Week 3 NFC West predictions: 49ers dominate, Rams pull off upset

NFC West teams split their games in Week 2 with the San Francisco 49ers improving to 2-0, while the Seattle Seahawks picked up their first win of the season. Here are the predictions for their Week 3 slate of games.  

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants: This is simply a great matchup for the 49ers on paper. 

Not only are the 49ers off to a strong 2-0 start, dominating Pittsburgh and then sneaking by Los Angeles in Week 2, but they boast one of the best rosters in the league and also have the advantage of playing an underwhelming Giants team at home on Thursday night.

Not only do home teams typically have a significant advantage on Thursday night games (winning around 60% of their games since the 2012 season), but the Giants may not have their best and most dangerous offensive weapon in running back Saquon Barkley. 

The Giants have not officially ruled Barkley out, but even if he does play there is almost no chance he is going to be 100% as he is coming off a sprained ankle in the Giants' come-from-behind win last Sunday. 

The 49ers are one of the best teams in football and have the type of dominant running game that can wear defenses down and a smothering defense of their own that can take over games. Now they open their home schedule with what should be another convincing win against a Giants team that has been blown out (40-0) and needed an historic comeback against the league's worst team (Arizona). 

PREDICITION: 49ers, 34-14

Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks: After getting blown out by Los Angeles in their home opener, the Seahawks needed a bounce back game in Week 2 and they got it with an overtime win in Detroit. They have an opportunity on Sunday to really get their season back on track and start stacking wins against a Carolina team that is still trying to find its way.

Geno Smith found his rhythm in the Week 2 win and has his full complement of wide receivers with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal. They will be going up against a Carolina defense that has held its own over the first two weeks — especially against the pass — and has allowed just 281 yards per game. 

As good as the Seahawks passing game looked in Week 2, the Carolina matchup might be a good opportunity to get running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet on track. As good as the Panthers have been against the pass, their run defense has struggled a little more over the first two games. 

The Seahawks defense should also be able to feast on rookie quarterback Bryce Young who is still trying to get his feel for the NFL game. 

PREDICTION: Seahawks, 27-10

Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals: There might not be a bigger mismatch in the NFL this week (or in the NFL all season, for that matter). The Cowboys have been the NFL's most dominant team through two games, outscoring their first two opponents by a 70-10 margin, while Arizona has what might be the the worst roster in the league on paper. It is not a surprise that Dallas is nearly a two touchdown favorite despite playing on the road. 

While the Cardinals have held their own against the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, they are going to get an entirely different challenge on Sunday. Given how dominant Dallas' defense has been through the first two games, specifically edge rusher Micah Parsons, it might be a shock if the Cardinals are even able to generate a touchdown drive, let alone keep the game close. 

The Cardinals offense, led by veteran journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs, is averaging just 294 yards per game and is going up against a Cowboys defense that has made life miserable for Daniel Jones and Zach Wilson over the first two weeks. 

PREDICTION: Cowboys 34-6

Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals: The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2023 season with relatively low expectations after winning just five games a year ago, but they have been better than expected through two games. They routed Seattle on the road in Week 1, and kept their Week 2 game in San Francisco to a one-score game. 

Aaron Donald is back to healthy and is making his presence felt in the middle of the defensive line, while Matthew Stafford is showing that he can still play like a franchise quarterback. 

They go into Cincinnati on Monday night for a Super Bowl LVI rematch. At the start of the season this may have been penciled in as a Bengals win, but a lot has changed over the past few weeks. The Bengals are not only 0-2, but there is a real possibility that franchise quarterback Joe Burrow not be available for Monday's game due to a lingering calf injury. 

If he is unable to play it is worth noting that head coach Zac Taylor is only 4-19 in his career without Burrow. Even if Burrow does play he will clearly not be 100% and that has severely limited a once dominant Bengals offense. This is a great opportunity for the Rams to keep surprising and steal an early upset. 

PREDICTION: Rams, 20-14