This week I’ll take a peak at the NFC West and try and give you the least erroneous idea as to how this season shall go for the 49ers, Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams. Worst division in the NFL? Probably. But this year should completely dispel that notion.
Division Winners, San Fransisco 49ers, 10-6. This year in my eyes seems to be a make or break year for the 49ers as they have an astonishing amount of talent. Frank Gore, frankly, scares me. Patrick Willis is probably the best linebacker in the NFL right now. Vernon Davis stepped up in a big way last year and is one of the best tight ends in the league and it seems the 49ers are finally set with Alex Smith as their quarterback not to mention their young gun WR Michael Crabtree looking to shine (phew). In their draft they solidified their offencive line by picking Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati in the first round which should help Gore not only find the gaps but also hopefully stay healthy. Finally the coach, Mike Singletary terrifies me in a Bill Belichick kind of way, and that’s a good thing.
Matt Hasselbeck: Perhaps only a little busted up?
Division Runners Up, Seattle Seahawks, 9-7. It seems everybody was praising the Seahawks draft day decisions and I have to join them. Grabbing tackle Russell Okung and then safety Earl Thomas in the first round immediately gave their team some credibility before also grabbing receiver Golden Tate in the second round. New coach Pete Carroll will undoubtedly have some surprises for us throughout the season but the biggest questions with the Seahawks are how the carries will be split between their tailbacks (hopefully the outstanding Leon Washington will get the lion’s share) and who if anybody is heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck?
Then, Arizona Cardinals, 7-9. I have already said it here but the Cardinals cannot be heading into the 2010 season with the same expectations they had a season ago. They simply lost too many big name players including Kurt Warner (who retired) and Anquan Boldin (traded to the Ravens). Although I don’t think Matt Leinhart will crash and burn as much as some people might suggest I do expect Arizona to opt for the run a lot more than previously. This is a good chance for Beanie Wells to shine and perhaps a new style Arizona will surprise us by the end of the regular season.
Steven Jackson: People are honestly surprised when I tell them the Rams actually have a really good player.
Finally. St Louis Rams, 4-12. St Louis are clearly in a rebuilding phase this season, and like Detroit in 2009 they are starting by drafting the best quarterback available. Sam Bradford will perhaps have a better rookie season than the 2009 QB rookies but don’t expect him to light the world on fire until at least 2011. As it is right now it looks like the Rams are about to lose their star safety Atogwe to free agency but I should remind you that they still do have a star in the ever productive Steven Jackson. Who it seems is actually injured (should be ok by season’s start). Woops.
The NFC West will rise this season into a competitive force and its not outlandish to suggest two teams (probably the 49ers and Seahawks) could make the playoffs. Expect some fierce competition this season within the division, especially between the Seahawks and Cardinals but the 49ers should dominate.
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