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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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the sidelines during the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the sidelines during the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Rams’ 2018 Roster Moves Could Blow Up in Their Faces

OK, so the Rams are the only serious projected threat the Niners face on their path to win the NFC West this season.

On paper, L.A. is superior. Especially after adding defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters this offseason. The Rams are in win-now mode, particularly while Jared Goff’s contract remains cheap and the team’s cap situation remains workable.

Yet that might not all be dandy. While a major deep threat, the Rams are now the third team in as many years Cooks has been on. Interesting how he didn’t quite work out with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots in previous years.

But the additions of Suh, Talib and Peters are even more interesting.

All three have pretty volatile and strong personalities. Suh’s reputation needs no introduction. And Talib’s frequent altercations on the field are well known, especially among Oakland Raiders fans.

Peters, meanwhile, all but forced the Chiefs to trade him off despite still being on his own cheap rookie contract.

It’s going to be up to Sean McVay to keep this proverbial ship sailing in the right direction. McVay is one of the NFL’s brightest young coaches. But even this could prove to be a lofty test. If he’s not up to the challenge, the Rams could easily fall apart before they find the needed momentum.