‘Football 301’ predicts NFC West win totals where the Seahawks and Rams are still elite, the 49ers are in flux and the Cardinals can rise up

The NFC West looks primed for another strong season with both 2025-26 conference finalists at the top, a proud franchise wrestling with transition, and a plucky, talent-rich rebuilding squad. On the latest episode of “Football 301,” Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Matt Harmon laid out their win projections for each team and drilled deep into the roster spots and storylines that could swing the division this fall.

Below, we break down their projected win total picks for each squad:

Team

Tice’s win total

Harmon’s win total

O/U

Seahawks

12-5

<11.5

10.5

Rams

11-6

11-6

11.5

49ers

>10.5

>10.5

10.5

Cardinals

4-13

4-13

3.5

Seattle Seahawks

Win total predictions:

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The reigning Super Bowl champions retain almost their entire core, from their dominant defensive front to a dynamic, steadily improving offense. Both hosts see a strong chance for a repeat run atop the NFC West. Tice highlighted second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo’s high ceiling, while Harmon feels 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.

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Los Angeles Rams

Win total predictions:

The Rams just missed out on the Super Bowl last season but enter 2026 looking even more loaded, despite veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein’s retirement. With head coach Sean McVay gearing up the offense for another championship run, both hosts view L.A. as one of the NFL’s true elites.

“These are the two best teams, not just in the NFC, but in the NFL,” Tice said.

San Francisco 49ers

Win total predictions:

Matt Harmon: >10.5 (projected 8-9 win range)

After years of living on the razor’s edge with a veteran core, Tice and Harmon see the check-engine light blinking in Santa Clara. The receiver room overhaul, longtime left tackle Trent Williams’ mileage, and a now-questionable defense have them fearing the Niners’ floor as much as their ceiling. Harmon pointed to the addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans as the…

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Author : Yahoo Sports Staff,Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2026-08-27 20:41:00

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