The NFC West seems to be in a spot similar to the finish of the 2023 season. With the San Francisco 49ers taking the division title the last two years, which divisional rival will be looking to take the crown in 2024?
NFC West Power Rankings For 2024
1.) San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers come in at number one for my early 2024 NFL power rankings. The 49ers are coming off a stellar yet heartbreaking season in 2024, winning the NFC Conference Championship and falling short in the Super Bowl to the back-to-back champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Three of the last four years, San Francisco has reached the NFC title game but haven’t been able to raise the Lombardi.
In 2024 San Francisco are the odds-on favorite to win the NFC West again. A roster loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, there’s a reason they’ve been two Superbowl’s and multiple conference championships in the last five years. It’s only fitting for them to come in at number one for this season.
2.) Los Angeles Rams
A team that has won a Super Bowl over the last few seasons, the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are number two on my power rankings list as they entered last year in a questionable position. Concerns over quarterback, Matthew Stafford’s health after the 2022 season was a primary focus point going into the season last year. Those concerns proved to not be an issue as the Rams cemented a playoff berth but losing in the Wild Card.
For 2024, Los Angeles hopes to prove differently. Led by a dynamic offense in wide receivers Cooper Kupp and rookie standout in 2023, Puka Nacua, the Rams offense looks to be explosive once again. The questions stay the same. Will it be enough to overcome the high-powered 49ers?
3.) Seattle Seahawks
Coming in at number three for the early 2024 power rankings is the Seattle Seahawks. 2024 is going to look very different on the sidelines for Seattle. One of the more surprising moves this offseason was the departure of 14-year head coach, Pete Carroll. Seattle found Mike Macdonald, former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator in 2023, as the new face and head coach for the origination. Macdonald led the Baltimore Ravens to the number one defense in the NFL last season and looks to bring a fresh defensive mindset to Seattle.
Seattle is no slouch either. Another team in the NFC West with a handful of talent. An offensive core led by DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker, and second year receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Seattle possesses a young but upcoming defense with the likes of second year stand out cornerback Devon Witherspoon and young safety Julian Love who had four interceptions and over 120 tackles at safety for the Seahawks in 2023.
4.) Arizona Cardinals
Lastly, I have the Arizona Cardinals at number four in this early edition of NFL power rankings. Arizona is still in a rebuilding situation, as it seems. A second-year head coach in Johnathan Gannon, can Gannon bring this team to another step forward in 2024 after only winning four games in 2023? Arizona is led by quarterback Kyler Murray, who was limited to just eight regular season games coming off an ACL tear in December of 2022. Having Murray back at the start of the year is huge for this young club.
Finishing the 2024 draft with 12 draft picks made, Arizona is looking right into the future, selecting Ohio State wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr. at fourth overall and adding Missouri edge rusher, Darius Robinson in the first round is a great step in their future success.
