NFL experts predict who wins the NFC West, and Rams fans won't be happy

Ever since the LA Rams hired Head Coach Sean McVay in 2017, the NFC West Division has primarily been a two-horse race. Either the division title would be won by the Rams, or their rival San Francisco 49ers. The lone exception to that rule was in 2020 when the Seattle Seahawks claimed first place in the division. But the Rams have won the NFC West three times, and the San Francisco 49ers have won the division title three times.

Is it time for a changing of the guard?

That is what the NFL experts at the NFL Network might lead you to believe. The entire division is packed as tight as sardines in a can after 12 games. With five games left on the schedule and many inter-divisional games among them, the team that gets hot to finish out the 2024 NFL season will almost certainly win the division, and be the lone representative in the 2025 NFL Playoffs as a result.

But not even the experts see eye-to-eye. NFL analyst Bucky Brooks cites the Seattle Seahawks as the team that will win the division. He leverages the fact that they are already leading the NFC West, and expects little to change. Conversely, NFL analyst Marc Ross leans to the Arizona Cardinals, a team that was hot, but has gotten cold with a two-game losing streak.

Neither expert sees the NFC West Division winner advancing in the upcoming playoffs.

We had recently published an article regarding the San Francisco 49ers, and how their 5-7 season is very disappointing for a team that many NFL analysts anointed as the NFC representative in Super Bowl LIX. Complicating their future even further is the fact that starting quarterback Brock Purdy is due for a tremendous pay increase, limiting the 49ers' ability to cut huge checks to compensate other players.

But what about the LA Rams? While they are not the obvious team at the moment, they have been far more successful since falling to 1-4 before their Week 6 BYE. In fact, they have recovered with a 5-2 record, and with five games left to play, could get hot for another push to the NFL Playoffs.

The NFC West Divisional race is far too close for comfort or to call right now. But I will point out three things:

1. The LA Rams are about as healthy as the team has been all season.
2. The team knows how to get hot at the right time (just look back to 2023).
3. The Rams coaching staff is very accomplished, and will have players at their peak to finish out the season.

The Rams have five games remaining on the schedule to decide their fates. Let's hope they make the best of their remaining chances. Thanks for reading.

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