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1. Los Angeles Rams: I truly didn’t know what I’d get from them because since they won the Super Bowl in 2021-22, they’ve missed the playoffs and have also returned to the postseason along with losing Aaron Donald to retirement. If I can be honest, I wasn’t worried about the Rams offense, especially with Sean McVay who’s become one of the best offensive minds in the sport, it was the defense that had my attention because they were losing one of the all-time great defenders and there’s no replacing Aaron. The Rams drafted Jared Verse, and he ended up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Rams defense in 2024 was my favorite to watch because they’re all very young and play so well together as a team. L.A. won the division for the first time since 2021 and were a red zone conversion away from upsetting the Eagles in the playoffs. With the moves they made this off-season, they should be entertaining to watch again.
2. Seattle Seahawks: It was a new chapter of Seattle Seahawks football last year as Mike Macdonald came over from Baltimore and was hired as their next Head Coach and replaced Pete Carroll. In Mike’s first year at the helm, the Seahawks had their ups and downs, but somehow managed to win ten games and missed the playoffs becoming the first team since the 2020 Miami Dolphins to win at least ten games and miss the playoffs. For a team that’s had such a strong home-field advantage, they struggled in front of the 12’s surprisingly going 3-6 in Seattle. Their offense this year will have a much different look as there’s no Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett and Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb are all gone, but the team did sign Sam Darnold and also added Cooper Kupp from the rival Los Angeles Rams and if he can stay healthy, this will be a steal. The Seattle defense will remain stout this year under Macdonald’s scheme.
3. Arizona Cardinals: There has been steady growth within this franchise. Since Jonathan Gannon took over as the Head Coach in 2023, the first thing to check off the list was to create an identity and culture. A healthy Kyler Murray is so much fun to watch and he’s one of the more exciting players to see on the field with his ability to scramble and make those throws on the run and when he’s in the zone, he’s tough for defenses to contain. Kyler admitted he was hampered by a knee injury which resulted in lower carries per game, but when he’s in the zone using his dual threat mobilities, it’s a treat for the fans. What does Marvin Harrison Jr do in year two? Also, James Conner continues to quietly put up strong numbers as Running Back One. The Cardinals added some pieces to their defense such as Josh Sweat, the former Eagle who played for Gannon when he was running the Eagles defense and Calais Campbell is back for one more year.
4. San Francisco 49ers: It’s time to admit it… the window is closed, the Super Bowl window that is. I’ve said it for years and will say it again, when they are healthy and have everything clicking on all cylinders, they are one of the toughest outs and there’s not a single team in the NFC that can beat them and their only downfall has been health. For a majority of last year, they were without Christian McCaffrey who was dealing with injuries throughout the year. When the 49ers drafted Ricky Pearsall last year, that’s when I knew Deebo Samuel was on the way out of town and look what happened. This off-season, the 49ers also resigned Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Fred Warner to contract extensions. Robert Saleh returns to run the San Francisco defense once again and inherits a unit whose run defense was terrible last year. If the 49ers remain healthy, this is a playoff team.
2025 Predictions
1. Rams (11-6)
2. 49ers (10-7)
3. Seahawks (9-8)
4. Cardinals (6-11)
I’m picking the Rams to win this division once again. I will say this is a very intriguing division of Quarterbacks with Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford, and out of the four of them, I trust Matthew the most. This could be a special offense under Sean McVay this year with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as a tandem. This is the best all-around offense in the division and they will be tough for any defense on their schedule this year. Also, the defense is still young, but they have a full year of experience under their belts and I can’t wait to see how they grow as a unit this year. Regarding the other three teams, can San Francisco remain healthy? That’s one thing to watch, what version of Sam Darnold will we get this time around in Seattle and can Kyler Murray stay healthy and on the field? Those are three key things to pay attention too.
