Will there be a more competitive division in the NFL this coming season than the NFC West? Maybe. Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs cruised to the top of the AFC West (and the No. 1 playoff spot), but both the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos made the playoffs. The same applies to the NFC North, where the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers all advanced to the postseason.
But there’s a sense that the NFC West may take up more than one playoff spot. Last year, the Los Angeles Rams were the only team from their division to make the playoffs. That likely won’t be the case this year. The Seattle Seahawks barely missed the postseason; the Arizona Cardinals are on the upswing; and the San Francisco 49ers are back at full health.
The 49ers might be too good, according to one ESPN analyst.
San Francisco 49ers Most Likely To Go ‘From Worst To First’ in 2025: ESPN
Aaron Schatz of ESPN published his ranking of the “most likely worst-to-first teams for the 2025 season,” and sitting at No. 1? The San Francisco 49ers.
After losing yet again to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, the 49ers seemingly limped through 2024. They finished 6-11 and at the bottom of the NFC West.
However, Shatz sees them rebounding to the top, giving them a 35.9% chance of winning the NFC West and a 62.4% chance of making the playoffs. Shatz sees the return of key players from injuries—running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams—will bolster the ranks.
Shatz also argues that the 6-11 49ers “weren’t really that bad last season.”
“San Francisco finished the 2024 season ranked ninth in FPI. DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) ratings at FTN didn't have the 49ers quite that high, but they were still 14th despite a losing record. Their DVOA of 6.7% was easily the best ever by an 11-loss team, going all the way back to 1978.”
The ESPN writer also notes that the Niners have “the easiest projected schedule in the league, which is why FPI favors them to win the NFC West over the Rams, who are rated higher overall.”
Does This Prediction Doom The Cardinals' Playoff Hopes?
The Rams do have a tough schedule ahead of them, but news out of the OTAs suggests that they’ve adapted to losing Cooper Kupp to the Seahawks. They’re not going down without a fight, and could finish the regular season with an 11-6 record.
The Seahawks are still unpredictable, though some think they’ll end up with an 8-9 season, at best.
Yes, the 49ers have a relatively easy schedule, but some analysts predict they will go either 11-6 or 10-7. Then there’s what Sports Illustrated says, predicting they’ll go 7-10. “This team does not seem ready to make an NFC Championship run. Maybe next year if their draft picks hit”
The Cardinals didn’t get the hardest or the kindest season in 2025. ESPN’s Analytics has the Cards going 6-11, according to AZCentral. Sports Illustrated highlights how the offense “struggled so heavily with consistency” and that the final stretch of the season will be too tough to overcome, resulting in a 9-8 record. ESPN also noted how early odds say Arizona won’t even improve on last year’s record, and that another 8-9 year is the best that fans can hope for.
This is a make-or-break year for the Cardinals. Kyler Murray needs to show consistency and chemistry with his wide receivers. If offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is still in love with running the ball, then running back James Conner needs to continue his upward trend and have another 1,000+ rushing yards season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon needs to adapt to the shifting landscape and ensure that this talk of “shored up defense” is not just talk, that Arizona makes opposing offensive lines quake with fear.
We’ve been saying that “the NFC West is going to be one of the most competitive divisions this season,” and that’s still true.
Analysts think it’s a two-team race between the Rams and the Niners, with the Cardinals also in the mix. It’s just that their biggest competition is themselves.
Because it’s only the Cardinals standing in Arizona’s way to the playoffs, and ultimately, proving everyone wrong.