NFC West Preview

NFC West – This division is probably one of the weakest in football (ironically, along with the AFC West). From top to bottom, there aren’t any teams that really wow me, nor do I expect any of them to represent the NFC in the Superbowl; however, somebody has to win the division.

San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers are the most intriguing team in the NFC West, because they parallel their rivals across the bay. Their receivers are solid, but young. They have a great, young tight end, a solid QB, strong running game, and very plausible defense. Frank Gore should benefit from Alex Smith’s efficiency and return to being the fantasy beast he was in 2006. A full year of Crabtree will also help take some pressure off Gore’s shoulders as well as keep eight men out of the box. Don’t sleep on the defense either, last year the Niners were 6th in opponent rushing yards (just 97 yards allowed per game). Projected record: 9-7

Seattle Seahawks – Pete Carroll is taking another stab at being an NFL head coach (and left USC crumbling in his absence). He will coach a few of his former players in Lofa Tutupu and Mike Williams. Tutupu has always been a solid pro; however, Williams has looked very good in his first two preseason games under his old head coach. This could be an interesting season for the Seahawks; however, don’t expect them to make much noise outside of a few games. I’m not sure that Carroll is sold on Hasselbeck being the franchise QB (to tell you the truth, neither am I). Projected record: 7-9

Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals lost all hope when their leader, Kurt Warner, retired; not to mention the fact that the team followed up by trading Anquan Boldin, their toughest receiver. Now the offense will fall on the shoulders of a disappointing Matt Leinhart, how well the team does will depend on his ability to run the offense (assuming he hasn’t already lost the job to Derek Anderson). On defense the Cardinals lost Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle - two of their best players. This could be a long season for Ken Wisenhunt and the Red Birds. Projected Record: 8-8

St. Louis Rams – The $50 million question is: “Can Bradford put up any respectable numbers without a viable number-one receiver to throw to?” (Although, for $50 million, I don’t think he cares who he’s throwing to.) Stephen Jackson is going to get over 1,000-yards and 10 TDs, but will he play 16 games? Doubtful. The Rams are going to be the doormat of this division; however, they’re only a few key pieces away from being an 8-win team. Unfortunately, most of those pieces are on the most important side of the ball, defense. Projected Record: 4-12

The bottom line is that this division is a two team race between the Cardinals and the 49ers until further notice (and by further notice, I mean the next 2-years; unless the Seahawks can pry Vincent Jackson away from San Diego). The Rams are doing the right thing by letting Bradford watch the first couple of regular season games from the sidelines. Eventually he’ll be the starter, but there’s no need to rush a guy coming off a major injury into an ass whooping. Hopefully Carroll can turn around a Seahawks franchise that took a stage dive since the 2005 Superbowl.

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401