The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most disrespected and overlooked Super Bowl champions in recent history. Just like during the season, when everyone doubted them because of Sam Darnold, not many people seem to talk about them as contenders.
Nevertheless, there's no reason to believe last season was a fluke. They beat some tough opposition, kept most of their core players, and didn't lose many key pieces this offseason. If anything, they should be the odds-on favorites to repeat.
Instead, some may argue that they're not even the favorites in their own division. That's why today, we'll dissect the primary reason why Mike Macdonald's team should have the last laugh against every team in the NFC West.
Why the Seattle Seahawks should beat every team in the NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Talent
This one's pretty straightforward. Once again, the Arizona Cardinals are projected to have one of the worst records in pro football, and it goes way beyond just algorithms and numbers. They simply don't have a good team, starting with the quarterback situation.
The Cardinals are looking at another top-three pick in 2027, and it's hard to believe they can even make it a close game against the Seahawks. Even if their offense takes off under Mike LaFleur, which is a big 'if,' who's gonna keep Jadarian Price and Jaxon Smith-Njigba out of paydirt?
The Seahawks will face a first-year head coach with no weapons other than Marvin Harrison Jr. -- who hasn't taken off -- and Trey McBride. On defense, they will be Josh Sweat (until he gets traded), Budda Baker, and a bunch of JAGs.
San Francisco 49ers: Mike Macdonald
Mike Macdonald coached circles around Kyle Shanahan last season. A team known for its offensive prowess couldn't score a single touchdown in eight quarters of football, including a win-or-go-home game.
With all due respect, this version of Mike Evans isn't likely to move the needle that much for the once-scary 49ers. They're getting older, are injury-prone, and even Coach Shanahan admitted that he couldn't crack the code against the Seahawks.
Coach Macdonald and Aden Durde's stacked defense will only get better with another year of Nick Emmanwori, and they should have a counter for everything the 49ers try to throw at them in desperation.
Los Angeles Rams: It's personal now
The Los Angeles Rams have made it personal. Trading for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett were huge splashes, but it goes well beyond that, as they already had a stacked defense, and they can only get so much better with these additions.
The Rams have run their mouths nonstop since their loss in the NFC Championship Game. Even when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, the last thing Jared Verse told his teammates was that they needed to beat the Seahawks.
The defending Super Bowl champions are living rent-free in the Rams' heads. And as great a coach as Sean McVay is, he tends to overcompensate and get in his own head when he's desperate. They're the hunters, not the hunted, and that could lead to some avoidable mistakes in those matchups.
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