2013 NFC West Predictions

1. San Francisco 49ers
There is a reason that the 49ers were the NFC representative in the Super Bowl last year. They have talent littering both sides of the ball and a successful coaching staff to keep order. They managed to avoid tragic losses of talent, though they are now a little thin at the WR position. If injuries hit the WRs or Kaepernick then this team could be in deep trouble. But that being said, a healthy 49ers team must simply remain constant and carry on where they left off last year.

2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have a chance to knock the 49ers from the top of the division. Pete Carroll has somehow worked magic and found talent from other teams and through the draft. QB Wilson was the surprise of the year last year, though I expect a little regression as all second year quarterbacks tend to have. Defenses will also be able to defend the read option better after an off-season of study. But the strength of this team is really the defense, especially the secondary. The loss of CB Trufant hurts a little, but the depth here is so great the unit should remain solid with CB Sherman and CB Browner. They have a chance to keep the major quarterbacks of the entire NFC in check.

3. St. Louis Rams
The Rams showed enormous improvement under Jeff Fisher in his first year and expect them to improve even more. Unfortunately, they play in a highly competitive division which will hamper them. Yet, last year they held their own against the big boy 49ers and can expect to again. QB Bradford has his last shot to prove himself this year. The addition of T Jake Long should help this by keeping Bradford on his feet, rather than on his back. The departure of RB Jackson hurts more than anything for this team. Still, look for the whole team to improve in the second year of Fisher's system.

4. Arizona Cardinals
Bruce Arians was the coaching catch off the off-season and the Cardinals landed him. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much to work with besides Larry Fitzgerald. Carson Palmer has come in to sort of help the quarterback situation, but he's aging and hasn't shown true talent since he was with the Bengals. Off season additions have been mostly to sure up the defense -- CBs Arenas, Cason and Power, as well as S Bell and LB Brinkley. Maybe RB Mendenhall will give an offensive boost, but he's had problems with injuries and isn't considered an every down back. Overall, there is future hope for the Cardinals, but not this year. This is the first rebuilding year. 

NFC West 2012 Predictions

San Francisco 49ers
This is the team that took everyone by surprise last year. Though they won’t sneak up on anyone this year, they won’t lose a step, especially in a division that is notoriously weak. Harbarugh did what no other coach has been able to do – understand Alex Smith. That made all the difference. Great teams are the ones that understand their strengths and use them to their advantage. The 49ers wrote the book on this last year. Now with the addition of Randy Moss, they have a proven big play receiver besides Vernon Davis. All of the defensive starters return—an unheard of phenomenon in today’s age of free agency. With Patrick Willis in the center, leading this unit, look for them to continue their dominance.

Arizona Cardinals
I’m putting the Cardinals above the Seahawks here because of their schedule. I also believe they’re a huge sleeper team. John Skelton will be the quarterback here—he has earned it. He has Larry Fitzgerald and Todd Heap to throw to, as well as Beanie Wells (RB), who has continued to develop. The defense was middle of the pack—literally, they were ranked 18th. But that doesn’t mean they lack for talent. Darnell Docket, Patrick Peterson, Adrian Wilson, William Gay and Calais Campbell are the heart of this defense. They needed a year to adjust to the 3-4, but should be more confident now. They’re my sleeper pick for the playoffs. Playoffs?!?!

Seattle Seahawks
I have never been sold on Pete Carroll and his methods. I don’t like Russell Wilson, even though he is from Wisconsin, as a rookie starting quarterback, especially over Matt Flynn. We’ll see if he doesn’t get benched for Flynn at some point. This team lacks a big receiver. Yes, they have Sidney Rice, but he hasn’t had a big year since he played with Brett Favre. Marshawn Lynch is a beast but he can’t carry this team through this schedule by himself. The defense is stronger than most people think (ranked 9th last year), but can’t hold up against Green Bay, Carolina, New England, Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco (twice). They’ve got an exceptional pair of CBs but that’s about it on the defensive side.

St. Louis Rams
The poor Rams. Sam Bradford needs to develop, or finish developing. He just kind of stalled last year. Steven Jackson is once again back to help and truly be the offense. They’ve added Steve Smith and tried to bolster the offensive line. They’ve also revamped the defense by adding six new starters, Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford, Mario Haggan, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins. With Jeff Fisher at the helm now, you never know. My prediction is that in TWO years, the Rams might contend seriously for a division title again. But Fisher was thrown for a little bit of a loop when he lost his defensive coordinator in Greg Williams. But Fisher knows how to turn around bad teams—give him time, he’ll get there with these guys too.