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NFL analyst picks Cardinals to win NFC West in 2025

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated May 1, 2025 3:47 PM ET

GLENDALE – The popular choice for a team to make a jump next season is the Arizona Cardinals, after one of the most complete offseason in the NFL. Coming off its second 4-13 season, the franchise exceeded expectations doubling its win total in 2024 and gave hope to the front office to spend the money to contend.

General manager Monti Ossenfort spent big money on edge rusher Josh Sweat and brought in veterans like Calais Campbell to elevate the roster to the next level. Ossenfort followed that up with a stellar draft class getting top defensive talents like Walter Nolen and Will Johnson that gives NFL experts not only confidence to make the postseason, but to win the NFC West.

CBS Sports Leger Douzable on why Cardinals are the favorites:

"I believe the Cardinals will win the NFC West [this year]."

–@LegerDouzable pic.twitter.com/yBuI4DeVjO

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) April 30, 2025

Douzable noted that the significant upgrades on the defensive end is enough to convince him that Arizona can make the jump. Head coach Jonathan Gannon inherited a roster that was lacking premier talent but still was able to compete and double the win total from the first to the second year. The eight-year NFL veteran places a lot of pressure on quarterback Kyler Murray to meet his expectation to win the division.

The NFC West is touted as one of the toughest divisions in the league. However, this past offseason saw major changes throughout all the teams in the division. The Seattle Seahawks traded starting quarterback Geno Smith, while the San Francisco 49ers lost 17 players in free agency.

The Cardinals biggest competition to win its first division title since 2015 is the Los Angeles Rams. Last year’s NFC West champs lost released star wide receiver Cooper Kupp but replaced him with three-time All-Pro Davante Adams. After starting 2024 1-4, the Rams won nine of their last 12 games and enter next season with the confidence to repeat.

Despite Douzable picking the Cardinals to win the NFC west, the franchise is still a long shot to achieve that, as most sportsbooks have it third in odds to win the division at +550. Arizona is used to being the underdogs during Gannon’s tenure as head coach, and similar to his first two years, will look to pull up the upset.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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