The NFL season kicks off tomorrow and we have a few more previews to finish. Today we'll cover what is arguably the toughest division in the league, the NFC West. Check out all the season previews on our directory page here.
2013: 13-3, won NFC West. Won the Super Bowl.
Key Losses: CB Brandon Browner, LB Chris Clemons, DL Red Bryant, WR Golden Tate, WR Sidney Rice
Key Additions: rookie WR Paul Richardson, rookie DE Cassius Marsh
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Green Bay, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Fransisco 49ers
2014 Outcome:
The biggest issue facing the defending Super Bowl champs is who quarterback Russell Wilson will throw the ball to. He's got Doug Baldwin and Percy Harvin is in great shape, but he lost Golden Tate and Sidney Rice. He really needs Harvin to step up as the number two and if he does I think Wilson could have another terrific year leading the offense. Plus we doubted their wide receiving core before and look what happened. Otherwise though the defense has the potential to be a dominant force again, despite losing key guys like Browner, Clemons and Bryant. All three of those guys either started or split time last year and added depth to a strong defensive unit. Losing those guys could impact the Seahawks defense during the long haul of the season. Add into the equation the fact that they play in a division that could of had three playoff teams in it, if you eliminate conferences, and it isn't an easy road for them. Still I think Seattle has a shot at repeating and I see them winning the NFC West with an 11-5 record and making a run at the Super Bowl again.
2. Arizona Cardinals
2013: 10-6, third in NFC West. Missed playoffs.
Key Losses: LB Karlos Dansby, LB Daryl Washington, SS Yeremiah Bell, LG Daryn College, RT Eric Winston, RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Andre Roberts
Key Additions: LT Jared Veldheer, CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Tedd Ginn, LB Larry Foote, rookie SS Deone Bucannon
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: San Fransisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outcome:
This was a tough decision because obviously the 49ers have been a top team in this division over the last three years but judging by their recent losses defensively and how bad their offense looked in the preseason I can't legitimately put them ahead of the Cardinals. Arizona was a sneakily solid team last year. They were forgotten in a division with the Seahawks and 49ers, but I'm not forgetting them this time. While they lost some pieces defensively I think they restocked as well. Foote will serve as a tested replacement for Dansby, Cromartie will do great work in the secondary with Patrick Peterson locking down the opposite side. All things considered I see another great defensive effort coming out of Arizona. On the other side of the ball the pressure falls on the offensive line to keep quarterback Carson Palmer on his feet, who was sacked 41 times in 2013. If they can do that Palmer should have an easy time finding his weapons like Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, who is destined for a breakout season, and the speedy Tedd Ginn. Also Andre Ellington is predicted to have a good year as the true number one at running back. If all those things come together as I see them, the Cardinals should finish at least 10-6 again but this time make the playoffs.
3. San Fransisco 49ers
2013: 12-4, second in NFC West. Lost in NFC Championship game.
Key Losses: CB Brandon Browner, LB Terrell Brown, CB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, WR Mario Manningham
Key Additions: WR Stevie Johnson,WR Brandon Lloyd, SS Anthony Bethea, CB Chris Cook, OT Jonathan Martin, RB Alfonso Smith
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outcome:
On paper the 49ers should have another great year. However I'm not predicting their season based off paper. Fact of the matter is San Fransisco's offense hasn't looked very good in the preseason and their defense is starting to have more holes than Swiss cheese. Aldon Smith is lost for nine games. Ray McDonald was arrested for domestic violence and if he's found guilty the new rule will cost him six games as well. There are just too many question marks. Add those two loses in with a new look secondary and I'm just unsure of how great they can really be. There offense has no excuse to be better with their number one receiver healthy for the start of the season and added depth at running back, but again, their preseason performance has been nothing to write home about. I have some optimism though that once the regular season gets started they will figure it out. Colin Kaepernick has a lot to prove after signing a massive contract in the off-season and he's got the weapons to get it done. We'll see if they can execute. Still playing in a division with Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis, who is expected to have a dominant defense, doesn't bode well for their playoff chances. 9-7 for the 49ers, no playoffs and Jim Harbaugh may be fired.
4. St. Louis Rams
2013: 7-9, fourth in NFC West. Missed playoffs.
Key Losses: QB Kellen Clemens, G Harvey Dahl, CB Cortland Finnegan, RB Daryl Richardson, S Darian Stewart, G Chris Williams
Key Additions: WR Kenny Britt, DT Alex Carrington, rookie DT Aaron Donald, QB Shaun Hill, rookie CB Lamarcus Joyner, rookie RB Tre Mason, rookie G Greg Robinson
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Philadelphia Eagles, San Fransisco, Seattle, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers
2014 Outcome:
The Rams kind of end up in fourth by default because of their obvious question mark at quarterback with Sam Bradford out for yet another season. It's disappointing really, cause if he was healthy the toughest division in football becomes even tougher. I don't know where I would have put them if Bradford wasn't hurt, but I guess we'll never know. Still there is a lot of reason for optimism in St. Louis where the Rams have some upside after stockpiling players through the draft. They've built what many think will be a top five defense and with a pass rusher like Robert Quinn and a linebacker like Alec Ogletree I see why. The sky is the limit on that side of the ball for the Rams, which makes them a contender with basically every team on their schedule. On the other side though I worry. No Bradford means Hill will start and he's no impact quarterback. On top of that I'm concerned as to who their number one receiver will be. Kenny Britt holds the spot down now with Brian Quick as the number two and the speedy Tavon Austin breathing down their necks. One of them has to emerge as a legitimate number one target for Hill. In the backfield I see a lot of depth with Zac Stacy, Benjamin Cunningham and Mason all sharing some touches, which helps their cause. The uncertainties on offense though, are enough for them to finish fourth in such a competitive division and I think 8-8 is a fitting record. Nonetheless the Rams are just a starting quarterback away from being real playoff contenders in my eyes.
