The NFC West standings last year could very well look the same in 2023, with the top two teams having a clear gap from the bottom two. This division used to be one of the most competitive but it doesn’t look that way anymore. It ranges from the best team here having Super Bowl aspirations to the worst team possibly having the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. The over/under projections for the NFC West are all over the place so let’s take a look at what these win totals could look like.
*Odds via FanDuel
NFL Over/Under Predictions: NFC West Edition
49ers (O/U 10.5)
The biggest threat to the Eagles in the NFC is the San Francisco 49ers. They hold the highest over/under win total in the conference behind Philadelphia after winning 13 games last season. With their appearance last year, the 49ers have made the NFC Championship Game in three of the last four years. They come into this season with Brock Purdy recovering from an arm injury, hoping he can capture the magic he displayed when he took over last season. With the big three of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey in a Kyle Shannahan offense, the 49ers will have no problem hitting the over. Oh and don’t forget, this elite defense added Javon Hargrave on top of already being led by Nick Bosa, who the 49ers believe will sign soon.
Prediction: Over (2023 win total: 13 wins)
Seahawks (O/U 8.5)
Last season, the Seattle Seahawks were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league but exceeded all expectations by winning nine games and making the playoffs. Geno Smith shocked the NFL world and won Comeback Player of the Year. Now coming into 2023, expectations seem to ly along the lines of what they looked like last year, maybe even a little better. Smith will still be throwing to D.K. Metcalf along with Tyler Lockett but now add first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the mix when he gets healthy. They also drafted promising running back Zach Charbonnet. The Seahawks made significant improvements on defense and look to keep the momentum rolling from last year.
Prediction: Over (9 wins)
Rams (O/U 6.5)
After going all in to win the Super Bowl two years ago, it was expected that tough times for the Los Angeles Rams could soon follow and it has. While having to get rid of talent in 2022, they were hit hard with injuries all over as well. That all equaled a five-win season and that could very well be their total again. The Rams average age of their 53-man roster is 25.7, the second-youngest in the NFL. There were rumors of Matthew Stafford not being able to build chemistry with his young offense and now Cooper Kupp suffered a setback with his hamstring injury. Not only could the offense struggle but even with Aaron Donald, the defense is projected to be one of the worst in football. Add this to one of the toughest schedules and it might be a long year for the Rams.
Prediction: Under (5 wins)
Cardinals (O/U 4.5)
It just doesn’t look promising one bit for the Arizona Cardinals this season. They have the lowest over/under win total in the league by two games. Arizona won just four games in 2022 and things could look worse. Kyler Murray will miss the first four games while still on the pup, they face the NFC East and AFC North, and their roster lacks just about everything. The Cardinals front office and coaching staff look competent in taking things slow, seemingly being ok with a longer rebuild. There’s not much to be excited about in Arizona this season and having one of the toughest schedules in the league doesn’t help, making it hard to find wins in 2023.
Prediction: Under (2 wins)
Other Division Over/Under Predictions:
AFC East
AFC West
AFC North
AFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
