This is arguably the best conference in the NFC. All four teams have legitimate chances to make a playoff run. It is a division that have quarterbacks that range from great to good. Most teams have star players at receiver and there are elite players scattered at every position group on defense. It will come down to who can beat who when they tangle head-to-head.
Ranking the Position Groups and Coaches:
Quarterback: 1. Seattle, 2. LA Rams, 3. Arizona, 4. 49ers
Running Backs: I know this is a cop-out but there isn’t much difference in any of them
Receivers: 1. Arizona, 2. Seattle, 3. 49ers, 4. LA Rams
Offensive Line: 1. 49ers, 2. LA Rams, 3. Arizona, 4. Seattle
Defensive Line: LA Rams, 2. 49ers, 3. Seattle, 4. Arizona
Linebackers: 1. 49ers, 2. Seattle, 3. Arizona, 4. LA Rams
Secondary: 1. LA Rams, 49ers, Seattle, Arizona
Coaches: 1. Seattle, 2. 49ers, 3. LA Rams, Arizona
The Seahawks return Russell Wilson who was unhappy this offseason with the direction the offense was going. They are hoping they have smoothed that over. They are coming off a 12-5 season achieved in a very difficult division and seem to forget that. That’s what a playoff loss at home to the hated Rams will do to you. Look for them to be ready to roll.
Speaking of the Rams, they made the biggest move in the division this offseason by acquiring veteran quarterback Matt Stafford in exchange for Jared Goff. Can he bring some extra production to the Rams’ offense? Stafford has never played on a complete team before so it will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
The 49ers stumbled to a 6-10 record in 2020 as they were ravaged with injuries to several key players. They are a popular pick to bounce back and make the playoffs but there are questions in the quarterback room.
That leaves the Cardinals who had an opportunity to make the playoffs last year but injuries to dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray derailed them. Coach Kliff Kingsbury is feeling some heat for some questionable decisions and the Cardinals need a big year to hold off the wolves from Kingsbury.
