NFL Analysis
10/24/24
7 min read
Report Card Grades for Every NFC West Team's 2024 Season So Far
The NFC West hasn't gone according to plan through the first seven weeks of the 2024 season.
Despite featuring the reigning NFC champion, the division features four teams hovering at or around .500. The Seattle Seahawks are in first place at 4-3, while the Los Angeles Rams are last at 2-4.
There's still plenty of time for the division standings to shake up. However, there are some major disappointments, and things could get hard for whichever playoff-caliber team doesn't win the division to sneak into the playoffs. The NFC North features three of the best teams in the conference, making the path to a wild-card spot even harder.
As the 2024 season reaches its halfway point, let's dive into all four NFC West teams with midseason grades based on preseason expectations.
Grading Every NFC West Team
Seattle Seahawks (4-3): A-
Even if things haven't been perfect, the Seattle Seahawks have a winning record and an outright lead in the division. That's not a bad start for a first-year head coach in Mike Macdonald.
The Seahawks showed off their full potential this past week in a dominant 34-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons. The offense played near-perfect football with zero turnovers and 6.1 yards per play, while the defense forced three takeaways, including a scoop-and-score from Derick Hall.
Hall and Boye Mafe are starting to emerge as a premier pass-rush duo in the NFL. Along with nine sacks and three forced fumbles between the two, they've also combined for 48 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Derick Hall (no. 58) plays with some serious power for the Seahawks. Had multiple plays last Sunday where he just caved in a side of the pocket before other guys cleaned things up. Including on his game-swinging fumble return TD. pic.twitter.com/YO24UNVZ6X
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 23, 2024
Macdonald's defense has the chance to control games with its pass-rushing ability, while the offense can control the clock with a star running back in Kenneth Walker III. He's only played in five of the team's seven games, but he's already racked up 463 total yards and seven touchdowns while averaging a strong 4.7 yards per carry.
This isn't a team that's played its best football yet, and injuries to keep players have hurt them at times. However, they have a chance to assert themselves as the top team in the NFC West with another statement win this week against the Buffalo Bills.
Arizona Cardinals (3-4): C+
The Arizona Cardinals weren't expected to do much this year, but they're hanging around with a 3-4 record and a second-place spot in the NFC West.
Kyler Murray has flashed the ability of a former two-time Pro Bowler this season. His 94.6 passer rating is on pace to be the second-best rating of his career, throwing for nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He's also been a dominant runner, scampering for a career-high 9.0 yards per attempt with 325 yards and two scores.
However, Murray is still missing a solidified connection with first-round rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., who has been getting open for some potentially explosive plays without being targeted
Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with a NASTY double move. He would’ve been wide open for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/nLnsD7Rv80
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 22, 2024
Arizona's defense was expected to be a mess this year due to a lack of talent, but they're at least not at the complete bottom of most defensive metrics. They currently rank 26th in defensive DVOA but were a few spots up last week at 23rd.
There's a real chance that a tough stretch of upcoming games will bring things to a halt. However, for now, the Cardinals are performing slightly above expectations.
The real question is whether or not GM Monti Ossenfort will make the Cardinals a seller at the trade deadline.
San Francisco 49ers (3-4): D
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the San Francisco 49ers just aren't getting the job done right now.
Injuries are playing a big factor in the team's struggles. Christian McCaffrey has not seen the field, while Brandon Aiyuk will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Other players missing games due to injury include Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Talanoa Hufanga, and Javon Hargrave.
Still, none of that can excuse some of the dud performances that the 49ers have had. The defense has been solid but has struggled mightily adding blitzers to the pass rush. In fact, the 49ers are last in EPA allowed per play on pass plays when they blitz.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy hasn't had a dominant season to keep the offense afloat while they deal with so many injuries. He's dealing with career-low marks in passer rating and completion percentage while pacing for his worst season for turnovers, throwing seven interceptions through seven games.
Things need to turn around for the 49ers, and fast. The Athletic's playoff projection model gives them just a 34 percent chance at making the playoffs through seven weeks.
The 49ers have many issues that could be fixed by getting players healthy. However, given their expectations as one of the best teams in the league, a 3-3 record with a 1-2 record in the division (losses vs. the Rams and Cardinals) should have fans a bit concerned about the team's chances at even making it into the postseason.
Los Angeles Rams (2-4): D+
The Los Angeles Rams were viewed as a dark horse team to make the playoffs, but like the 49ers, injuries have completely derailed their season.
For seven weeks, the Rams have played most of the season without the majority of their starting offensive line and their two star receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Things have gotten so bad that GM Les Snead is talking about trade offers for Kupp, who could be playing his last game with the Rams on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford is struggling and nearing the end of his career at 36 years old. According to NFELO, he ranks 29th in the league in EPA per dropback and 27th in adjusted net yards per attempt.
The defense is even worse, ranking 28th in defensive DVOA. Rookie Jared Verse has been one of the few bright spots, generating a team-high 27 pressures and making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Jared Verse has been the top rookie EDGE this season, ranking fourth in the NFL with a pass-rush win percentage of 23.3%
— Ryan Smith (@PFF_RyanSmith) October 22, 2024
His 5 quarterback hits vs the Raiders were the most for any player in Week 7#RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/TQ0qhF9aXi
Given the age of their stars and their record, Snead might be right to make the Rams sellers at the trade deadline. This could be the final year of the Stafford-McVay era, and things might look drastically different for the Rams if they decide to embrace a rebuilding year in 2025.
