As the football preseason is upon us, we will be doing season previews for each division, similar to our draft preview. Today, we look at the NFC West.
The Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West last year, and made it to the NFC Championship game last year before being demolished by the Carolina Panthers. The Cards hope to continue their success this year. Carson Palmer is still the QB for the Cards without any successor in place. Palmer’s play has lead to a rebirth of his career, after some lackluster seasons in Cincinnati and Oakland. To each side of Palmer, he has Pro Bowl caliber wideouts. All time great Larry Fitzgerald, somehow has not aged, and continues his career long history of producing great plays and putting up great numbers. Palmer also has Michael Floyd, who has shown the talent to allow him to fill Fitz’s spot once he retires. And we’re not done yet, because their third WR, John Brown, has shown deep play potential, and could easily be a top two receiver on most teams. In the backfield, the tandem of Chris Johnson and David Johnson, hope to become a two headed monster, crushing opposing defenses with their rushing game. Which is entirely possible, due to guards Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis ability to push back defensive lineman. Defensively, this team is stacked. Defensive end Calais Campbell is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, while recently acquired linebacker, Chandler Jones, hopes to gel with the linebacking corps. Deone Bucannon might be considered a middle linebacker, but he does so much more for the Cards. He is a different type of player that is hybrid of safety and linebacker, and allows the Cards secondary much more lethal. Speaking of the secondary, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu might be the best corner and safety combo in the whole NFL. When both are on the field, it is extremely hard for opposing offenses to complete passes, let alone drive down the field.
The Seattle Seahawks stand atop the division with the Cardinals, being the 1a to the Cardinals 1. Russell Wilson hopes to continue his phenomenal play from last season, where he single handedly brought the Seahawks into the Playoffs. No longer does he have beast mode behind him, but Thomas Rawls played very well last year as a rookie, and hopes to blossom into an even better player this season. Wilson’s wideouts are Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Regardless of their immense talent, neither has received national attention, despite being a model of consistency for the past three or four years. Hopefully the Hawks will get more production out of Jimmy Graham, who was traded to Seattle in 2015 for a 1st round pick to New Orleans. Graham was one of the best tight ends in football in 2014, second only to Gronk. If he can reproduce that effectiveness, the Seahawks will have a dangerous passing attack. On the Offensive line, Germain Ifedi will start as a rookie. Ifedi was the second to last pick in the first round this year, and hopes to protect Wilson when the QB’s legs cannot. Defensively, the “Legion of Boom” continues to be one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Richard Sherman is the most well known cornerback in the NFL (note I didn’t say the best), while Cam Chancellor is the best Strong Safety in the NFL. Earl Thomas is no slouch either, and the if Jeremy Lane can elevate his play, this might be the best secondaries that Seattle has had. Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker, and Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, both defensive ends, will hope to provide the pass rush as well as stopping the run.
After these two teams, the talent level drops a little bit. The following team might be the most recognizable teams in the NFL, but that’s only because they are currently starring on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Yes, the constantly mediocre Rams, have a new home, closer to everyone else in the division. This offseason they moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles. They also drafted a QB with the first pick in the draft, in Jared Goff, but Goff may not start. Currently Case Keenum is QB1 on the Rams, and Goff will have to beat him if he wants the job. Behind the QB, Coach Jeff Fisher has one of the best running backs in the NFL in Todd Gurley. Gurley had an amazing rookie campaign and will build on top of his productive last year. As for their pass catchers, I love Tavon Austin, but that’s largely due to my unrelenting love for all things WVU. Austin’s speed makes him a deep threat at any time, but can he stay on the field? He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and I doubt this is the year he stays completely healthy. Opposite him is Kenny Britt, who also has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Both players are good options for WR but it won’t matter if they aren’t on the field. On the interior, the Rams have Greg Robinson to protect their QB’s blindside. Robinson will hope to live up to his hype. The Auburn product was a first round draft pick, and will try to establish himself as an elite tackle. On the other side of the ball is where most of the team’s talent is. Aaron Donald is one of, if not the, best defensive tackles in the NFL, and along with Robert Quinn, defensive end, Alec Ogletree, middle linebacker, and Akeem Ayers, outside linebacker, all can rush the passer and stop the run, creating a dominant interior seven. Add in Mark Barron, who plays a hybrid linebacker/safety position, and cornerback Trumaine Johnson, and the Rams look like a team who will be hard to beat offensively.
The last team in the NFC West is the San Francisco 49ers. Their current quarterback is Blaine Gabbert, who is most fondly remembered for his god-awful tenure in Jacksonville. He is fighting with Colin Kaepernick for playing time, who is most fondly remembered as the leader of the 49ers on their way to lose a Super Bowl. Neither are really good, but Kaepernick’s athletic ability might help him win the job in new head coach, Chip Kelly’s, offense. The best offensive weapon would most likely be Carlos Hyde at running back. Hyde has averaged 4 yards a carry for both of his years in the league. At wideout, Torrey Smith is their best option. He has burner speed and is a very good deep threat. Quinton Patton could break out this year, but don’t hold your breath. Not that he isn’t good, but I don’t trust his QB’s to get him balls effectively. On the line, Joe Staley continues to be a consistent blocker, while Zane Beadles has had a successful career protecting the quarterback. Defensively, the 49ers are not the same team they were three or even two years ago. Gone is Patrick Willis, gone is Aldon Smith, as well as Justin Smith. Still, Navarro Bowman and Ahmed Brooks hold down the linebacker position, while Jimmie Ward and Eric Johnson start at the safety positions. Bowman and Brooks are still top linebackers in the league, while Johnson and Ward are young players drafted in the first round hoping to make an impact. On the defensive line, first round pick DeForest Buckner hopes to blow past opposing offensive tackles, on his way to the quarterback. There is talent on this team, and Chip Kelly is a genius in terms of football, but will they be able to find success.
Asinine Predictions That May or May Not Be Correct
NFC West Champions: Arizona Cardinals
- Arizona Cardinals: 11-5
- Seattle Seahawks 10-6
- Los Angeles Rams 8-8
- San Francisco 49ers: 2-14
