The NFC West is one of the toughest divisions in football. It features some of the best quarterbacks, best coaches, and best playmakers in the NFL. In today’s article, I’m going to preview the NFC West, as well as some players to watch this season. Buckle up because it’s going to get rowdy in the wild, wild west.
Seahawks Stocking Up For Super Bowl Run
2021 is a significant season for the Seahawks. It is potentially the last season of Russell Wilson leading the way at quarterback, which is frightening. However, talent-wise, this team is up there with some of the best teams in the NFL.
One of their key offseason additions for the Hawks is a coach. Shane Waldron, the former passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, is the new offensive coordinator for the Seahawks this season. He will bring new passing concepts to help Wilson and the Seahawks, especially in the play-action game. Adding Waldron to the mix is a step in the right direction for a team that struggled offensively down the stretch last season.
While there are plenty of names to watch on the Seahawks this year, I’m going to say Jordyn Brooks is someone you need to know. The 23-year-old is entering his second season after being drafted 27th overall by Seattle in 2020. He fits the profile of a Seahawks linebacker and will get an increased role barring K.J. Wright re-signing with Seattle. Don’t be surprised if Brooks becomes the next standout linebacker in the NFL after another full year on defense.
Rams Rolling Through NFC West?
It is a revenge season of sorts for the Rams. They didn’t win the NFC West last year while falling miserably to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round. So, don’t be surprised if redemption is on the mind for Sean McVay and the Rams.
The big move over the offseason for the Rams is the addition of Matthew Stafford at quarterback. He is coming off a 4,000-yard season with the Detroit Lions and is still under contract for two more years. That means, at age 33, Stafford fits perfectly with the Rams window of winning right now. He will enjoy both the fit and the weapons at his disposal, as well as the California weather.
My player to watch on the Rams this season is Sebastian Joseph-Day. He is the starting nose tackle and is going through his third defensive coordinator in as many seasons. Formerly a sixth-round pick from Rutgers, Joseph-Day is trying to improve his pass-rush technique while learning under new DC Raheem Morris. As someone who’s missed just one game in the last two years and is entering a contract year, I’m excited to watch him develop even more this season.
49ers Looking to Challenge for Playoff Spot
Speaking of teams seeking revenge, the 49ers are coming off a rough 2020 season. After making the Super Bowl the year before, San Francisco only won six games last year, including beating the Rams twice. Now, with a potentially new quarterback leading the way, the 49ers will be pushing for a playoff spot.
The biggest story revolving around the 49ers this preseason is the starting quarterback. GM Jon Lynch traded up to select Trey Lance from North Dakota third overall at the past NFL Draft. Now, with Jimmy Garoppolo still under contract for two more seasons, the quarterback situation is a bit muddy in San Francisco. I believe Lance gives you the best chance at winning, and I would start him in Week 1.
A player to keep an eye on for San Francisco is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. In 11 starts as a rookie last season, he had 66 touches, over 800 total yards, and seven total touchdowns. Although he has to share targets with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, I’m excited to see Aiyuk’s progress in 2021. No matter if it is Trey Lance or Jimmy G throwing him the ball for most of the season.
Cardinals at a Crossroads in NFC West
It is a critical season for the Arizona Cardinals. After a busy offseason, a lot is on the line for GM Steve Keim and Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury. Notable additions to this team include J.J. Watt, A.J. Green, and James Conner. So, yes, Keim and the Cardinals have been active.
It is hard to picture a pathway to the playoffs for the Cardinals. For Arizona to have a successful season, they need Kyler Murray to have 5,000 combined yards and 40 touchdowns. An almost MVP-like season would do wonders for both him and his team. With the additions this team has made on offense, there’s no reason why he can’t have a great season. Murray is a dark-horse MVP candidate this season if you are interested in making that kind of bet.
Speaking of additions on offense, Rodney Hudson is the new starting center for the Cardinals. He is the best center in the NFL right now, according to PFF, and will cement Arizona’s offensive line for the next couple of seasons. It’s one of my favorite moves in the offseason, and I can’t wait to see how he fits in with the Cardinals. No one is more thankful this trade happen than Kyler Murray, let me tell you.
Conclusion
I am excited for another year of the NFC West. It will be one of the toughest divisions in football for 2021 and anything can happen. I would love for my Seahawks to win the division, but it’s easy to see LA, San Fran, or even Arizona come out on top. So much great stuff ahead of us!
Our final 2021 NFL divisional preview comes out next as we look at the AFC West. Be sure to check out the rest of our preview articles, including: