NFC West...

[bileever]

But, but, but...the Cardinals. Weren't we supposed to be fighting for the divisional scraps with the Cards that the Rams and 9ers leave behind?

The Cardinals were supposed to be good this year, according to some pundits. The Athletic predicted that the Cardinals would be the NFL's last undefeated team:

Arizona Cardinals: Cardinals are NFC’s last remaining undefeated team​

The Cardinals will be a playoff contender in Year 3 under Jonathan Gannon — but only if they get off to a quick start. They should have the offensive weapons, defensive improvement and schedule to do so. Arizona opens at New Orleans, before returning home to face Carolina. From there, it visits San Francisco, hosts Seattle and Tennessee and travels to Indianapolis. Nothing in the NFL is easy, especially for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015, but the Cardinals could be 6-0 entering their Oct. 19 game against Green Bay.

Bold NFL 2025 season predictions: Giants turn to Jaxson Dart early; Broncos win AFC West

Our beat writers shared some surprising thoughts on Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy and others after we asked for one prediction for every team.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Weadoption]

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

Backing him up or blocking for him is not going to get us the division any more likely though , unless he gets injured

Unless. And that’s a big unless. McCaffrey’s load management is unsustainable and this year there’s no Jordan Mason to fill in. Guerendo is relegated to special teams.

 

[Ruminator]

View attachment 75184

Didn't know the St. Louis Cardinals played football.

 

[HawkRiderFan]

I was very skeptical as some experts were saying Cardinals would challenge for the division. I think I saw some projected win totals that had them higher than the Hawks

 

[sutz]

During the silly season, bloggers will post anything to get clicks.

 

[Ramfan128]

Seahawks and Rams are in a group of teams that could be listed as best in the NFL thus far....meanwhile, the Niners somehow went on the road and beat both of them, and are 3-0 in the division.

The Niners schedule is still being talked about as soft, but I don't really see the Browns and Giants as easy outs. Especially with both of those being goad games for the Niners.

After the bye, we are home for the Saints so we should be 6-2 going into a two game stretch that very well may decide the division, at the Niners and then home for the Seahawks. If we drop both of those, I don't see us winning it. If we win both, that'll put us in the drivers seat. If we split, whoever we lose to will be in a great position.

Hidden thing to watch out for because of how this division was decided last year and three teams being 5-2 right now: the Rams are the only team with an uncommon loss (Eagles). The Niners have two with the Bucs/Jags and the Seahawks have one with the Bucs.

If we can split with the Seahawks and Niners and sweep the Cardinals, and the Seahawks can win in SF later this year, us beating the Bucs could have a major impact if we can beat the later this season.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I was very skeptical as some experts were saying Cardinals would challenge for the division. I think I saw some projected win totals that had them higher than the Hawks

"EXPERTS"

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

Everyone has their byes next week except the Niners, making bye week placement a wash from a competitive standpoint.

The team has 5 wins already as opposed to six all of last year due to McCaffrey.

 

[onanygivensunday]

Didn't know the St. Louis Cardinals played football.

You're kidding... right?

Well, if you weren't aware... from 1960 to 1987, St. Louis had two professional teams named the St. Louis Cardinals... one in MLB and the other in the NFL. They were one of the league's top teams in the mid-70s.

Before that, the Cardinals franchise was HQ'd in Chicago... from 1920 to 1959.

The franchise has been in AZ since 1988... first as the Phoenix Cardinals (1988 - 1993) and starting in 1994 as the Arizona Cardinals.

 

[bileever]

You're kidding... right?

Well, if you weren't aware... from 1960 to 1987, St. Louis had two professional teams named the St. Louis Cardinals... one in MLB and the other in the NFL. They were one of the league's top teams in the mid-70s.

Before that, the Cardinals franchise was HQ'd in Chicago... from 1920 to 1959.

The franchise has been in AZ since 1988... first as the Phoenix Cardinals (1988 - 1993) and starting in 1994 as the Arizona Cardinals.

I am old enough to remember the St. Louis Cardinals of the 1970s, one of the pioneers of the modern passing game. They were coached by Don Coryell--you might have heard of "Air Coryell"--and their QB was Jim Hart. They had Seattle native Terry Metcalf, who was an exciting running back and kick returner. They had some good seasons in the mid-70s.

 

[Jac]

Seahawks and Rams are in a group of teams that could be listed as best in the NFL thus far....meanwhile, the Niners somehow went on the road and beat both of them, and are 3-0 in the division.

The Niners schedule is still being talked about as soft, but I don't really see the Browns and Giants as easy outs. Especially with both of those being goad games for the Niners.

After the bye, we are home for the Saints so we should be 6-2 going into a two game stretch that very well may decide the division, at the Niners and then home for the Seahawks. If we drop both of those, I don't see us winning it. If we win both, that'll put us in the drivers seat. If we split, whoever we lose to will be in a great position.

