The NFC West enters the 2026 NFL season with two conference finalists at the top, a proud franchise navigating transition and a rebuilding team with an intriguing collection of talent. On the latest episode of “Football 301,” Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Matt Harmon projected win totals for every team and examined the roster decisions and storylines that could shape the division.
| Team | Tice’s win total | Harmon’s win total | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks | 12-5 | <11.5 | 10.5 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 11-6 | 11-6 | 11.5 |
| San Francisco 49ers | >10.5 | >10.5 | 10.5 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 4-13 | 4-13 | 3.5 |
Seattle Seahawks win total prediction
The reigning Super Bowl champions return nearly their entire core, including a dominant defensive front and a dynamic offense that continues to improve. Both analysts see a legitimate chance for Seattle to repeat as NFC West champions.
Tice highlighted the potential of second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo, while Harmon believes the Seahawks have “just barely scratched the surface of Rashid Shahid’s potential.”
“There’s enough there for them to sneak out the division title — then a pretty decent gap down to a Niners team that I’m a little concerned about,” Harmon said.
Los Angeles Rams win total prediction
The Rams fell just short of the Super Bowl last season, but they enter 2026 looking even stronger despite the retirement of veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein. Head coach Sean McVay is preparing the offense for another championship push, and both analysts regard Los Angeles as one of the NFL’s elite teams.
“These are the two best teams, not just in the NFC, but in the NFL,” Tice said.
San Francisco 49ers win total prediction
Matt Harmon: >10.5 (projected 8-9 win range)
After years of operating on the edge with a veteran roster, Tice and Harmon see warning signs emerging in Santa Clara. The 49ers’ receiver overhaul, the accumulated mileage on longtime left tackle Trent Williams and questions surrounding the defense have raised concerns about the team’s floor as well as its ceiling.
Harmon identified the addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans as a potential turning point for the offense. If healthy, Evans could be an ideal X receiver in Kyle Shanahan’s system. However, age and injuries could leave San Francisco’s receiving corps in trouble.
“This team is a crossroads franchise,” Tice said. “I feel worse about the 2026 49ers than I ever expected to.”
Arizona Cardinals win total prediction
The Cardinals have a low over/under, but there are reasons for optimism. Betting markets project Arizona to have the NFL’s worst offense, yet both analysts are “Cardinals curious.”
They see the possibility of untapped chemistry between Arizona’s revamped skill-position group and new head coach and offensive play-caller Mike LaFleur. His McVay-inspired running game and passing concepts could help Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Trey McBride and Jerimiyah Love play to their strengths.
“There’s too much talent for them to be a complete disaster,” Tice said. “They’ll sneak a few wins, maybe confound a young QB with schematic funk.”
For more NFL insight, tune into “Football 301” on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
