The NFC West suffered its worst week ever in Week 9, accumulating a mere six points while falling to three losses. In their respective blowout losses, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams each tallied three points, whereas the Cardinals were shut out. The outline of Week 10 follows.
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) versus San Francisco 49ers (5-3). The 49ers, who have lost three consecutive games and are attempting to get quarterback Brock Purdy back on track, scheduled a bye week. Nevertheless, their situation does not appear to be bright.
An always-challenging journey for a West Coast team, San Francisco must travel across the country for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the top team in the NFL. The 49ers’ matchup obstacle will be a Jaguars defense that is tied for the NFL lead in takeaways with 18 and is allowing 19.5 points per game.
Purdy’s primary concern throughout San Francisco’s losing skid has been football protection. Five interceptions are in total for him.
PREDICTION: Jaguars, 28-20
Atlanta Falcons (4-5) versus Arizona Cardinals (1-8): Jaguars, 28-20. The Cardinals, who embarrassed themselves last week by casting an unprepared Clayton Tune to the wolves, have activated quarterback Kyler Murray and are anticipating his 2023 debut.
An offense in dire need of a playmaker and someone who can consistently pass the ball to Marquise Brown (44 yards, 42 receptions) will embrace this change.
Cardinals supporters ought to temper their anticipations regarding Murray, who is nearing recovery from a severe knee injury and has not participated in a live NFL contest in nearly eleven months.
An adjustment period is inevitable; however, despite their faults, the Falcons have one of the most effective pass defenses in the league (197.1 YPG). Although Atlanta’s offense may not produce spectacular results, it will secure a narrow victory in a low-scoring contest against Murray, who will almost surely be rusty.
PREDICTION: Falcons, 17-14
The Commanders of Washington (4-5) host the Seahawks of Seattle (5-3). Following its performance against the Ravens, in which it recorded six first downs and three points, Seattle encounters a defense that ranks 28th in yards against (368.9 YPG) and 30th in points against per game (27.2).
Particularly inconsistent over the past month has been quarterback Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks, who appears to have regressed after a stellar 2022 campaign. (His percentage of passing completions has decreased from 69.8 last season to 65.2 this season.)
A “get right” type of performance is warranted in a home game against one of the league’s worst defensive units, which recently traded two important starters (Chase Young and Montez Sweat) on the defensive line.
At running back, the Seahawks’ dual-headed behemoth (Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet) should be able to dominate the game by running through the Commanders.
PREDICTION: Seahawks, 34-14
