wins, and that may be generous.