In arguably the hardest division in the NFL, two teams have emerged as not just potential winners of the NFC West, but as potential candidates to lift the Lombardi trophy In February. Â However, the question remains: Can the Seahawks go back-to-back or will the Rams take back the NFC West?
The Rams won the offseason with their defensive additions in defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Trent McDuffie. But the biggest win came from the return of four-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement to play alongside Garrett in Los Angeles.Â
However, the reigning Super Bowl champions make a strong case to win a second consecutive NFC West title. Returning quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba make a strong case to keep the hardware for a second year in a row.Â
Here’s how all three First Things First co-hosts’ predictions for the NFC West this season.
Nick Wright elected for a repeat NFC West title for the Seattle Seahawks, followed by the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in last.Â
Even with the loss of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Wright says the Seahawks are still in position to be a 14-win team led by quarterback Sam Darnold.
“Theyre going to go 14-3. Aside from losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, which is a massive loss, I dont know why they wouldnt be awesome again,” Wright said on Tuesday’s edition of First Things First. “They were dominant all of last yearâ¦Do we see post-Super Bowl win, a free Sam Darnold where hes actually better than weve ever seen him before? Its certainly on the board.”
As the Seahawks rebuild at running back, the Rams are a team whose additions make them one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. However, Wright said LA is due for an 11-6 record and won’t be quite as good as everyone expects them to be.’
Wright placed the 49ers in third because of last season’s injury overhaul, the overuse of running back Christian McCaffrey and the departure of their former defensive coordinator.
“So many injuries. I dont trust the wide receivers. I think they will miss Robert Saleh. They pressed the CMC button so many times last year,” Wright said.Â
Which leaves Arizona in last place, according to Wright. The Cardinals closed out their 2025 campaign with a 3-14 record, and could be set up to repeat the record this season.Â
“Theyre going 3-14. They might be the worst team in the league, and they definitely have the toughest schedule in the league,” Wright said.Â
Chris Broussard went a different direction and chose the Rams as his NFC West favorites. The Rams have had an eventful offseason with the addition of star defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett.Â
When it came to putting the Super Bowl champions in second, Broussard made his point about where they could be after the big win.Â
“I still have them making the playoffs. I just think they’re not going to be quite as good as last year. I think its kind of natural. Macdonald is great. They just won a Super Bowl,” Broussard said.Â
When talking about the 49ers, who came in third on Broussard’s list, the amount of injuries and the departure of former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is a big reason Broussard did not make them a playoff team.Â
“Half the team is hurt. And I dont have them in the postseason. I would be pleasantly surprised if Brock (Purdy) went out there and cookedâ¦I agree with Nick, theyre going to miss Saleh. He kept that defense together last year,” Broussard sai