2013: 13-3, won NFC West. Won the Super Bowl.
Key Losses: CB Brandon Browner, LB Chris Clemons, DL Red Bryant, WR Golden Tate, WR Sidney Rice
Key Additions: rookie WR Paul Richardson, rookie DE Cassius Marsh
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Green Bay, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Fransisco 49ers
2014 Outcome:
The biggest issue facing the defending Super Bowl champs is who quarterback Russell Wilson will throw the ball to. He's got Doug Baldwin and Percy Harvin is in great shape, but he lost Golden Tate and Sidney Rice. He really needs Harvin to step up as the number two and if he does I think Wilson could have another terrific year leading the offense. Plus we doubted their wide receiving core before and look what happened. Otherwise though the defense has the potential to be a dominant force again, despite losing key guys like Browner, Clemons and Bryant. All three of those guys either started or split time last year and added depth to a strong defensive unit. Losing those guys could impact the Seahawks defense during the long haul of the season. Add into the equation the fact that they play in a division that could of had three playoff teams in it, if you eliminate conferences, and it isn't an easy road for them. Still I think Seattle has a shot at repeating and I see them winning the NFC West with an 11-5 record and making a run at the Super Bowl again.
2. Arizona Cardinals
2013: 10-6, third in NFC West. Missed playoffs.
Key Losses: LB Karlos Dansby, LB Daryl Washington, SS Yeremiah Bell, LG Daryn College, RT Eric Winston, RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Andre Roberts
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: San Fransisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outcome:
This was a tough decision because obviously the 49ers have been a top team in this division over the last three years but judging by their recent losses defensively and how bad their offense looked in the preseason I can't legitimately put them ahead of the Cardinals. Arizona was a sneakily solid team last year. They were forgotten in a division with the Seahawks and 49ers, but I'm not forgetting them this time. While they lost some pieces defensively I think they restocked as well. Foote will serve as a tested replacement for Dansby, Cromartie will do great work in the secondary with Patrick Peterson locking down the opposite side. All things considered I see another great defensive effort coming out of Arizona. On the other side of the ball the pressure falls on the offensive line to keep quarterback Carson Palmer on his feet, who was sacked 41 times in 2013. If they can do that Palmer should have an easy time finding his weapons like Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, who is destined for a breakout season, and the speedy Tedd Ginn. Also Andre Ellington is predicted to have a good year as the true number one at running back. If all those things come together as I see them, the Cardinals should finish at least 10-6 again but this time make the playoffs.
3. San Fransisco 49ers
2013: 12-4, second in NFC West. Lost in NFC Championship game.
Key Losses: CB Brandon Browner, LB Terrell Brown, CB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, WR Mario Manningham
Key Additions: WR Stevie Johnson,WR Brandon Lloyd, SS Anthony Bethea, CB Chris Cook, OT Jonathan Martin, RB Alfonso Smith
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outcome:
On paper the 49ers should have another great year. However I'm not predicting their season based off paper. Fact of the matter is San Fransisco's offense hasn't looked very good in the preseason and their defense is starting to have more holes than Swiss cheese. Aldon Smith is lost for nine games. Ray McDonald was arrested for domestic violence and if he's found guilty the new rule will cost him six games as well. There are just too many question marks. Add those two loses in with a new look secondary and I'm just unsure of how great they can really be. There offense has no excuse to be better with their number one receiver healthy for the start of the season and added depth at running back, but again, their preseason performance has been nothing to write home about. I have some optimism though that once the regular season gets started they will figure it out. Colin Kaepernick has a lot to prove after signing a massive contract in the off-season and he's got the weapons to get it done. We'll see if they can execute. Still playing in a division with Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis, who is expected to have a dominant defense, doesn't bode well for their playoff chances. 9-7 for the 49ers, no playoffs and Jim Harbaugh may be fired.
4. St. Louis Rams
2013: 7-9, fourth in NFC West. Missed playoffs.
Key Losses: QB Kellen Clemens, G Harvey Dahl, CB Cortland Finnegan, RB Daryl Richardson, S Darian Stewart, G Chris Williams
Key Additions: WR Kenny Britt, DT Alex Carrington, rookie DT Aaron Donald, QB Shaun Hill, rookie CB Lamarcus Joyner, rookie RB Tre Mason, rookie G Greg Robinson
Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Philadelphia Eagles, San Fransisco, Seattle, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers
2014 Outcome:
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