How The West Might Be Won and Done

The NFC West is leaving the 2025 season as the strongest division in the NFL. The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champions even though nobody wants to admit it, including them. The 49ers seem like they found a successful therapist to get rid of that drama they don’t need. The LA Rams are somehow strong, entertaining and powerful like the Expendables franchise. The Arizona Cardinals have a new look with an old, classic style of offense in doubling down on running the ball well.

Even though Matthew Stafford is the league MVP, all of the quarterbacks from the NFC West are like US Marshalls who seem like they are coming to town reluctantly as new sheriffs. Coming to just play cards, make some money on business, maybe dig for gold, and get the girl, the NFC West features a wild west show that is at least fun, if not elite.

The Rams are approaching the season like a team coming off an 8-9 record, which is fine given that even though they won, they may as well have lost that playoff game against the 8-9 Panthers. Carolina made themselves look strong and made the Rams seem wounded. Thus, they took an interesting long-term approach to the offseason, rather than falling for the temptation to fill a missing void with the myth thing piece that never gets found when teams think they’re closer than they are. The Rams understand that it is never one piece away from anything but a total disaster. They have to prepare for the need for change, because the league MVP will not last forever. That is a wise approach and a great opportunity to transform new growth into a winning formula most teams can only dream of finding.

The 49ers seem to want to restore some of the glorious success of their past without trying to allow old drama to interfere. They added Mike Evans and returned Dre Greenlaw. However, teams still trying too hard to depend on the same running back to carry the team is a potential disaster, no matter how well they take care of him. Christian McCafferey is elite but still injury prone. The formula has worked. But for how long? Still, it is worth it to count on how well Brock Purdy may grow, especially given the example set by division rival, Sam Darnold.

The Seahawks are the kind of Super Bowl champion movie watchers love. They are underdogs. The quarterback is on his last fat chance. The media doesn’t seem to pay attention to them. However, they lost some key pieces from the Super Bowl that may or may not be necessary for long term growth. Defensive teams that reach the highest game tend to struggle soon after the big moment. It may take one or two full seasons before any decline is noticeable. But, attention or not, everyone does have a big red target on the Seahawks once the regular season starts. The challenge of a repeat Super Bowl run may not be so unavailable. After all, the 2001 Patriots won the game two of the following three seasons with a defense-first culture. The Seahawks are in a good position for some success to excel over the next few seasons. However, they should be careful to understand they likely don’t have the dominant power that other dynasties may seem to have had. Don’t expect a formula of long-shot throws and excessive leaps. Do expect a loyal, united force holding together like a phalanx.

The Cardinals look like an offense that may hold it together. Health is a key factor for Marvin Harrison, Junior. The running game with Tyler Algier and Jeremiyah Love. James Connor is still a scary player in there as well. It may take some time for things to gel. But opponents should not consider them a “bye week”. The Cardinals have a long way to go. But Trey McBride is still home. The offense can give some problems. There is a lot of attention to how close to the playoffs the Cardinals were recently. They are not that close today on paper. But that is why they can sneak around everyone and break into the postseason anyway.