The San Francisco 49ers dramatically underperformed during the 2024 NFL season. As a result, the Los Angeles Rams claimed the NFC West title, an honor they have pretty much split with the 49ers ever since 2017.
Injuries were the major catalyst in this disappointing campaign, but the Red and Gold appear to be reloaded and confident in 2025. The Seahawks and Cardinals had uneventful offseasons, so with better injury luck, San Francisco can make a deep playoff run again this season.
While the Rams certainly made a handful of decent additions this offseason, it is actually the Cardinals who have been garnering a bit of hype ahead of the year. 49ers fans know better than to believe in this, however, as recent history would indicate they will underperform.
49ers fans know better than to buy Cardinals hype ahead of 2025 season
Arizona has won just one NFC West title since 2010, and none since the 2015 season. However, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon still believes the Cardinals will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this year.
"This team would still likely have its work cut out for it in tougher divisions, but the 49ers are dealing with substantial losses after a disastrous season and the Rams and Seahawks are fringe contenders at best," Gagnon wrote. "Arizona could easily be positioned to make a surprise run at the NFC West crown and could even be a potential playoff spoiler. And at the very least, I’d expect to see plenty of fireworks in Cards games in 2025."
While the NFC West may not be incredibly strong in 2025, it is precisely because of teams like the Cardinals that the division gets this reputation.
RELATED: 49ers fans can only laugh as Chiefs place lofty expectations on rookie
Kyler Murray is an electric player, but he is perennially overrated as a winning NFL quarterback. Trey McBride and James Conner are solid offensive pieces as well, but the receiver room is counting on several young players to emerge, which may not happen.
The Cardinals may have swept the 49ers last season, but San Francisco was a shell of itself as they dealt with numerous injuries. Arizona does not likely have enough to overcome a fully healthy 49ers team, however.
San Francisco will host the Cardinals at Levi's Stadium in Week 3 for the first of two matchups between these teams. The second game will take place in Week 11 at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix.