NFC West preview: Can Christian McCaffrey’s 49ers go worst to first with better injury luck?

A capsule look at the NFC West heading into the 2025 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.

Los Angeles Rams

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 20-1; Over-under win total: 9.5

Strengths: After Cooper Kupp’s production started to decline, the Rams swapped him out with Davante Adams this offseason, remodeling a stellar receiver room around Puka Nacua. Coach Sean McVay makes it difficult to bet against the Rams, who won this division last year, punked a 14-win Vikings team in the playoffs and gave eventual champion Philadelphia a better fight than anyone else.

Weaknesses: Throwing to Nacua and Adams is Matthew Stafford, who is capable of being one of the best pocket passers in the league. He’s also 37 years old, increasingly prone to bouts of inconsistency and limited in his mobility. Aging quarterbacks are always susceptible to dramatic decline. When they do, they can take an entire team with them.

San Francisco 49ers

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 20-1; Over-under win total: 10.5

Strengths: Kyle Shanahan has the coaching pedigree and top-end talent at his disposal to prove 2024 was a nightmare anomaly. Christian McCaffrey, one of the NFL’s most versatile backfield weapons, is back after an injury-spoiled season. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) should eventually return. And future Hall of Fame tight end George Kittle hasn’t shown any signs of decline. Nick Bosa is an unstoppable force in the pass rush and now reunited with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Weaknesses: Medical history. Niners fans will be holding their breath whenever their stars have the ball because of how last season spiraled. McCaffrey played four games. Aiyuk played seven. A team that was agonizingly close to winning the 2024 Super Bowl suddenly resided in the NFC West cellar. Scrutiny surrounds their run defense as well, but the 49ers aren’t getting anywhere without better injury luck to support quarterback Brock Purdy.

Seattle Seahawks

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 60-1; Over-under win total: 7.5

Strengths: It might not be Legion of Boom, but the Seahawks could be rolling out one of the NFC’s most potent defenses, led by Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed up front. Safety Julian Love and cornerback Devon Witherspoon are proven stalwarts. With a defensive-minded head coach in Mike Macdonald and a unit that looks mostly the same after finishing strong last season, Seattle’s playoff hopes rest on his side of the ball.

Weaknesses: The offensive line remains an existential threat. Sam Darnold is a true wild card replacement for Geno Smith at QB. He’s trying to beat the one-hit wonder allegations that followed him from Minnesota ever since his playoff dud. And Seattle is betting on the ex-Rams receiver Cupp to return to form instead of continuing a downward trajectory, following the losses of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Arizona Cardinals

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 50-1; Over-under win total: 8.5

Strengths: Arizona has an elite tight end in CSU’s Trey McBride, a formidable rushing attack led by James Conner and an improved defensive line with offseason acquisitions Dalvin Tomlinson, Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell. There’s a lot to build on after an 8-9 season, especially with the star potential of second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Weaknesses: The Cardinals ranked bottom 10 in yards allowed per pass attempt and per rush attempt last year. Their linebacker room remains lackluster. They’re also going to be confronted with questions about what their ceiling is realistically with Kyler Murray at quarterback, despite how much he progressed last year.

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