I will be breaking down 2 divisions a week up until the start of the season. Today's is the last one..the NFC West and here is how I think it will go down: (note: these are in order of how we think they will finish and what their records will be)
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-5)
San Fran comes in after a great season and were possibly one fumble away from a Super Bowl appearance last season. Coach Jim Harbaugh made this team tough, turned Alex Smith into a real QB and gave this team a lot of hope. This season, they are even better. They brought in some new weapons for QB Alex Smith in WR’s Randy Moss and Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham and drafted a wide out in AJ Jenkins. They also brought in beast of a RB Brandon Jacobs and talented rookie RB LaMichael James. TE Vernon Davis is always a threat all over the field. And WR Michael Crabtree can be a force to wreckon with. And they still have RB Frank Gore and RB Kendall Hunter who looked great at times. Overall, this could be a very dangerous offense if Smith plays like he did last season.
On defense, there is no argument that they are at the top. DE Justin Smith had an impressive season and LB Aldon Smith had a breakout rookie season. LB Patrick Willis is a Pro Bowl tackling monster and CB Carlos Rogers returns after an impressive comeback season.
Overall, this team is right up there in the NFC and are a legit Super Bowl contender. I think it depends on how Alex Smith does. He has the weapons and a great defense. Can he make the plays needed and not make mistakes?
2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-8)
Seattle’s biggest decision this season is who to start at QB. They have a three-way battle. QB Matt Flynn I expect them to start because of the money they invested in him but they also have QB Tavaris Jackson who did a decent job last year and rookie QB Russell Wilson who played well in college could be used as well if needed. The Seahawks do have a decent core or talent to throw to. WR Doug Baldwin had a breakout year last season, Sidney Rice has the talent if the ball can go to him, WR Golden Tate still has a lot to prove and they have two good TE’s in Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow who they got in a trade from Tampa this off season. They also have recently acquired WR Terrel Owens as well. If RB Marshawn Lynch doesn’t miss too many games because of off field problems, he should be a force as well.
On defense, Seattle was looking for a pass rusher and think they landed a good one in their surprising pick of Bruce Irvin in this years draft. They also have Barrett Ruud at LB who had some great seasons for Tampa Bay and is trying to come back better. In the secondary is where their talent is with FS Earl Thomas and CB Marcus Trufant who both are Pro Bowl caliber players.
Overall, Seattle will most likely not make the playoffs or even make a run at the division. They will play well at times but also have their disappointing moments as well. If Matt Flynn plays well in a few years Seattle could be a playoff team.
3. ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-10)
Arizona is a team that is one player away from being able to make a serious playoff push…it’s the most important position on the field and it’s a position they haven’t filled yet but have a battle going on for it. Its QB. The battle between high paid Kevin Kolb and lesser known John Skelton. They also have a battle going on at RB with Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams who didn’t get to play last season due to injury but is looking great in training camp. Some positions are already filled with starters such as TE Todd Heap, WR Larry Fitzgerald and now rookie WR Michael Floyd.
On defense, Darnell Dockett leads the way on the front line. They also have a great secondary with safeties Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson and they tremendous talent of now 2nd year player Patrick Peterson. Peterson can play man to man and is a threat anytime he can get his hands on the ball such as kick and punt returns.
Overall, Arizona is a good team. If Kevin Kolb can play up to his big contract and make plays with his receiving threats this team could be the second best in the division and could land a playoff spot. If not, Arizona will have the record I gave them or worse.
4. ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-11)
QB Sam Bradford is hoping to be healthy for a season to see how this team will do under new coach Jeff Fisher. He also should be excited to have some weapons on offense. He has WR’s Danny Amendola, Austin Pettis, veteran signee and a player trying to prove he can still get it done in former Giant Steve Smith, and rookie wideout Brian Quick. There is also TE Lance Kendricks who in a few years could be a household name, RB is Steven Jackson and when he is on the field, all of the defenses try to focus on him whether they can stop him or not.
On defense, they have high hopes they can get the job done. With newly acquired and former Tennessee CB Cortland Finegan who played under Fisher there should be much help in a weak secondary. They have two great pass rushers in DE’s Robert Quinn and Chris Long. They are slowly piecing together a young defense and hoping to have a decent one in the next couple of years.
Overall, Jeff Fisher brings some hope to the Rams. But they still need a serious talent upgrade to make a move in this division. The other three teams are way ahead of them. There are a lot of people who won’t agree with my assessment of ST Louis. I have seen many commentators say this is the team to watch. I would have to say they didn’t look at their roster close enough.
What do you guys think of my predictions? Did I rank a team too high? Too low? Give me your thoughts!
No comments:
Post a Comment