The 2024 NFL season is getting closer and closer. Training camps start in less than two weeks. It’s about time I got off my ass and then sat down in front of a computer and wrote Know Your Enemy 2024 series. As we prepare for the Lions repeat as North champion, let’s take a look at the joint opponents of the NFC North from the NFC West and AFC South. To streamline, this article will be about the entire NFC West.
The Cream of the Crop and NFC North playoff Team Killer
San Francisco 49ers 12-5 (lost Super Bowl to Chiefs)
This team will be very good again led by Kyle Shanahan as Head Coach and play caller (3rd PPG offense). New DC promoted DB coach Nick Sorensen leads a strong defense replacing (3rd PPG defense) Steve Wilks (coaches decision).
Brock Purdy led the league with 113 QB rating (31 TDS and 11 picks 4,280 yards at 9.6 YPA). Christian McCaffery (1,459 yards at 5.4 YPC and 564 receiving yards is the best back in the league by far. Brandon Aiyuk (1,342 yards and 7 TDs) has contract issues but had an all pro year and Deebo Samuel if healthy is a beast. George Kittle is a top 5 TE too. 49ers drafted Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 at WR and Jaun Jennings is a solid 3rd WR. Loaded weapons and great play calling with a great run scheme.
Trent Williams is still an all pro LT with Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel and Jon Feliciano a solid interior trio. Colton McKivitz is a solid RT choice. They get the job done for Shanahan.
On defense, Nick Bosa (10.5 sacks) is an all pro and Javon Hargrave still a good DT. They did lose long time DT Arik Armstead in FA replaced by Maliek Collins. Veteran Leonard Floyd added for the EDGE rush along with 2022 2nd rounder Drake Jackson and Yetur Gross Matos. Fred Warner is an all pro Mike LB, Dre Greenlaw a good Will returning from ACL injury and DeVondre Campbell added from Green Bay.
Charvarius Ward is a very good CB1. Isaac Yiadom is next man up at CB2 battling 2nd round rookie Renard Green. Demmondre Lemoir is a decent veteran nickel. Ji’Yar Brown had a good rookie year and Talanoa Hufang returns from injury at Strong safety. 49ers secondary is strong enough to keep that top 5 defense.
49ers travel to the Vikings in Week 2 (1 PMv ET) and Green Bay in Week 12 (425 PM). 49ers host the Bears in Week 14 and the Lions (rematch NFC Champ game) on MNF in Week 17. 49ers probably should sweep the NFC North but the Packers or Lions could get revenge.
Los Angeles Rams 10-7 Playoff Team with Stafford but Young Defense
The Rams went 10-7 under long time coach Sean McVay but were eliminated by the Lions in the Wild Card Round. Matt Stafford returns at QB again (92.5 QB rating 24 TDS and 11 picks). Kyren Williams had a great first season as the Rams workhorse with (1,144 yards and 5.0 YPC). Cooper Kupp is still a beast and Puka Nucua came out of nowhere with 1,486 yards. Demarcus Robinson is a fine 3rd WR and Tutu Atwell will need to step up with Van Jefferson gone. Alaric Jackson at LT, new LG Jonah Jackson from Detroit, Steve Avila moving to center from guard, Kevin Dotson from Pittsburgh, veteran Rob Havenstein is a solid offensive line. The Rams offense should be good in 2024.
The Rams defense had a big change with Aaron Donald’s retirement. Jared Verse (EDGE) and Brandon Fiske DT/EDGE) were drafted in Round 1 and Round 2 to help ease the blow. Kobie Turner had a great rookie year at DT and should take on even more with Donald gone. Byron Young off the EDGE at OLB also had as strong rookie year. Bobby Brown is a veteran nose tackle so the Rams still have some firepower up front despite extreme youth. Ernest Jones and Christian Rozeboom are average non-exciting ILBs. They get the job done but can be beaten. Darius Williams is their top corner and they added Tre Davious White from Buffalo. If healthy, that is good combination. Quentin Lake is the nickel. Kamren Curl was a very nice underrated add at safety from Washington and John Johnson returns to try to revive his career like his early days with the Rams. Kamren Kitchens was added in Round 3 at safety giving them too Kamrens at safety. Rams back 7 has some weaknesses though at ILB, nickel and maybe safety. Depth issues if White gets hurt again. Rams might have to win some shootouts as they adjust to life without Donald and a youth movement. Raheem Morris (Falcons) is gone for new DC Chris Shula as well.
