Steve Serby previews the NFC West as The Post gives division-by-division breakdowns ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Coach: Kyle Shanahan
2022 record: 13-4
O/U wins: 10.5
Key additions: DT Javon Hargrave, QB Sam Darnold, DE Clelin Ferrell, CB Isaiah Oliver, C Jon Feliciano, K Jake Moody, S Ji’Ayir Brown
Key departures: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RT Mike McGlinchey, CB Emmanuel Moseley, S Jimmie Ward, EDGE Samson Ebukam, K Robbie Gould, QB Trey Lance
First-and-goal: Shanahan is an elite play-caller and he calls plays for arguably the best arsenal of weapons in the league: dual-threat RB Christian McCaffrey, WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and TE George Kittle. The arrival of ex-Eagle Hargrave (11 sacks last season) alongside DE Nick Bosa (summer holdout) and DT Arik Armstead gives new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks the most fearsome front four in the game. MLB Fred Warner has been a 100-plus tackle machine in each of his five NFL seasons and OLB Dre Greenlaw (127 tackles) emerged last season. LT Trent Williams is in a league of his own. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is a football magnet who earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
Fourth-and-long: All eyes on QB Brock Purdy and the surgically repaired elbow that rendered him irrelevant in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia. Plan B is Jets and Panthers castoff Darnold, who has opened Shanahan’s eyes. McGlinchey took the free agent money and ran to Denver, and Colton McKivitz has to replace him at right tackle. Wilks has the pelts, but must follow DeMeco Ryans, who followed Robert Saleh. Rookie Moody has the leg, but he’s a rookie.
Serby Says: 11-6. As long as the quarterback doesn’t hold them back, an NFC Championship game rematch against the Eagles is a distinct possibility.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Coach: Pete Carroll
2022 record: 9-8
O/U wins: 8.5
Key additions: LB Bobby Wagner, DT Dre’Mont Jones, S Julian Love, DE Jarran Reed, C Evan Brown, LB Devin Bush, CB Devon Witherspoon, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, RB Zach Charbonnet, OLB Derick Hall
Key departures: RB Rashaad Penny, C Austin Blythe, DT Quinton Jefferson, LB Cody Barton, RB Travis Homer, DE L.J. Collier, S Johnathan Abram, C Kyle Fuller, S Ryan Neal, WR Marquise Goodwin, NT Al Woods, DT Shelby Harris
First-and-goal: They wrote Geno Smith off but he ain’t write back. Old Reliable Tyler Lockett and Old Muscle Beach Body DK Metcalf remain his top weapons, and first-round WR Smith-Njigba could wreak havoc in the slot. RB Kenneth Walker III was a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie and second-rounder Charbonnet is talented enough to form a formidable 1-2 committee. The defense is markedly improved with the additions of Wagner, Love, Jones and Reed, while Witherspoon and rookie sensation Tariq Woolen make a modern-day Legion of Boom at corner. They’re expecting a second-year leap from offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas. Carroll has no idea he’ll be turning 72 on Sept. 15.
Fourth-and-long: The interior O-line could be problematic, and Cross and Lucas need to step up. Reed is the key to improving the 30th-ranked run defense. They lost three times last season to the 49ers, still the class of the division. Maybe the 12s can make more noise.
Serby Says: 9-8. Carroll and GM John Schneider scoffed at the rebuilding expectations en route to the wild card last season. This is a playoff team as long as Smith isn’t a one-hit wonder.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Coach: Sean McVay
2022 record: 5-12
O/U wins: 6.5
Key additions: WR Demarcus Robinson, QB Stetson Bennett, G Steve Avila, DE/OLB Byron Young, WR Puka Nacua, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Key departures: CB Jalen Ramsey, OLB Leonard Floyd, LB Bobby Wagner, S Taylor Rapp, S Nick Scott, DT A’Shawn Robinson, RB Sony Michel, QB Baker Mayfield, CB Troy Hill, S David Long, WR Allen Robinson, DT Greg Gaines, K Matt Gay, P Riley Dixon, LS Aaron Brewer
First-and-goal: QB Matthew Stafford played only nine games last season, so Cooper Kupp needs him to stay on the field. DT Aaron Donald is 32, so maybe he’ll be somewhat mortal. RB Cam Akers rebounded from his torn ACL and could make noise. TE Tyler Higbee (133 catches, eight TDs) was productive in 2021 and 2022. McVay is an elite play-caller and motivator and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is no slouch.
Fourth-and-long: The future that was mortgaged to win Super Bowl LVI is now. The O-line still misses retired LT Andrew Whitworth. The secondary will miss Ramsey. Donald still misses Von Miller rushing the passer. The Rams will face four 2022 playoff teams over the first five weeks.
Serby Says: 7-10. Kelly Stafford says her 35-year-old husband is having a problem connecting with so many of his young teammates. The good news (or is it?) is that Kupp is only five years younger than the QB.
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4. Arizona Cardinals
Coach: Jonathan Gannon
2022 record: 4-13
O/U wins: 4.5
Key additions: OT Paris Johnson, OLB BJ Ojulari, CB Rashad Fenton, CB Kris Boyd, DT Carlos Watkins, DT L.J. Collier, LB Josh Woods, WR Zach Pascal, LB Kyzir White, OL Hjalte Froholdt, OT Dennis Daley, WR Michael Wilson, CB Garrett Williams, QB Clayton Tune
Key departures: WR DeAndre Hopkins, DE J.J. Watt, QB Colt McCoy, WR A.J. Green, CB Byron Murphy, DE Zach Allen, WR Robbie Chosen (Anderson), G Justin Pugh, OL Cody Ford, OLB Markus Golden, LB Isaiah Simmons
First-and-goal: Safety Budda Baker is a five-time Pro Bowler alongside Jalen Thompson. RB James Conner is a workhorse as long as the injury bug doesn’t bite him again. WR Hollywood Brown is a deep threat, but can anyone get the ball to him? They own the Texans’ first-round pick, which would be USC QB Caleb Williams if all goes as planned (wink, wink).
Fourth-and-long: QB Kyler Murray (ACL) is on the PUP list and faces a murky future. Backup QBs Joshua Dobbs and Tune have started a combined two NFL games. Who will start opposite CB Marco Wilson? TE Zach Ertz (knee) has seen his best days, while fellow TE Trey McBride didn’t flash as a second-round rookie in 2022. The O-line is long in the tooth and the head coach and coordinators are rookies.
Serby Says: 4-13. The only oasis in the desert is Caleb Williams.
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