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Mark Cannizzaro previews the NFC West as The Post gives division-by-division breakdowns ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Coach: Pete Carroll

2020 record: 11-5

U/U wins: 10.5

Key additions: G Gabe Jackson, DE Kerry Hyder Jr., WR D’Wayne Eskridge, DT Al Woods, CB Tre Brown, TE Gerald Everett, CB Ahkello Witherspoon

Key losses: CB Shaquill Griffin, WR David Moore, RB Carlos Hyde, TE Greg Olsen, LB K.J. Wright, DT Jarran Reed, CB Quinton Dunbar


  Russell Wilson will be hoping to thrive with new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Getty Images Russell Wilson will be hoping to thrive with new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Getty Images

First-and-goal: QB Russell Wilson and WR DK Metcalf are one of the most potent duos in the game and lead one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. But the offense stalled in the second half of the 2020 season and led to a one-and-done playoffs and the firing of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. As with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, there was discontent from Wilson. Enter new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Let’s see how the QB and the new OC mesh. Let’s also see how S Jamal Adams performs now that he finally has gotten his fat contract. He’s a terrific talent who never seems altogether content. Perhaps the new contract will do that for him.

Fourth-and-long: Cornerback is a position to watch here. The Seahawks used free agency and the draft to bring in Witherspoon and Brown to compete with D.J. Reed and Tre Flowers for starting roles. Witherspoon and Reed figure to end up as the starters, but not locks.

Cannizzaro’s call: 12-5. Wilson, Metcalf and the offense have a big year under the leadership of the new OC.

2. Los Angeles Rams

Coach: Sean McVay

2020 record: 10-6

O/U wins: 10

Key additions: QB Matthew Stafford, WR DeSean Jackson, RB Sony Michel

Key losses: QB Jared Goff, DL Michael Brockers, S John Johnson, CB Troy Hill, C Austin Blythe, LB Samson Ebukam, DL Morgan Fox, LS Jake McQuaide


  Matthew Stafford has swapped the losing culture of Detroit for the sunshine — and winning ways — of Los Angeles. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images Matthew Stafford has swapped the losing culture of Detroit for the sunshine — and winning ways — of Los Angeles. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

First-and-goal: Goff’s time with the Rams began to get a little stale last season. Enter Stafford, who has to feel utterly rejuvenated to get out of the losing culture of Detroit to be paired with the high-energy McVay and a team that’s had four consecutive winning seasons, including three playoff berths. It feels like a great marriage. The Rams had the NFL’s top defense in 2020 thanks to All-Pros Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Both return, though coordinator Brandon Staley is gone to coach the Chargers, along with four defensive starters and several key assistants.

Fourth-and-long: The loss of RB Cam Akers for the season to a torn Achilles prompted the Rams to trade for Michel from New England. Michel will pair with Darrell Henderson to try replacing Akers’ production. Among the defensive starters the Rams must replace is Johnson, their starting strong safety and defensive signal-caller last season. Taylor Rapp is the expected new starter, but he’s had injury problems and is inexperienced. The Rams also must find a new starting nickel back to replace Hill, with David Long Jr. and rookie Robert Rochell in the mix.

Cannizzaro’s call: 11-6. The Rams should challenge for a third NFC West title under McVay. How much better Stafford is than Goff was will be the key.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Coach: Kyle Shanahan

2020 record: 6-10

O/U wins: 10.5

Key additions: QB Trey Lance, C Alex Mack, DE Samson Ebukam, DT Maurice Hurst, RB Trey Sermon, G Aaron Banks

Key losses: CB Richard Sherman, DE Kerry Hyder, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Jordan Reed, QB Nick Mullens

First-and-goal: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle and pass-rusher Nick Bosa are back and healthy after being lost early in the season, which sabotaged 2020 for the 49ers. The question is whether Shanahan truly believes in Garoppolo considering the three first-round draft picks he used to trade up for Lance. Shanahan has insisted Garoppolo will start, but many in San Francisco appear to be ready for the rookie. Whomever is behind center will have weapons to throw to, including Kittle and WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Fourth-and-long: How will the defense fare without the high-energy Robert Saleh, now the Jets’ head coach? The defense lost S Tarvarius Moore to injury in the offseason, and DE Dee Ford is returning from a back injury. The challenge for new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is finding a pass rush.

Cannizzaro’s call: 10-7. Not a total believer in Garoppolo and wonder if, after a slow start, 49ers fans aren’t calling for Lance by Halloween.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Coach: Kliff Kingsbury

2020 record: 8-8

O/U wins: 8.5

Key additions: DL J.J Watt, WR A.J. Green, K Matt Prater, C Rodney Hudson, G Brian Winters, QB Colt McCoy, LB Zaven Collins, WR Rondale Moore, RB James Conner

Key losses: CB Patrick Peterson, LB Haason Reddick, RB Kenyan Drake, WR Trent Sherfield, TE Dan Arnold, DL Angelo Blackson, C Mason Cole.

First-and-goal: QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins must rekindle the magic they had early in 2020 before the team lost five of its final seven games. The addition of Green to the mix is intriguing. The defense improved as the season went on under second-year coordinator Vance Joseph and should continue to get better — particularly with the offseason acquisition of Watt.


  Head coach Kliff Kingsbury, entering his third season with the Cardinals, has yet to make the playoffs. Christian Petersen/Getty Images Head coach Kliff Kingsbury, entering his third season with the Cardinals, has yet to make the playoffs. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Fourth-and-long: Who will tote the rock is in question for the Cards, with Chase Edmonds returning and the addition of Connor, the former Steeler. Tight end is a question mark with Arnold gone via free agency. Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels are the returnees.

Cannizzaro’s call: 9-8. There is pressure on Kingsbury, who is getting to the point at which he needs to make the playoffs soon. The problem is, his team is the fourth-best in a four-team division.

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