When talking about the toughest division in football, there are three names most commonly heard: the NFC North, NFC South, and AFC North. Yes, all these divisions are tough, with each divisions having three teams with legitimate cases to win theirs. The NFC North has arguably the best quarterback in football on one team, with two top-five defenses on other teams.
The NFC South features the MVP runner-up this year, the 2016 MVP, and the MVP in 2017. Lastly, the AFC South consists of the best defense (statically) in the NFL, a young exciting team that just traded for a superstar, and a team with an All-Pro quarterback with the best offensive line in football. All of these divisions have one thing in common: each division has tree truly competitive teams. But what if I told you there was a division consisting of all four teams that could make a push for the playoffs in 2019? Enter: The NFC West.
The NFC West Will Shock You in 2019
Cardinals
Ok, enough rambling. The division that has four teams that will be competitive will be the NFC West. How can a division be the best division in the NFL if two of their teams had the worst record in the NFL? First off, the Arizona Cardinals added a potential game-changing quarterback in Kyler Murray and won the draft by a landslide.
The Cardinals drafted five different players who were projected to go in the first round at least once. With his mobility at quarterback, Kyler Murray, Byron Murphy, Andy Isabella, Zach Allen, Hakeem Butler, and Deionte Thompson. Kyler Murray instantly changes the offensive-line, and Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler being added to a receiving core that already features Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald is downright scary for secondaries. Zach Allen helps their pass rush immensely, and having Byron Murphy across the field from Patrick Peterson is not just scary, but terrifying. And if that weren’t enough, they somehow had the second best safety in the class, Deionte Thompson, fall to them in the fifth round.
The Cardinals offense is going to be too electric to not win at least seven games this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they stole a game in the Los Angeles Ram’s home stadium.
49ers
The San Francisco 49ers did not have as killer of a draft like the Cardinals did, but they still drafted Nick Bosa to add to a front seven that already features Deforest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead, Fred Warner, and recently acquired Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander. And the most important thing is that they’re getting their “face of the franchise,” Jimmy Garoppolo back from a torn ACL injury. They added Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd to their receiving core, and they already have one of the best offensive lines in football. Don’t be surprised if the 49ers go 10-6.
Rams and Seahawks
As for the Rams and Seattle Seahawks, not a lot of explaining need to be done. The Rams are fresh off of a Superbowl appearance, and another year of Jared Goff developing will only add to the success that he had last year. With Copper Kupp coming back healthy for next season, Goff will have the same incredible offensive supporting cast from last season , and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald seems more motivated than ever after not winning MVP, and not winning the Superbowl. Head coach Sean Mcvay is still a genius despite being out-coached in the Superbowl, and while i do have concerns about Todd Gurley‘s longevity in the NFL due to his arthritis, he still should be a dominant running back for this season.
Lastly, the Seahawks have Russell Wilson, who is one of the few quarterbacks in the NFL that can truly carry a team. With the recent news that the Seahawks are parting ways with both Doug Baldwin and Kam Chancellor, Wilson will be forced to carry even more of the load for the Seahawks, and while he is capable of doing so, i do not think the Seahawks will make the postseason. However, because of the heroics of Wilson, the Seahawks will be competitive nonetheless.
Last Word
There you have it; the legitamate case for each NFC West team to make the playoffs. Yes, some teams’ case for being competitive is stronger than other teams. I mean just look at the Rams case compared to the Seahawks. The Rams have a great offense, a superstar on defense, and arguably the brightest coach in the NFL. The Seahawks have Russell Wilson. However, if all four of these teams make the post-season, I would not be surprised one bit, and that is something I have never seen before.
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