Our NFC West Preview 2019 notes that the Los Angeles Rams come to the table with a whole lot of offense. This NFC West Preview 2019 sees the Seattle Seahawks as being a worthy contender. The San Francisco 49ers are thin on both sides of the ball, while the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a major transition year with a brand-new NFL coach and shiny-new NFL quarterback. This team has a whole lot of growing to do. The West could certainly be the home of the next NFC title-winner. Then again, a few other teams will certainly have something to say about that.
NFC West Preview 2019 – Teams
Arizona Cardinals
The last time this team took first in the NFC West and went to the Super Bowl, a game they have never won, was 2008. In the last five seasons, the Cardinals have made the playoffs twice, however that was in 2014 and 2015. They have not been to the postseason in three years and last season finished last in the division. New head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the headman at Texas Tech who was fired, comes to the NFL with the reputation of being an offensive Houdini. Expect to see his odd and wacky formations and also expect to see 2019 number one draft pick Kyler Murray under center taking snaps. Can Murray, a dynamic playmaker, thrive in the NFL immediately? Kingsbury’s wide-open offense will give him the chance to do so.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have a potent offense for sure. QB Jared Goff is top-notch, and he has one of the best receiving groups in the league. Included in that group is Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp. Plus, running back Todd Gurley is a massive dual threat. If everyone stays healthy, these guys and coach Sean McVay will be tough to stop. Plus, the Rams have beefed up their defense, which, overall, was less than average last season. In the last two years, Los Angeles has been to the playoffs twice. In 2018, they made it to the Super Bowl when they defeated the Saints with huge help from a non-call. They lost to New England 3-13. Perhaps another New Orleans and LA Rams title game is in their future. If so, watch out for kismet.
San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo is back after recovering from torn ACL that took him out of last season. Exactly how good is Garoppolo? That’s tough to say. In five NFL seasons, with three of those as Tom Brady’s backup in New England, he the quarterback of record in 10 games. Eight of those games have been over the past two seasons as the 49ers QB. If he can get in a full season, we’ll have a better idea of what the 27-year-old signal caller is capable of. The other big question mark for this team is head coach Kyle Shanahan. In two seasons at the49er’s helm and in the NFL, he is 10-22. This season could be a proving ground for both of these guys.
Seattle Seahawks
Our NFC West Preview 2019 sees the Seahawks as benefitting from the progress that Russell Wilson has made as a NFL quarterback. He had a fine season last year, and head coach Pete Carroll, who starts his tenth season guiding the Hawks, has proven to be solid. Last season, the Seahawks put the best rush attack in the NFL on the field. If they can do that again and Wilson continues his level of play, this team will have a shot at the postseason. They do need their O-line to step up and their defense to be more productive.
NFC West Preview 2019 – Prediction
Our NFC West Preview 2019 predictions for the order of finish are below. The LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks are the teams to watch. Can 49ers will go as Jimmy G goes, while the team in Arizona has some rebuilding to do.
