2019 NFL predictions: How will the NFC shake out?
- Seattle Seahawks 11-5
- Los Angeles Rams 10-6
- San Francisco 49ers 8-8
- Arizona Cardinals 4-12
Russell Wilson is easily the best quarterback in the NFC West and he has an exciting new wide receiver to throw to this season. The Seahawks drafted D.K. Metcalf at the end of the second round in the 2019 NFL draft, while many in the draft community expected him to go in the first. Metcalf and Lockett together gives Wilson a potentially dynamic duo to work with.
Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny also bring a solid duo to the running back room. The Seahawks traded away a top defensive end in Frank Clark but ended up selecting his replacement, L.J. Collier, in this year’s NFL draft. Collier will not be as impactful as Clark right away, but he may have more long-term value.
The Rams represented the NFC in the Super Bowl a year ago, and while there is still a lot of talent on this roster, I don’t think they have the same success in 2019. Most teams that lose the Super Bowl failed to make the playoffs the next season. I don’t think the Rams miss the playoffs but I see them losing in the wildcard round.
Todd Gurley’s health is a major concern. Also, can Jared Goff keep progressing to be their franchise quarterback? I believe he’s an average quarterback and once they lose their veteran defensive talent, he won’t be able to keep this team in the playoffs.
The 49ers can be one of the teams who improve the most from last season. A healthy Jimmy Garoppolo gives them a chance to make the playoffs as he looked strong to finish out the 2017 season. Also, I really like the one, two, three punch of Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida. The 49ers have a lot of young playmakers that makes this team fun to watch. Players to watch shine this year will be Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Nick Bosa.
The Arizona Cardinals went from Josh Rosen at quarterback and Steve Wilks at head coach last year to having Kyler Murray at quarterback and Kliff Kingsbury as head coach. The whole culture of the team has been changed from a year ago and should be more entertaining to watch with Kingsbury’s air raid offense. Unfortunately, they still have offensive line and defense issues and I don’t see them winning many games this year in a stacked NFC West.