Predicting final records for the 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, and Seahawks

We’ve made our predictions for how many games the San Francisco 49ers will win in 2021. I haven’t told you how many games I believe the Niners would win, so let’s get that out of the way.

49ers: 11-6

We’ll find out how good this team is early in the season. San Francisco should start 2-0, but after that, they play seven potential playoff teams, depending on how you feel about Arizona. The back-half of the schedule is forgiving, but we’re in for two straight months of quality football.

I’ll predict 11-6 for the 49ers. I think they get swept by the Rams, split with the Seahawks, and sweep Arizona. The other three losses I went with were at home against the Colts — yes, off a bye week. Week 12 against Kirk Cousins.

There are always head-scratcher games that teams lose. Nick Mullens against the Eagles last year. The 49ers dropping a game to the Falcons in 2019. The Rams losing to the Jets in 2020.

The other loss is against the Titans on a short week. I don’t think Tennessee’s roster holds a candle to San Francisco’s, but going against a tough Falcons offense and then facing Derrick Henry a few days later on Thursday Night Football.

Cardinals: 8-9

Our friends at Revenge of the Birds predicted Arizona would win ten games this year. That would be the most wins for the franchise since 2015. This is the best Cardinals’ team since the Bruce Arians’ days.

Arizona should get off to another strong start as they open the season with the Titans, Vikings, and Jaguars. After that, the Cardinals get the Rams, 49ers, Browns, then a break with the Texans at home.

That’s followed by the Packers, Niners, Panthers, Seahawks, then after a bye week they’re at Chicago, then get the Rams. There’s another break with the Lions, but they end the season with the Colts, Cowboys, and Seahawks.

Where are those ten wins coming from? If I were going the optimistic route, I’d say 8-9. Arizona added some veterans who are big in name but have a troubling injury history. Let’s see if it works.

Rams: 13-4

I’m bullish on the Rams as I expect Sean McVay to unleash an offense he’s wanted to since McVay joined the Rams. Los Angeles lost quality talent during free agency on defense, but neglecting to improve your offensive line will come back to haunt the Rams when it matters the most.

You can find the Rams schedule here. The Rams have one of the toughest starts to a season that I can remember, so Matt Stafford and company better get acclimated quickly. The season kicks off against the Bears, Colts, Tampa Bay, Cardinals, and Seahawks.

With that said, there are so many good players for the Rams on both sides of the ball, and I go back to McVay opening up his offense to a level that we’ve yet to see. I think the Rams win the division but choke in the playoffs due to their offensive line.

Seahawks: 10-7

Seattle, in my opinion, has the most difficult schedule in the division. Seattle opens with the Colts, Titans, Vikings, 49ers, Rams, Steelers, and Saints. After playing the Jags, they get a bye week and then face the Packers, Cardinals, WFT, and 49ers again. After traveling to Houston, the Seahawks finish with the Rams, Bears (Lions), and then at Arizona.

Then you look at what the Seahawks did this offseason. I love the addition of D’Wayne Eskridge in the second round. Gabe Jackson at right guard will be a big addition, too. The offense won’t be an issue, but their defense could take a step back, especially now that they have to play quality teams.

Seattle took Darrell Taylor in the second round of the 2020 draft, but he misses all season with an injury, and he’s now playing SAM linebacker.

I didn’t see a prediction on Field Gulls, but if their quarterback plays this season how he finished last year, Seattle will be closer to the Cardinals (last place) than the Rams (first) in 2021. It will take typical Seahawk magic to finish better than 10-7.