2012 NFC West Preview

Throughout the last week, I covered the AFC.  Now it's time to focus on the NFC.  Today it's the NFC West.

ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals had a disappointing 2011 season in which there were QB issues, especially when Kevin Kolb was injured, forcing John Skelton to take starts.  To start off this season, Skelton was named starting QB and will be able to throw to targets like Larry Fitzgerald and rookie Michael Floyd.  Beanie Wells will handle the ground game and looks to have a positive 2012 season.  For the 1st half of the season, the Cardinals host Seattle Week 1, then travel to New England and later goes to Green Bay, while hosting Kolb's former team Philadelphia.  After the bye week, they go to Atlanta, NY Jets & San Francisco (where they close out the season).  This could be a rebuilding team, but it will be hard to win this division.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
One of the most successful teams in NFL history had a re-surgance in a big way in 2011 making it to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Giants.  Now, Coach Jim Harbaugh, in his 2nd year, is looking to make his mark and improve his team.  QB Alex Smith is shaky, but had a positive season and he will deal with a mix of veterans (Randy Moss, Brandon Jacobs, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore) and younger guys (Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Ted Ginn, Jr) and this could be one of the more surprising offenses of this season.  If the 49ers want to repeat, they have a tough schedule, starting at Green Bay week 1, then hosting Detroit the following week (Sunday night game) then traveling to Minnesota & NY Jets, hosting Buffalo, NY Giants & Seattle and going to Arizona before the bye.  The 2nd half of the season is easier as they host St. Louis and Chicago before going to St. Louis & New England.   It is a favorable schedule, but they need to prove that 2011 was no fluke.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Seahawks can be a surprise team in 2011.  Coach Pete Carroll has built on from his USC success and names QB Russell Wilson as the Week 1 starter at Arizona.  RB Marshawn Lynch signed a big contract extension recently and will be the focus on offense.  Wilson does have targets, which include Braylon Edwards, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin & Zach Miller.  Yes, their new uniforms look neat, and they will show them off with a long 1st half of their schedule which includes trips to Arizona, Detroit & San Francisco, while hosting Dallas, Green Bay & New England.  The 2nd half after their Week 11 Bye features trips to Miami & Chicagoland and hosting San Francisco & St. Louis to end the season.  I see Seattle as a playoff team and could be a surprise all season.

ST. LOUIS RAMS
The Rams went 2-14 last year and made several moves in the draft.  They also brought in Coach Jeff Fisher and his experience can help the Rams improve from past seasons.  QB Sam Bradford hopes to finally make his mark in the league, proving how he was in college, and his targets include Steve Smith (the former Giants WR).  RB Steven Jackson will definitely carry a load on the ground.  This is a rebuilding team, I see improvement but not playoffs, even with a weak schedule including an overseas trip to London as they host New England in the International Game. 


PREDICTIONS
San Francisco   13-3
Seattle   10-6
Arizona   7-9
St. Louis   5-11