Hidden thing to watch out for because of how this division was decided last year and three teams being 5-2 right now: the Rams are the only team with an uncommon loss (Eagles). The Niners have two with the Bucs/Jags and the Seahawks have one with the Bucs.

If we can split with the Seahawks and Niners and sweep the Cardinals, and the Seahawks can win in SF later this year, us beating the Bucs could have a major impact if we can beat the later this season.

So much was made of the 49ers easy schedule, but every year is so different. We have the Vikings, Commanders, and Steelers, while the 49ers have the Bears, Giants, and Browns. At this point, I'd rather have the Vikings and Commanders on the schedule over the Bears and Giants. We already beat the Steelers...and like you allude to, I'm not sure that playing against the Browns defense on November 30 is an easy game given the weather uncertainty.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Don't forget: Eff the Niners and the Clams.

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

So much was made of the 49ers easy schedule, but every year is so different. We have the Vikings, Commanders, and Steelers, while the 49ers have the Bears, Giants, and Browns. At this point, I'd rather have the Vikings and Commanders on the schedule over the Bears and Giants. We already beat the Steelers...and like you allude to, I'm not sure that playing against the Browns defense on November 30 is an easy game given the weather uncertainty.

The Niners ineptness in 3rd round drafting has doomed them once again, incredible as they’ve had multiple additional there due to Rooney/comp/trades. Ronnie Bell. Ty Davis Price. Danny Gray. Jake Moody. Now the latest Nick Martin who @Marvin49 claims hasn’t been trotted out bc he doesn’t know how to play special teams. I’m sorry, what? Why?

They should just trade out of this round from now on.

 

[NoGain]

The Niners ineptness in 3rd round drafting has doomed them once again, incredible as they’ve had multiple additional there due to Rooney/comp/trades. Ronnie Bell. Ty Davis Price. Danny Gray. Jake Moody. Now the latest Nick Martin who @Marvin49 claims hasn’t been trotted out bc he doesn’t know how to play special teams. I’m sorry, what? Why?

They should just trade out of this round from now on

Excepting Joe Montana, of course. LOL

 

[Ruminator]

You're kidding... right?

Well, if you weren't aware... from 1960 to 1987, St. Louis had two professional teams named the St. Louis Cardinals... one in MLB and the other in the NFL. They were one of the league's top teams in the mid-70s.

Before that, the Cardinals franchise was HQ'd in Chicago... from 1920 to 1959.

The franchise has been in AZ since 1988... first as the Phoenix Cardinals (1988 - 1993) and starting in 1994 as the Arizona Cardinals.

You missed the joke. Look at the logo in Weadoption's graphic for Cardinals. So I was saying, didn't know the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball team) played football.

Edit: Changed "OP" to "Weadoption" -- my bad.

 

[Jac]

The Niners ineptness in 3rd round drafting has doomed them once again, incredible as they’ve had multiple additional there due to Rooney/comp/trades. Ronnie Bell. Ty Davis Price. Danny Gray. Jake Moody. Now the latest Nick Martin who @Marvin49 claims hasn’t been trotted out bc he doesn’t know how to play special teams. I’m sorry, what? Why?

They should just trade out of this round from now on.

The 49ers followed the old Seahawks model. Rely on the same aging vets (who grow smaller in number), draft poorly over an extended time period, and watch the roster talent hollow out. To their credit, their coaching this year has elevated them to a 5-2 record, though. Their top-notched coaching keeps squeaking out wins as evidenced by their +7 point differential. This is an important year for them because it could all come to a head next year when McCaffrey turns 30 coming off a heavy workload season and if Saleh gets a HC job.

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

The 49ers followed the old Seahawks model. Rely on the same aging vets (who grow smaller in number), draft poorly over an extended time period, and watch the roster talent hollow out. To their credit, their coaching this year has elevated them to a 5-2 record, though. Their top-notched coaching keeps squeaking out wins as evidenced by their +7 point differential. This is an important year for them because it could all come to a head next year when McCaffrey turns 30 coming off a heavy workload season and if Saleh gets a HC job.

Their team is basically McCaffrey and they didn’t bother to draft the obvious McCaffrey complement if not successor in Skattebo, choosing instead Nick Martin whose held inactive over 7th rounder Tatum Bethune.

 

[NoGain]

Man, it's hard to ignore that 11/16 game against the Rams looming on the horizon. If we could get healthy, possibly make a key acquisition before the deadline, and manage to get to 7-2 against the Commanders and Cards, that game will be a marque NFL game in which it will be impossible for the national media to ignore us any longer.

But we've got to take care of business first, keep improving, correcting mistakes, and establishing our identity.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Go Hawks. The rest don't matter.