Week 11 NFC West predictions: Seahawks repay Rams favor, 49ers get back on track

Thanks in part to Kyler Murray’s return in Arizona and a remarkable comeback performance by Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC West went 3-0 in Week 10. (The Rams were off.) This is the forecast for Week 11.

Arizona Cardinals (2-8) vs. Houston Texans (5-4)

Trying to slow down MVP candidate and Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is expected to throw for 4,960 yards, is be the Cardinals’ main challenge. That would break Andrew Luck’s NFL rookie record (4,374), which he set when playing for the Colts in 2012.

The defense of Arizona is giving up 26.3 points per game (ranked 28th in the NFL) and 342 yards per game (ranked 22nd in the NFL). It is also among the least effective defenses in terms of eliciting takeaways (10). More suffering: the Cardinals are facing one of the strongest ball-protection offenses (eight turnovers). Houston’s offensive is sure to have another successful day as a result.

PREDICTION: Texans, 35-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)

With Tampa Bay having one of the weakest pass defenses in the league, Purdy should have an exceptionally huge day. Purdy has completed the last two games with 661 yards through the air, in spite of some recent problems.

The Bucs are giving up 266.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL, and in three of their last five games, they have given up more than 310 passing yards. They won’t have enough staff to cover every weapon used by the 49ers.

In addition to having one of the lowest scoring offenses in the league (19.8 points per game, good for 22nd place in the NFL), the Buccaneers will be playing on the road against one of the top defenses in the league. The Buccaneers will suffer greatly from that combination.

PREDICTION: 49ers 31-14

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

Matthew Stafford, the starting quarterback for the Rams, is anticipated to return for this contest, and he will be a distinct improvement over backup Brett Rypien. Stafford, though, is in decline. The Rams are 6-11 in his starts since the 2022 season began, and his stats are mediocre (18 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions).

The Rams defense, which ranks among the worst in the NFL (22nd in scores allowed and 20th in yards allowed), will also face difficulties this week. Los Angeles lacks the secondary depth to cover the two-headed monster at running back (Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker), as well as D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 34-17