Niner Noise
FanSided

10 reasons the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC West in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks can’t elude outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks can’t elude outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

No. 9: The Rest of the NFC West Took a Step Back

Both the Rams and 49ers are trending in the right direction. The Cardinals and Seahawks, meanwhile, are trending opposite.

Arizona is entering what looks to be a lengthy rebuild after losing quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians to retirement this offseason. Sure, they drafted UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen at No. 10 overall in this year’s NFL Draft. But all indications point to oft-injured veteran QB Sam Bradford starting in 2018.

No wonder Vegas has the Cardinals over/under win total at 5.5 this season.

The Seahawks are higher, sitting at eight wins. But their offseason emulated one the 49ers went through back in 2015.

Just think of all the talent lost this offseason:

Additionally, the Seahawks did little to address arguably their biggest weakness, the offensive line, which Pro Football Focus ranked 27th last year.

Why this matters is in regards to the standings. It’s much, much easier for a team like the Niners to chase only one team in the divisional race. Not two or even three.