2020 Standings:
1. Seattle Seahawks, 12-4
2. Los Angeles Rams, 10-6
3. Arizona Cardinals, 8-8
4. San Francisco 49ers, 6-10
2021 Outlook:
Los Angeles Rams:
The Rams made solid playoff push this last year, ultimately falling to the Packers in the Divisional round. Prior, they finished 22nd in points scored and 11th in yards gained on offense, while posting stout numbers on defense finishing 1st in both points and yards allowed. They made perhaps one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, trading for the former number one overall pick, Matt Stafford. Stafford pairs with McVay who hopes to unleash the former Georgia Bulldog in ways he hasn’t played prior. After trading away most of their picks, and staying tight against the cap, the team had few other key additions. Drafting Tutu Atwell, the undersized WR from Louisville, is one of the only other noteworthy moves. The hope is the addition of Stafford will offset the losses elsewhere (S John Johnson, WR Josh Reynolds, TE Gerald Everett, etc.) Only time will tell how the story unfolds for the Rams.
Seattle Seahawks:
Seattle had another playoff exit this season, which was followed by Russell Wilson trade rumors. Both sides worked together to settle their differences, and now look to build off a season that saw the Seahawks finish 8th in points and 17th in yards gainedoffensively and 15th in points allowed/22nd in yards alloweddefensively. The team brought back Chris Carson, and drafted WR Dwayne Eskridge to pair with the other present offensive weapons. In the Oakland fire sale, John Schneider was able to acquire G Gabe Jackson to help create stability along the O-Line. Defensively, other than day 3 draft picks, they are mostly taking a run it back approach minus Shaq Griffin who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars squad. As long as Russ is running the offense, it’s hard to imagine Seattle missing the playoffs as the team looks to add another Lombardi to their trophy case.
Arizona Cardinals:
After a blazing hot start, the Cardinals cooled off finishing in the middle of the pack. It feels like a do or die season for KliffKingsbury and company as the team finished 13th in points for and 6 in yards gained on offense, and 12th in points allowed and 16th in yards allowed on defense. The team acquired JJ Watt to pair with a healthy Chandler Jones. In the secondary, they lost franchise icon Patrick Peterson, but signed Malcolm Butler to help ease the loss. Rookie Zaven Collins will pair with second year LB Isaiah Simmons to help round out their stout defense. Offensively, Kenyan Drake departed for Las Vegas, as the team brought in James Connor to pair with speedster Chase Edmonds in the backfield. The team also went all in at receiver, signing AJ Green and drafting the versatile Rondale Moore. The Cardinals also capitalized on the Vegas fire sale, bringing in C Rodney Hudson. Arizona has made sweeping changes, in hopes to make a title push in 2021. Hopefully playoffs are on the horizon, otherwise we may see Kingsbury’s seat get even hotter.
San Francisco 49ers:
After a season decimated by injury, the Niners floundered the remainder of the year and finished at the bottom of the NFC West. The Shanahan led squad finished 21st in points for and 15thin yards gained on offense, and 17th in points allowed and 5th in yards allowed on defense. Decimated may have been an understatement as the team was missing quality starters such as Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, and Jimmy Garropolo for all or part of the year. In possibly one of the biggest shake up’s this offseason. GM John Lynch made the play to trade up and get their QB of the future, trading their first-round pick plus additional future capital. They end up selecting Trey Lance, who was an FBS QB stand out with high potential. The team re-signed bookend Trent Williams, and Cornerback Jason Verrett. The last key moves this offseason was the drafting of Trey Sermon, to help support the oft injured Raheem Mostert. The team has insisted that Jimmy G will remain the signal caller for the foreseeable future in 2021, but the team seems to be banking on the lightning in a bottle they captured in their Super Bowl two years prior.
2021 Record Prediction:
1. San Francisco 49ers, 15-2
2. Arizona Cardinals, 12-5
3. Los Angeles Rams, 11-6
4. Seattle Seahawks, 10-7
The 49ers, we project, prove that last year was an anomaly by dominating the West in 2021. Whether Trey Lance sees the field or not, the Shanahan system proves it is fool-proof, and first-time coordinator DeMeco Ryans capably replaces Robert Salah. Its time to put up or shut up for Arizona, and I think they are up to the task. If JJ Watt can be half of what he used to be, he’ll be a huge asset opposite Chandler Jones (if he can be retained). The Kingsbury system also finally comes together with Kyler at the helm, and they prove they are one of the top units in the NFL. The Rams finish with an above average 11 wins, but not quite near the hype train everyone has them on. Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll, and the rest of Seattle can wake up and win 10 games each year and we project them to do just that. The interesting part of this division is that with the expanded format all three non-division winners get in as wild cards.
2021 Division Awards:
MVP/Offensive Player of the Year: Kyler Murray
Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Trey Sermon
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Zaven Collins
Comeback Player of the Year: Chandler Jones
I believe whoever is the signal caller for San Fran will not get the due they deserve, and therefore division MVP goes to Kyler Murray (along with Offensive POY). He had a solid campaign before dealing with nagging injuries, and with Kliff and company having their backs against the wall they really show what they are made of. Nick Bosa in a similar situation comes back from injury and helps lead an extremely stout defense, especially with the 49ers favorable schedule (due to taking 4thlast year). In this division, I don’t foresee there being a lot of impactful rookies outside of Zaven Collins, who should man Arizona’s Mike Backer spot day 1. Trey Sermon is my pick for Offensive ROY, I don’t believe Trey Lance will start enough games to qualify, and the rest of the division is lacking impact offensive rookies. Sermon could push Raheem Mostert for carries very early in the friendly Shanahan offense.
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