The Rams travel to Detroit Week 1 for Sunday Night Football for a playoff rematch and go to Chicago in Week 4. Los Angeles hosts the Packers in Week 5 and Vikings in Week 8 on Thursday Night Football. The Rams are very young on defense but still have a good offense with a run game and good passing game. They will be a tough game for anyone in the North.
Seattle Seahawks Changing of the Guard
Interesting times with Seattle with new head coach Mike MacDonald replacing Peter Carroll. Geno Smith (92.1 Rating ) is still a solid veteran at QB with three big weapons in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith Ngjiba at WR. If Smith falter, Sam Howell (Washington starter) could get a chance. Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas continue to grow at left and right tackle as former 1st and 2nd rounders. Laken Tomlinson was added at LG. Olu Owatimi is a new center and Anthony Bradford steps up at guard. Noah Fant trying to live up to his draft status on his new team. Kenneth Walker (905 yards 4.1 YPC) and Zach Charbonnat (4.3 YPC ) still a good young 1-2 punch at RB.
Seattle defense could be improved under Mike MacDonald. Leonard Williams gets a full year there after a trade to be a stud DE, Jarran Reed returned at NOT and DreMont Jones is a solid presence for the 3-4 defense with 1st round DT Byron Murphy big in the mix. Boye Mafe and Uchonne Nwusu will be the rushing OLBs that have had success but lack consistency.
Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson are very average ILBs though especially with Bobby Wagner gone again. Secondary should be strong with Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspon at CB. Michael Jackson is a question at CB. Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Love are veterans at safety in this new look defense. Seattle was 25th in PPG defense and hope they improve with MacDonald. They were 17th in PPG offense so OC Ryan Grubb will try to fix the offense.
Seattle travels to Detroit Week 4 for MNF and go to Chicago in Week 17. Seahawks host Week 15 on SNF and the Vikings in Week 16. Seattle is a fringe playoff team so won’t be an easy game. We’ll see how their new defense look and if Geno Smith can regain 2022 form. Don’t take them lightly and they had Detroit’s number the last 3 years (under Caroll).
Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Gannon begins year 2 as head coach of his rebuild. Kyler Murray returns fully from injury after a lost year. They are hoping OC Drew Petzing can get him to take the next step. Cardinals helped out Murray by adding Marvin Harrison Jr in the draft with Zay Jones. 2023 3rd rounder Michael Wilson is the 3rd WR. Trey McBride is a solid TE. The Cardinals revamped the offensive line with Paris Johnson (2023 1st rounder), Evan Brown UFA at LG, Center Will Froholdt, RG Will Hernandez and RT Jonah Williams (former Bengals 1st rounder). James Connor is a nice RB with Trey Benson added in Round 3. There will still be growing pains for this offense especially if Murray never takes that next step.
The Cardinals defense needs some life under Gannon. Darius Robinson was drafted at EDGE in Round 1 with Bilal Nichols at Nose. Justin Jones comes over at 3T from Chicago and they will look for Zaven Collins to live up to his 1st round billing. Kyzir White and Krys Barnes are the new average ILBs. BJ Ojulari is a rookie 2nd round pick on the EDGE. This defense is young and will take some time to develop. They also need some game changers.
Max Metlon was drafted in Round 2 with Sean Murphy Bunting at CB coming from Tampa. Budda Baker is the mainstay at safety along with Jalen Thompson at FS. Garrett Williams is a 2023 3rd rounder they hope grows at nickel. Cardinals defense had issues in 2023 (31st) and looks rough for 2024. Not good news for Murray or Gannon.
The Cardinals host Detroit in Week 3 and the Chicago in Week 9. Arizona goes to Green Bay Week 6 and Minnesota Week 13. The entire NFC North should sweep the Cardinals.
NFC West is a tough conference led by the 49ers. Rams and Seattle are playoff caliber teams with changes on defense. Cardinals still in a rebuild. All roads to the Super Bowl lead through the 49ers though as Detroit and Green Bay will need to figure out how to beat them in the playoffs.