NFC WEST 2011 Predictions

This is the last set of predictions! Which is darn good because the season starts today!! YESSSS. My life is officially once again complete. On that note, I will be posting game by game predictions later today -- probably much closer to kick off time! 

NFC WEST

1)      St. Louis Rams

This is no Greatest Show on Turf, but they can win the division. They almost did last year. Sam Bradford will flourish with Josh McDaniels there. With Jackson still going strong, the run support is there. Remember, this is the worst division in football – defenses will give up big runs. Wide receiver is a wild card here. Mike Sims-Walker could the answer, but the return of Clayton and Avery will doubtless help as well. I think Amendola will breakout Welker-like. At TE Kendricks and Hoomanawanul could create major matchup problems. Defensively, Spagnuolo has a heavy hand in things, but it’s Ken Flajule’s show to run. The rush is solid – a carryover from Spagnuolo’s New York years. Long and Hall are both decent ends that demand attention. Laurinaitis has become the unquestioned leader of this unit, but needs his supporting LBs to, well, support. In the secondary the loss of Oshiomoho Atogwe hurts. But Bartell and Fletcher are decent at the corners. Finding a replacement for Atogwe is key.

Overall, the Rams are on an upward trend.

2)      Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald wanted Kevin Kolb so badly  that he put him up in his own house, with his own room, for a few days before he was actually traded there. Larry is on the right track. Warner showed that this team just needs a starting QB to put all the pieces together. At running back Beanie Wells needs to prove himself a little bit. The departure of Hightower puts more pressure on him to perform. The drafting of Ryan Williams (2^nd round) might provide some support here. The defense must improve with new coordinator Ray Horton. Hopefully he will bring a little LeBeau magic to the desert. DL Williams, Dockett and Campbell and are the strength of the unit. No doubt. Don’t know any of the linebackers? No one else does either. Porter and Haggans, the two main starters last year, are old. The other two spots are more of a tossup. Wilson (SS) and Rhodes (FS) and Peterson (CB) will have to rise to the occasion this year. Last year, play fell off here.

Overall, a good QB and defense could push them to 8-8.

3)      San Francisco 49ers

This is the one team I would like to be wrong about. But their preseason hasn’t given me much confidence. Harbaugh must develop Smith. Let me say that again. Harbaugh must develop Smith. If that happens, with Frank Gore’s consistent running game, they could have a passable offense. Dixon, Hunter and Miller (FB) could all see time if Gore gets injured (again). Vernon Davis (TE) is the only productive wide out in this unit. Crabtree, Morgon and Ginn must adapt quickly to the West Coast system. Vic Fangio is a student of Dom Capers and will look to develop the same type of system. Smith (DE) is the stat of the time and a handworker. The line isn’t flashy, but might improve. Patrick Willis is the star here. He will help the transition to a new system. Takeo Spike isn’t a bad LB either. The secondary is the weak link here. Clements and Mays struggle with deep coverage. Expect a lot of rotation here.

Overall, Alex Smith and Harbaugh need to become best friends. Now.

4)      Seattle Seahawks

Seattle was a fluke in many ways last year, including beating a Saints team that just fell apart. Pete Carrol has no idea where he is trying to go. They have talent offensively, in Lynch, Rice (WR), Williams (WR) and Miller (TE). But no QB. Jackson is not the answer. He couldn’t even keep a starting job with AP to carry him. This could be ugly fast. The defense runs a hybrid of 4-3/3-4. The line is above average, but owes most of its style to the categorization of the lineman – “Leo” = pass running. Clemons had 11 sacks as the “Leo” last year. The linebackers are missing Lofa Tatupu. Aaron Curry needs to become the player he was advertised as coming out of college. Maybe a second year in the system will help him? The secondary sucks – let’s not sugar coat it. Earl Thomas (S) is the only playmaker back there and has too much to make up for. Trufant, Jennings , Thurmond and Chancellor have never distinguished themselves in any way.

Overall, Seattle needs to find a direction and a quarterback.