NFC West preview: Will the Arizona Cardinals finally make some noise?
The race in the NFC West is wide open. Every coach in the division has talked about their goal of winning the NFC West during training camp, and all of them have a legitimate shot to get it done.
Who can take advantage of a wide-open race?
One look at the 2024 season standings and you can see why. The NFL had to use “strength of victory,” the fourth tie-breaking procedure, to award the title to the Los Angeles Rams over the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams upset the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The X-factor for the NFC West this season may be the Arizona Cardinals. They led the division in scoring and finished second in points allowed a season ago. The front office signed free agents Josh Sweat and future Hall of Famer Calais Campbell to improve that defense, and used the first five picks in the draft on that side of the ball.
On offense, quarterback Kyler Murray is 100% healthy and will be mobile. Michael Wilson said that it will only benefit the receiver group.
“Just stating objective facts –– I think the last two years we’ve been sort of on the bottom tier of generating explosives in the passing game,” Wilson said. “So that’s going to be an emphasis for our receiver core, is not only getting vertical and being a threat downfield but also getting YAC (yards after catch) yards.”
How does Matthew Stafford’s injury affect the race?
Matthew Stafford has yet to practice for the Rams with an injured back he suffered during a workout early in training camp. Los Angeles signed veteran receiver Davante Adams in the offseason to help Stafford, but the two have yet to work together. Head coach Sean McVay said, despite that, there’s no urgency to rush him back right now.
“Let’s keep a positive mindset and let’s continue to attack this thing to try to be able to get our hands around it so that he can feel as good as possible when we open up against Houston,” McVay said. “I do think it’s important to be able to get some work in, you know, but not at the expense of following the plan that we’ve talked about. I think the truest thing is to stay one day at a time.”
Will the Seahawks and Niners be a factor?
It’s one day at a time for the San Francisco 49ers as well. Their receiver room is in a bit of disarray. Deebo Samuel is gone. Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are both injured, and Jennings wants a new contract.
At least the defense is ready to rebound. The team lost several stars to free agency, but like the Cardinals, used their first five draft picks to draft defensive players. They also brought back former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh to be the defensive coordinator.
In Seattle, the best defense in the division is ready to take the next step. Fans in the Pacific Northwest wonder if new quarterback Sam Darnold will be able to match them. Darnold takes over for the departed Geno Smith and will rely on the run game to balance things.
Steady veteran receiver Cooper Kupp, who came over from the Rams, will be a security blanket, but it’s third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba who could be the game breaker.
Who are some of the division’s possible breakout stars?
Smith-Njigba led the team in receptions and receiving yards last year; now he’s number one with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett gone.
The Rams are hoping for a big season from running back Kyren Williams, especially if Stafford’s injury lingers into the regular season.
Rookie or not, the Niners will lean on number one pick Mykel Williams from Georgia to provide a pass rush they sorely missed last year.
If the Cardinals are going to make a charge to the top of the division, the fourth overall pick from a year ago, Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr., will need to produce at least 1,000 yards receiving and double-digit touchdowns.
With all the unknowns, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the West were another roller coaster ride that saw all four teams in contention for the title at some point during the season.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
