2022 NFC West preview

Story posted September 7, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Derek Bast

Three of the four NFC West teams made the playoffs last season and the Seattle Seahawks were only two wins away from making it a clean sweep for the division. 

While it is expected for Pete Carroll’s group to take a big step back this season with quarterback Russell Wilson moving to Denver, the other three teams have a legitimate shot to return to the postseason in 2022. 

The obvious favorite has to be the defending champions, the Los Angeles Rams, who managed to bring back most of their starters while also acquiring linebacker Bobby Wagner and wide receiver Allen Robinson in free agency. 

The Rams will have plenty of competition from the San Francisco 49ers, who were a dropped interception away from replacing the Rams in the Super Bowl. 

The Arizona Cardinals look to be a threat as well after extending star quarterback Kyler Murray to a five-year deal worth $230.5 million. 

These three contending teams will face brutal schedules in 2022, as the Rams and Cardinals rank first and second in strength of schedule, while the 49ers currently sit tied for fifth.

The biggest change for these teams is the change at quarterback for the 49ers. Coach Kyle Shanahan is putting his trust in Trey Lance, the second-year quarterback from North Dakota State who went No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Shanahan is hoping Lance’s rocket arm and additional mobility will be the difference to help his team get past the Rams this season and bring home the sixth Lombardi Trophy for their iconic franchise. 

While I don’t see him being ready enough to bring home a championship in his first season as a starter, I do believe Lance will carry this exceptional roster to a division crown in 2022. 

There are too many red flags in my eyes for the star-studded Rams, between quarterback Matthew Stafford’s injured elbow, the drama with coach Sean McVay and defensive tackle Aaron Donald debating returning this offseason and the seemingly annual struggles from reigning champions in the NFL. 

Don’t count out the Cardinals, either. 

They started out 7-0 last season for a reason and have all the firepower in the world to put up points with anyone in the league this year. 

As for my final predictions, I have the NFC West playing out like this. 

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Los Angeles Rams

3. Arizona Cardinals 

4. Seattle Seahawks

Derek Bast is a senior majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, please email dmb6699@psu.edu.