Error code: %{errorCode}
NFC West 2025 Preview: Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers
2024 was the NFC West’s worst season in five years.
The Rams were the division's only representative in the postseason, the 49ers weren’t themselves, and the Cardinals and the Seahawks were the only teams with a positive point differential. No team was above .500 against NFC opponents.
DAZN News Gavin Babbitt breaks down the NFC West and predicts the final standings.
Los Angeles Rams
DAZN BET Division Odds: 7/4
2024 Record: 10-7
The Rams were awarded the fourth seed in the NFC on a tiebreaker last season. They advanced in the wild card round and lost to the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the divisional round.
Matthew Stafford has returned to practice from a back issue. With Cooper Kupp leaving in free agency, the team signed Davante Adams . This, again, gives Stafford two excellent receivers.
Puka Nacua has yet to receive less than 100 targets in either of his NFL seasons and will be Stafford’s top mark. Adams has more than 100 career touchdowns and should help the Rams improve on what was a bottom-10 finish in red zone conversion rate last season.
Brandon Sloter/Getty Images
Kyren Williams is solidified as Rams’ feature back. He has 26 rushing touchdowns over the last two years and will continue to score with the Rams retaining their starting offensive line.
The Rams added to an above-average defensive line this offseason. Jared Verse is joined by the run-stopping Poona Ford via free agency and third-round pick Josaiah Stewart on the edge. This trio, along with Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, who combined for 17 sacks last year, make for a dangerous pass rush.
The Rams’ secondary must reduce touchdowns through the air, especially safety Kam Curl. Darious Williams and Cobie Durant are expected to start at corner coming off a combined two interceptions. This unit is the team’s weakness.
As long as Sean McVay is around, the Rams will be one of the league’s best-coached teams. They will compete for this division again. Look out for a hot streak in the second half of the schedule.
Seattle Seahawks
DAZN BET Division Odds: 11/2
2024 Record: 10-7
Last season was a roller coaster for Seattle. The Seahawks dropped five of six games between Weeks 4 and 9, then closed with four straight wins. It culminated in missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker with the Rams.
The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to start at quarterback after trading Geno Smith in March. This offense will have a new feel as DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are now elsewhere.
Seattle used its first-round pick on guard Grey Zabel . This offensive line’s progression is key to balancing out this scheme; Seattle was forced to throw all of last season. Keeping tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas healthy will open things up.
Darnold has two great slot receivers. Cooper Kupp signed in free agency this offseason. He is paired with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and both should be effective. Seattle needs an exterior threat. Rookie Tory Horton has had a good camp and will get the first shot at that role.
With health, Seattle has a true split backfield with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet . Both are physical, with Walker providing speed on the outside. They need a better push this season to get loose.
The Seahawks were good at rushing the passer last season. They will be better in 2025. DeMarcus Lawrence came over in free agency to join Leonard Williams and Derick Hall. This front seven limits gains on the ground, with Ernest Jones at linebacker and Jarran Reed at defensive tackle.
The Seattle secondary is dripping with talent. Devon Witherspoon plays physically and is excellent covering the slot. Riq Woolen is a good coverage corner and is backed by Julian Love at safety. The team selected safety Nick Emmanwori in the second round, adding depth and versatility on the back end.
The Seahawks’ defense can be one of the league’s best. Seattle needs its offense to run the ball better; if they can, they are division contenders.
Arizona Cardinals
DAZN BET Division Odds: 9/2
2024 Record: 8-9
The Cardinals were efficient offensively in 2024. However, the second half of their season was a failure, as they went 2-5 after their Week 11 bye. It was Arizona’s third straight year missing the playoffs.
Kyler Murray enters his seventh season with the Cardinals. Murray has a history of injuries and will throw more in this stage of his career.
Skill players Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride have the potential to help this offense become even more dynamic. Harrison needs more catch volume to reach his ceiling , and McBride must score in the red zone considering this offense struggled inside the 20 last season.
(Getty Images)
The Cardinals’ offensive line creates space for lead back James Conner consistently. Arizona was down Isaiah Adams and Jonah Williams on the right side for stretches of last year. With a healthy line, the run and pass game complement each other and raise the ceiling of this offense.
Defensively, Arizona looks quite different up front. Calais Campbell returns to Arizona with fellow newcomers Dalvin Tomlinson and Josh Sweat, all free agents. The Cardinals selected Walter Nolen in the first round to play the interior . Nolen is dealing with a calf injury and will miss the first four weeks, at minimum. This team should play the run and bring pressure at a higher level than last season.
The secondary of Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, rookie Will Johnson and Garrett Williams is poised to limit touchdowns through the air again. They are likely to force more turnovers with the improved pass-rush.
The Cardinals are a team to watch. They have potential to emerge as an NFC sleeper if they get a big season from Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison and the defensive front.
San Francisco 49ers
DAZN BET Division Odds: 6/4
2024 Record: 6-11
The 49ers played through injuries last season. Christian McCaffrey, Fred Warner, Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy all missed time. San Francisco won only one game in the division and finished with four straight losses.
Brock Purdy and George Kittle cemented themselves in the Bay after signing major extensions this offseason. The health of this offensive line is essential to quality quarterback play from Purdy, whose efficiency was down in 2024. Four of five linemen return.
Getty
Christian McCaffrey is one of few reliable options at the skill positions with San Francisco’s lack of depth at receiver. When McCaffrey is right, he’s arguably the most dynamic player in football. The 49ers added a good running back behind him in Brian Robinson. Keep an eye on McCaffrey’s health.
This pass-catching group is hard to track other than Kittle at tight end. Deebo Samuel is gone, Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from injury, Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract he hasn’t received, and Demarcus Robinson just received a three-game suspension. The team acquired Skyy Moore via trade . San Francisco will be leaning on him and Ricky Pearsall on the outside for now.
The 49ers drafted defensive linemen in rounds one and two: Mykel Williams on the edge in the first round and Alfred Collins at tackle in the second round. Bryce Huff was brought over in a trade from Philadelphia. These additions, with Nick Bosa, make a stout pass rush.
Fred Warner will have to pick up the slack in coverage with the loss of Dre Greenlaw. Dee Winters has the inside track to start alongside Warner , but must play well to keep rookie Nick Martin at bay.
Behind the linebackers is a young secondary that must prove they can hold down the back end.
The 49ers are well-coached but will lean on a different, younger group this season. These players must prove themselves for San Francisco to be dominant again. They are looking at a better win total with a soft schedule.
Summary
The NFC West is potentially the most balanced division from a competitive standpoint.
The 49ers have new players filling in key roles. The Rams will be a good team as long as Matthew Stafford holds up for another season this late in his career, but their secondary is vulnerable.
The Seahawks will have a good, maybe great, defense, but their offense is unproven. The Cardinals could be one of the league’s surprising teams. They overhauled their defense and with better execution in the passing game their offense could be promising.
Projected 2025 standings
- Rams: 10-7
- 49ers: 10-7
- Cardinals: 9-8
- Seahawks: 8-9
Watch the full NFL season on DAZN
Get every game of the NFL season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, with NFL Game Pass on DAZN worldwide (excluding US & China). That includes the NFL Network, RedZone and the Downs 2 Business NFL show.
