The NFC is loaded with surprises throughout all four divisions. No one would have bet on the New York Giants being 6-1 or the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into week eight with a losing record, at 3-4. But are the Seattle Seahawks the biggest surprise of this NFL season so far? Can they maintain their hold on the number one spot in the NFC West?
The biggest shocker so far of the 2022 NFL season has to be the resurgence of Geno Smith and the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks. After the trade of Russell Wilson, that’s a whole other story too, but most of the media and fans were questioning just how far in the NFC West basement would they fall.
After seven weeks of the NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks sit alone atop the NFC West, ahead of the LA Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals. I think what’s more surprising is the other three sporting losing records, not necessarily that the Seahawks are in first.
The LA Rams were embarrassed on national TV in the season opener by the Buffalo Bills and the question was, are the Rams that bad or the Bills that good? As the season has progressed, I think the answer is a little of both; however, can the Rams bounce back? There are huge question marks on the offensive line, and they desperately need to find another reliable target beyond Cooper Kupp.
Matthew Stafford has thrown only six touchdowns but has eight interceptions. Kupp has more than 20 receptions more than the number two, which is tight end Tyler Higbee. Off-season free agent acquisition Allen Robinson is averaging less than three receptions and neither running back, Cam Akers nor Darrell Henderson, is averaging more than four yards per carry.
The San Francisco 49ers are sitting at 3- 4 and just recently made a massive trade to acquire stud running back Christian McCaffrey but that didn’t help them against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was their “number one” defense that got ripped apart by Patrick Mahomes but he does that to a lot of teams. They’ve lost to the Bears and Broncos, two very underwhelming teams, and got blown out by the Chiefs. Are the 49ers that team we thought they would be this off-season?
The Arizona Cardinals weren’t considered the class of the division but they shouldn’t be in the basement either. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ offense have been fine but there are still questions about Murray and if he can lead this team. The Cardinals’ defense has not been good either. Only three other teams in the NFC have allowed more points than the Cardinals.
Arizona also lost Marquise Brown, but they gained DeAndre Hopkins. Brown is likely to be out for at least a month. The Arizona offense put up 42 points against the Saints and picked up their third win of the season.
The division is wide open and I’m not sure the Seahawks can maintain their number one position but the three teams below the Seahawks have serious questions. If the Rams can’t figure out how to protect Stafford and get a run game going, they will struggle all season. If the 49ers can’t get much better play from Jimmy G, they may not be able to get on track. The Arizona Cardinals are going to have to try to put up 30+ every game if they hope to stay in the race.
Here’s the thing with the Seahawks — yes, they are the only team with a winning record in the division, but those four wins came against the Broncos, Lions, Cardinals, and Chargers. Only the Chargers of that group have a winning record, but they can’t seem to stop too many offenses, which was a problem last season.
My guess is the 49ers will rise to the top. While their defense was dominated by the Chiefs on Sunday, they are still a solid unit. Plus, the addition of McCaffrey will provide Jimmy G. an outlet in the passing game when the pass rush gets to him, plus McCaffrey will provide a boost to an already very good rushing attack.