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In arguably the hardest division in the NFL, two teams have emerged as not just potential winners of the NFC West, but as potential candidates to lift the Lombardi trophy In February. However, the question remains: Can the Seahawks go back-to-back or will the Rams take back the NFC West?
The Rams won the offseason with their defensive additions in defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Trent McDuffie. But the biggest win came from the return of four-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement to play alongside Garrett in Los Angeles.
However, the reigning Super Bowl champions make a strong case to win a second consecutive NFC West title. Returning quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba make a strong case to keep the hardware for a second year in a row.
Here’s how all three First Things First co-hosts’ predictions for the NFC West this season.
Nick Wright’s NFC West Predictions:
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Nick Wright elected for a repeat NFC West title for the Seattle Seahawks, followed by the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in last.
Even with the loss of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Wright says the Seahawks are still in position to be a 14-win team led by quarterback Sam Darnold.
“They’re going to go 14-3. Aside from losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, which is a massive loss, I don’t know why they wouldn’t be awesome again,” Wright said on Tuesday’s edition of First Things First. “They were dominant all of last year…Do we see post-Super Bowl win, a free Sam Darnold where he’s actually better than we’ve ever seen him before? It’s certainly on the board.”
As the Seahawks rebuild at running back, the Rams are a team whose additions make them one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. However, Wright said LA is due for an 11-6 record and won’t be ‘quite as good as everyone expects them to be.’
Wright placed the 49ers in third because of last season’s injury overhaul, the overuse of running back Christian McCaffrey and the departure of their former defensive coordinator.
“So many injuries. I don’t trust the wide receivers. I think they will miss Robert Saleh. They pressed the CMC button so many times last year,” Wright said.
Which leaves Arizona in last place, according to Wright. The Cardinals closed out their 2025 campaign with a 3-14 record, and could be set up to repeat the record this season.
“They’re going 3-14. They might be the worst team in the league, and they definitely have the toughest schedule in the league,” Wright said.
Chris Broussard’s NFC West Predictions:
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Chris Broussard went a different direction and chose the Rams as his NFC West favorites. The Rams have had an eventful offseason with the addition of star defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett.
When it came to putting the Super Bowl champions in second, Broussard made his point about where they could be after the big win.
“I still have them making the playoffs. I just think they’re not going to be quite as good as last year. I think it’s kind of natural. Macdonald is great. They just won a Super Bowl,” Broussard said.
When talking about the 49ers, who came in third on Broussard’s list, the amount of injuries and the departure of former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is a big reason Broussard did not make them a playoff team.
“Half the team is hurt. And I don’t have them in the postseason. I would be pleasantly surprised if Brock (Purdy) went out there and cooked…I agree with Nick, they’re going to miss Saleh. He kept that defense together last year,” Broussard said.
While Broussard placed the Arizona Cardinals last, he tabbed rookie Jeremiyah Love as someone to watch on Arizona’s roster this fall.
“We all know who’s finishing last, the Arizona Cardinals. I do want to see what Jeremiyah Love does,” Broussard said.
Danny Parkins’ NFC West Predictions:
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Danny Parkins followed similar suit of Wright’s picks, placing the Seahawks first. Parkins’ reasoning for Seattle’s first place prediction comes from being overlooked because they won a Super Bowl.
“I think everyone is continuing to overlook a Super Bowl team that blew out the 49ers in their playoff game. Blew out the Patriots in the Super Bowl,” Parkins said. “I have the Seahawks being the forgotten champion and running it back.”
The Rams were labeled as Parkins’ “super team,” which was only reinforced after Los Angeles traded for Myles Garrett, which led to Aaron Donald returning along with a returning Matthew Stafford.
As the 49ers also come in third place on Parkins’ list, the difference he made is his prediction that San Francisco will make the playoffs.
“The San Francisco 49ers, I have them making the playoffs,” Parkins said. “They won 12 games, and basically everything went wrong…it’s been a weird offseason, but they also added Mike Evans. They were the third most injured team last year, and they won 12 games.”
San Francisco was without star defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. However, the 49ers managed to make their way to an NFC Divisional win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
As the Cardinals, once again, fell last place in the predictions, Parkins did not count out offensive stars like Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiyah Love and Trey McBride. However, it’s not enough.
“I like a few of the players on the Cardinals. I do think Marvin Harrison is in line for a good year. I think McBride is excellent. Jeremiyah Love is excellent. The problem is, everything else.”
Fresno State at No. 14 USC
Oregon State at No. 23 Houston
Boise State at No. 2 Oregon
Washington State at No. 17 Washington
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