NFC West Division Predictions
NFL is right around the corner and many teams have made improvements that could push them over the top. This article will outline the different divisions and what teams have the best chance at finishing out on top. The football teams will be listed from the top at the best team and work itself down to the bottom teams in the division.
NFC West
This is the easiest team to predict to win their division. Although the Arizona Cardinals made major improvements to give the Seahawks a run for their money it is hard to see anyone in this division beating out this well balanced football team. They played brilliantly throughout the whole season, but their performance in the Super Bowl, for their sake, better be just one bad game. The Steelers kept the Seahawks out of sync and they had too many miscues on offense coupled with untimely penalties led to their loss. However, I feel like the Seahawks’ poor performance will only make them try harder to reach their goal this year.
Pros
The Seahawks re-signed the best running back in the league last year in Shaun Alexander. With an astounding 27 total rushing touchdowns Alexander tore up defenses and he couldn’t be stopped. The Seahawks have to hope that Alexander doesn’t become complacent after receiving his big contract in the off-season. However, Alexander will probably have a monster season as the Seahawks are returning most of the same offense that made him so successful last year.
Balance is critical in the NFL today and the Seahawks definitely boast it. With Alexander leading the running game the Seahawks also have a great air attack. Matt Hasselbeck is an efficient quarterback that has blossomed into a star. Hasselbeck used to be a backup to Brett Favre in
Green Bay
, but has come onto his own in
Seattle
. Although the Seahawks receiving core has no true superstars, there are plenty of good ones that can spread the defense and forces opposing defenses to focus on everyone. The Seahawks may have lost Joe Jurevicius in the off season to the Browns, but they added Nate Burleson from the Vikings. With Darrell Jackson primed for a big year after an injury plagued season the year before and Bobby Engram ready to take on a bigger role, the Seahawks will attack defenses through the air as well as the ground.
Defense wins championships and both Seattle and the Steelers had great defenses. With most of their pieces on defense coming back for this year,
Seattle
stands to improve on a defense that was ranked 5th in overall rush defense last year. Acquisitions such as Julian Peterson from the 49ers will only bolster a linebacker group that includes sensational sophomore Lofa Tatupu. The Seahawks could really use some additional help in their secondary, but for the most part this defense will be solid all year.
Cons
The Seahawks lost an integral part of their offensive line when Steven Hutchison left for the Vikings for more money. Their pass defense was only ranked 22nd in the NFL, and they can get better defensively. One other thing that worries me is that the Seahawks’ receivers are coming back from injury plagued seasons. Darrell Jackson got hurt early and missed most of the season and Nate Burleson was not the same receiver last year and underachieved when many people said he was primed for a breakout season.
Most people here probably don’t believe in curses but I had to throw this in. Shaun Alexander is on the cover of the Madden 07 cover and while I know most people including me don’t believe in curses, this one has always come true so far. Every athlete who graced the cover of a Madden game has suffered some sort of setback the following year. Now this is obviously not a big deal and I’m probably just nitpicking because this team doesn’t have many holes.
2.
Arizona
Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are great at underachieving. They were supposed to make the playoffs last year, but got off to a miserable start and didn’t improve as the year went on. With an offensive line that can’t pass protect, and won’t open up holes for the running back, the Cardinals still have a lot of problems, but in this weak division the Cardinals have a shot at making the playoffs if things go the right way.
Pros
The Cardinals definitely have the offensive pieces to make a run deep into year. Their running game last year was horrifically bad, but they may have signed the right person to change that. Edgerrin James is a great running back who had great years with the Indianapolis Colts, and he brings his downhill running style to the Cardinals. Last year the Cardinals second round draft pick, J.J. Arrington, was a bust and Marcell Shipp wasn’t much better. Without a proven running game the Cardinals were forced to throw the ball way too much and they became predictable. With James leading the ground attack, opponents will not be able to focus on stopping the air attack.
On paper, the Cardinals offense can not be stopped. They could possibly have the best receiver tandem in all of football. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both had fabulous seasons last year. They both had over 1400 yards receiving and proved their consistency throughout the year. Kurt Warner is the quarterback throwing to them and although he seems to get hurt too often, he can still throw the ball efficiently. Warner has the arm that can make all the throws and he definitely has the receivers to throw to, so if he stays healthy expect a monster season from Warner.
