NFC Preview - West

The NFC has become the power conference of the NFL with four of the last five Super Bowl champions coming from the blue pro bowl team. The conference resurgence has been led by powerful aerial attacking offenses the likes of which have not been seen since Dan Marino's heyday. Guys like Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Matt Stafford, Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan are the poster boys for the "new" NFL that protects QB's and favors receivers on every interference flag thrown. Once again the NFC fields a solid core of teams with Super Bowl aspirations, but all of them must survive the 16 game regular season and come out on top of their division to even have a chance (yes there are two wild card spots). Let's take a look at each NFC division.

Arizona Cardinals

The NFC West is the exception to the strong corps of NFC quarterbacks.  Look no further than the Arizona Cardinals as they have spent money and draft picks in search of a viable starter, yet they are left with a battle between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.  Neither has been a reliable QB in the long term and up through their third preseason game neither had separated themselves from pack.  It is a frustrating thing to watch as week in and week out Larry Fitzgerald is among the best WR's in the league, but balls go over him, behind him, into the ground, and every other direction except his hands.  The Cardinals do have some players that have run the ball well at times.  Beanie Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling have been consistent when they are not injured, but keeping them on the field has become difficult.  Arizona's defense is not as terrbile as last season's record may suggest.  They generally make so big plays to keep the team in games, but again offensive ineptitude left them wanting.  DE Calais Campbell (7 sacks) and second year DB Patrick Peterson and LB Sam Acho are the backbone to a young defense that will continue to improve and continue to give the Cardinals an opportunity to win games in a weak division.

San Francisco 49ers

Last season's division dominating team was the 49ers.  The Niners were the only team over .500 with an impressive 13 wins.  First year coach Jim Harbaugh brought a fresh defensive mentality to the team that carried over to a strong offensive output as well.  The defense should be a league leader once again this season with stalwarts like Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis back in the picture.  The Niners had 42 sacks and 23 interceptions that swung nearly every game easily in their favor.  What really vaulted the team into a strong playoff run was the transformation of Alex Smith and the offense.  Frank Gore was a running force with over 1,200 yards and Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis found their strides as worthy receiving targets.  Alex Smith three for over 3,000 yards for the first time and kept is Int's to 5.  At times it is hard watch Smith and believe he is an elite QB in the NFL, but having the same coaching staff and offensive system for two years in a row should definitely help his development.  If the Niners can even somewhat resemble last season's team, they should run away with the division again and they only problem they will have is that their new stadium is all the way down in Santa Clara.

Seattle Seahawks

A strong home defense and Marshawn Lynch are about the only two bright spots on an underwhelming Seattle Seahawks team.  Two new QB's, Russell Wilson (rookie) and Matt Flynn (first time potential starter) are battling for the starting position.  Neither is a proven NFL performer so the offense will without question have it's ups and downs this season.  Lynch will once again be relied upon heavily to literally and figuratively carry the Seahawks to more than 7 wins this season.  Pete Carroll has a lot to prove this season as he has taken risks on players and tried to win in the NFL with a more collegiate approach to his team.  One area the team can build upon is the defensive unit that was 9th in total defense and had over 30 Sacks and 20 Int's.  DE Chris Clemons and DB Brandon Browner must continue to play at a high level young guys like Bruce Irvin and Bobby Wagner need to contribute right away for this team to compete week in and week out.  The NFC West does not have a clear cut favorite to challenge the Niners.  The Seahawks can be this team with a stingy D and an improved passing game.  This may prove to be difficult with a new QB and unproven skill players.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams may have the most room for improvement right off the bat with the return of young QB Sam Bradford and a pro bowl running back in Steven Jackson. The biggest thing St. Louis can do is keep their team healthy. This young team was descimated by injury and had no chance to recover all of last season. Danny Amendola, Lance Kendricks, and (the other) Steve Smith should give Bradford some nice targets and a spark to an offense that withered away in 2011. Bradford has had high expectations since entering the league from Oklahoma. He has lived up to them much of the time, but through his own injury battle last year showed signs that he was only a second year QB. This past summer has been big for his development with a full training camp and more time under his offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, as well as time to heal his bum ankle. The Rams must do better than 18 total touchdowns for the season and all signs point to them doing so. The one bright spot that the Rams can build on is their star DE, Chris Long. Long racked up 13 sacks and has become an unstoppable force on the Rams defensive line.  St. Louis is not primed for a deep playoff run, but they did drastically underachieve at only 2 wins.  Expect them to be more competitive in a, as stated many time, weak division.

Final Standings

1. San Francisco 49ers 10-6
2. St. Louis Rams 7-9
3. Seattle Seahawks 6-10
4. Arizona Cardinals 5-11