Who is the best team in the NFC West? Week 1 was just kicked off and we had some exciting action. The NFC West consists of the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks. The Arizona Cardinals barely lost in week 1 to the Washington Commanders, losing 16-20. Everyone was ranking the Arizona Cardinals dead last in projections, but they looked way better than I expected. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks had a divisional matchup in week 1. I fully expected, as did most people, for the Seattle Seahawks to destroy in this game. However, it was the Los Angeles Rams who dominated this game, winning 30-13. The San Francisco 49ers also dominated in week 1, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-7. At one point the Pittsburgh Steelers only had 1 yard of gain, while the San Francisco 49ers had nearly 180. The San Francisco 49ers looked amazing. It was an interesting and entertaining week 1. However, week 1 does not and will not determine the 2023 season. This ranking will be my personal predictions based off of the overall teams, players, and how I think they will finish the year.

At the bottom of the division will be the Arizona Cardinals. They have just an alright defense, an alright wide receiver with Marquise Brown, a great running back with James Conner, but they don’t really have a reliable quarterback. Right now they have their backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs playing because their starter, Kyler Murray, is injured. Neither of these quarterbacks are special but I think Joshua Dobbs is a little better than Kyler Murray. This next pick is difficult for me because I can see either one of these teams being second or third in the division. Third in the NFC West will be the Los Angeles Rams. They have a great defense led by Aaron Donald, a good veteran quarterback with Matthew Stafford, a great young running back with Kryen Williams, a top 5 wide receiver with Cooper Kupp, and a great rookie wide receiver with Puka Nacua. This team is really good and has potential to finish second but I have to put them at third. 

Now it comes down to the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Second place of the NFC West will be no other than the Seattle Seahawks. They are led by a good quarterback with Geno Smith. Geno Smith won Comeback Player of the Year last year and led the NFL in completion percentage. The Seattle Seahawks also have a top three wide receiver core with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seattle Seahawks also have a good defense and a phenomenal young running back with Kenneth Walker III. Like I said, I can see this spot being fought for between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. However, I believe it will be the Seattle Seahawks who finish second in their division. 

And your NFC West champions will be no other than the San Francisco 49ers! Wow, does this team look dominant! They are led by their second year quarterback Brock Purdy. Brock Purdy was the last pick in the draft last year and everyone gave him the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant”. He got drafted and was the third string quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. The two quarterbacks ahead of him got injured towards the end of the season which gave him the chance to play. Since playing, Brock Purdy is undefeated in the regular season, and still has not lost a game. Brock Purdy has a great story and is proving everyone wrong. He is a great quarterback and fun to watch. The San Francisco 49ers also have a top five defense in the lead with Fred Warner leading the way. The San Francisco 49ers also have two great wide receivers with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayiuk, they have a top four tight end with George Kittle, and they have the best running back in the NFL with Christian McCaffery. Christian McCaffery is unstoppable! He runs the ball like you have never seen and he catched the ball like he is a wide receiver. Christian McCaffery is truly a once in a generation type of player and is phenomenal to watch. That is why I believe the San Francisco 49ers will win the NFCWest. I think the San Francisco 49ers might even win the NFC Championship this year, and potentially win the Super Bowl. This is my final ranking of the NFC West. 1. San Francisco 49ers, 2. Seattle Seahawks, 3. Los Angeles Rams, and 4. Arizona Cardinals.