Cons
As good as their offense has been last year, the Cardinals have an average defense. Although they don’t give up many yards, they give up too many points ranking 26th in the NFL in points allowed last year. Hopefully with another year under their belt the Cardinal defense is ready to take another step and become better.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals have an offensive line that needs work. They can’t protect Warner and the past few seasons have not been good for Warner. He has not been able to avoid the injury bug and has missed games and I don’t think this is the war he’s finally able to stay healthy. The offensive line can’t open up any running room either, as last year the Cardinals abandoned the running game entirely due to its inadequacy. Now while their coach Dennis Green has promised that their line will be more effective, I still believe they are too inexperienced to have a great season. Hopefully Edgerrin James is a good enough runner to not have a great season, even with a mediocre offensive line.
3.
St. Louis
Rams
Gone are the St. Louis Rams of old when they boasted one of the best offenses the NFL has ever seen. Although the old days may be gone, they still have some very good offensive pieces to work with. Their new coach Scott Linehan is devoted to balancing out their offense and vowed that he would run the ball more often.
Pros
The St. Louis Rams have a top notch receiving core in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. They also have Kevin Curtis who can spread out the field with his speed, but may not have the bulk to be an every down superstar receiver. Although Marc Bulger was hurt for a large portion of last year, expect a big year for him as he is an accurate quarterback who doesn’t make many mistakes and knows how to get the ball to his receivers. Torry Holt is one of the best receivers in the NFL with great speed and hands. He runs precise routes and knows how to get into the end zone even if he’s constantly double teamed.
You can’t have balance in an offense without a running game and the Rams have a running back primed for a huge year. Stephen Jackson was primed for a big season last year, but he was way too inconsistent. Some games he was brilliant with huge yards and touchdowns, but there were games where he was held for under 50 yards rushing and that is unacceptable for a running back that succeeds the great Marshall Faulk. However, with the Scott Linehan vowing that he will make the Rams’ attack more balanced has the perfect power running back in Stephen Jackson to do it.
Cons
The Rams’ defense has not been good these past few years. The Rams lost to the Niners twice last year and gave up 20+ points to a team that has no offense. They don’t have the defensive pieces to make a big impact this year, and they have to hope that their offense carries them through to wins. The Rams ranked last or close to last in almost every significant defense statistic as a team. They clearly need to get better fast.
Even the Rams’ offense has question marks. Marc Bulger is coming off injury plagued seasons and can’t seem to stay healthy for a whole season. Isaac Bruce is now too old to be considered a go to receiver and was injured for most of last year. We have yet to see what kind of an impact he will have when he returns. Stephen Jackson also has to become more consistent or else their running game will suffer and their offense stagnant. This team has too many holes in their overall game, and this is why they will finish second to last in their division.
4.
San Francisco
49ers
The
San Francisco
49ers were one of the worst teams last year. Going 4-12 last season the 49ers used to dominate this division, but that is the case no longer. They are now the worst team in this division with a stagnant offense and a defense that is average but not great.
Pros
As bad as the 49ers have been in the past few years, it seems they are finally turning the corner to their rebuilding process. They have a promising running back in Frank Gore and with the departure of Barlow to the Jets the 49ers have proclaimed that Gore is their future. Even with an undermanned offensive line, Gore rushed for great yards last season and has looked much better then Barlow. And Alex Smith may have looked horrid at times last year, but he has Norv Turner to help tutor him into the offense that made Turner such a genius in the NFL. With the 49ers first round pick this year they took Vernon Davis who was widely considered an athletic freak who adds a receiving presence and a mismatch.
Veteran leadership was a focal point in the off season for the growth of Alex Smith and the 49ers did just that by nabbing Trent Dilfer away from the Browns. What this does is give Smith someone to tutor him about how to play the position of quarterback.
On the defensive side of the field the 49ers lost their former All Pro linebacker Julian Peterson, but replaced him through the draft with a converted defensive end to linebacker. Manny Lawson has looked good in the preseason with great reaction to the ball and adds some life to their run defense. The 49ers look to be on track with some young talent, but they have a lot of ways to go before returning to their elite form.
Cons
Now while the 49ers may be making good progress, they are still young and don’t have enough talent to win games consistently. With Gore the focal point of their running attack the 49ers are on there way to becoming a better team, but they don’t have the wide receivers to scare teams away from loading up the box. During the off season they also lost Brandon Lloyd after he wanted out of
San Francisco
and then was traded to the Redskins.
The offensive line needs improvement as well, because they can’t pick up their blocks enough to give Alex Smith time to throw the ball. Barlow had a hard time running the ball as well, because there were no holes to run through. On the defensive side the 49ers don’t have the cornerbacks or safeties to stop the pass and I don’t see them getting any better soon. This is why the 49ers will finish last in this division.
