Each week, we’re going to try and be better. To some degree, we had success with our NFC West Bold Predictions in Week 7. Of course, though, we want to be better this week. With that in mind, here are two bold predictions for each NFC West team as we head into Week 7.
An Upset in San Francisco
Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Entering Sunday night’s matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers, the home team is expected to have a slight edge. Unfortunately, I don’t feel as confident. The 49ers have done a great job managing injuries and are now 4-2, but this is the week they’re likely to crash. The Falcons have the league’s best passing defense with just 139 yards allowed per game. Christian McCaffrey hasn’t gotten going on the ground, and this isn’t going to be the week.
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CMC Catches 10
Oct 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs for a gain during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While Christian McCaffrey is only averaging 3.1 yards per carry this season, he’s a lot better as a receiver. Through six games, McCaffrey has 46 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns. This week will be a tough one for the San Francisco offense, so I’m expecting at least 10 receptions from McCaffrey, and Mac Jones looks his way from a dump-off perspective.
Adams Turns Back the Clock
Sep 28, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is hugged by head coach Sean McVay as time runs out against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It has been a season of mixed results for Davante Adams. In Week 2, he did catch six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, but there are also games like last week when he finished with four catches for 39 yards. Now, with Puka Nacua sidelined, the Rams will need to lean on Adams. With 55 targets, that hasn’t been the problem, but efficiency has been, as he’s finished with just 26 receptions. Look for a monster game this week where Adams catches eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Higbee Gets Back to the End Zone
Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) carries the ball as Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) defends in the third quarter in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
With no Puka Nacua, there’s a target void in the Rams’ offense. While Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington will have a role, I expect Matthew Stafford to rely on Tyler Higbee once again. Now healthy, he had his best game of the season on Sunday with four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Let’s go with another touchdown and 60 yards this week.
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A Quarterback Controversy Brewing?
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
At this point, it appears that Kyler Murray will miss another week with his foot injury. That means Jacoby Brissett will be under center for Arizona. After Brissett threw for 327 yards last week, the immediate talk is that the starter’s job will be Murray’s when he’s healthy. I don’t doubt that, but if Brissett has another strong game (greater than 250 passing yards), will Murray’s inevitable return be short-lived? I’m thinking it will be.
Jones Keeps it Up
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) makes a reception against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Where did five catches for 79 yards for Zay Jones come from? With Jacoby Brissett back under center and Marvin Harrison likely out with a concussion, Jones is back in a front and center role for Arizona. Let’s look for a similar performance, but this time he finds the end zone as well.
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JSN is Human
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates as he crosses the goal line after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter in an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
At this point, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become a cheat code. He’s already up to 696 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season on 42 receptions. At one point, Smith-Njigba has to be mortal and not have a 100-yard receiving game, right? With the Texans ranked fifth with 175 passing yards allowed per game, is this the week?
Another Rough Home Game for Seattle
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 20-12.
Overall, it’s been a solid season for the Seattle Seahawks with their 4-2 record, but they began with a rough home loss to the San Francisco 49ers. My expectation is that there will be a similar result this week as the Seahawks face a Houston Texans team that is ranked 1st with just 12.2 points allowed per game. At least, with the Seahawks allowing 19.5 points per game, it will be a low-scoring affair.
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These are some bold predictions, takeaways, power rankings, and report card grades for NFL teams:https://lists.thebiglead.com/author/loulanders/