Division Series Preview, Part 1: NFC West

Division Series Preview, Part 1: NFC West

Combined Record: 30-34
2011 Division Winner: San Francisco 49ers (13-3, 5-1 Division)
2011 Playoff Teams: San Francisco 49ers

The NFC West has long been a mystery. You may as well play with an 8-Ball to see what happens next. Over the past few seasons, it has been almost a laughable division. When you factor in the previous year, 7-9 Seattle snuck into the playoffs. Who Dat Nation has all sorts of recollection of what ensued after that. In the 2009 season, we personally met up with Division Winner Arizona, who finished 10-6. This season, the NFC West will face the AFC East & NFC North. Throughout this series, we will go team by team, and I will give my two pennies of where everyone will finish.

Warner sure didn't have any problems with a legit hit.

San Francisco 49ers (13-3, 5-1 Division, 10-2 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Randy Moss, Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham, Perrish Cox

Noteworthy Departures: Braylon Edwards, Ted Ginn, Josh Morgan, Shawntae Spencer

2012 Predicted Record: 10-6

The 49ers had an impressive season, and all jokes aside, they beat up on their opponents. Their Defense was unmatched, as they were fueled by a 1^st Overall Ranking against the run (77 yards/game).  They outscored opponents 380-229 (+151 differential), and the 229 points allowed were a league low. Their record earned them a 1^st Round Bye, and a date with the Saints, as we all remember the outcome of that game. Their end was met when the G-Men came to town, and thus concluded their 2011 season.

The 2012 49ers will look to wrap up their division again, and lean heavily on their defense. Alex Smith is still under fire. Let's not forget that after the Manning Bowl Sweepstakes was over, the 49ers didn't have many options, and re-signed Smith. They stole from the Giants in the offseason, and added Mr. Hobo himself, Randy Moss. Smith has been loaded up with more targets than he could possibly dream of. He has no excuse for not spreading the ball around, or having a productive offense. However, I simply think that teams will solve for their defense this year (see New Orleans in the playoff game). I still favor them to win the Division again, and earn a Wild Card, but look for them to drop at least 2-3 division games this season. The reason I would suggest a 6 loss season would be simply because of the schedule they face, with these games of interest: @Packers, Lions, NYG, Bears, @Saints, @Patriots. That's no easy task. I don't expect them to follow up a 13-3 season with anything better than my predicted record.

Love or Hate Him, Vernon Davis is force.

Arizona Cardinals (8-8, 4-2 Division, 7-5 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Michael Floyd (Draft), Adam Snyder, Quentin Grove, William Gay

Noteworthy Departures: Brandon Keith, Rex Hadnot, Richard Marshall

2012 Predicted Record: 9-7

The biggest question with the Arizona Cardinals is the QB Controversy. Kevin Kolb or John Skelton? Kolb has been a pretty big disappointment thus far, after cashing in on his paycheck. Skelton has filled in adequately, and has beat out Kolb in terms of chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald. Getting Michael Floyd in the draft was an extremely smart move for the Cardinals. Taking away Adam Snyder from rival San Francisco will also help bolster their O-Line. What has helped the Cardinals in recent memory is the fact they are good at home. They went 6-2 out in the Desert, and having personally been at one of their games, it's loud. Simply put, score more. Their Offense has to solve for Points, and it will rely on the QB Situation. Games of Interest include: @Patriots, Eagles, @Packers, @Falcons, @Jets, Lions, & Bears. They'll close the season on the road against the 49ers, and it could be a game that will decide the division.

I can't think of Bears-Cardinals without referencing Dennis Green.

Seattle Seahawks (7-9, 3-3 Division, 6-6 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Matt 'Damon' Flynn, Jason Jones, Barrett Ruud, Kellen Winslow

Noteworthy Departures: Justin Forsett, David Hawthorne, Robert Gallery, John Carlson, Raheem Brock, Lofa Tatupu, Atari Bigby

2012 Predicted Record: 6-10

Ah, the great mystery of the Seahawks. The burning question for their team remains to be, "How will Matt Flynn do?". Remember the LSU days Tiger Nation? Everyone should be extremely proud that he's finally getting a chance, or is he? Pete Carroll won't say if he's going to continue woes with TJ (Not Tom Jackson), or officially name Flynn the starter. Jackson and the Seahawks finished at 22nd in the NFL last season in Passing Yards (194/game). We all remember Flynn destroying the Lions, in the snow. The Seahawks were just a 'meh' in terms of record. They split their home games at 4-4, and conference games at 6-6. They lost a ton, and I mean a ton of starters on their team. (The Saints thank you for David Hawthorne). We're not sure what Pete Carroll will have up his sleeve, but he's going to need some magic if they're going to do better than my prediction, they are going to have to steal some games. Games of interest include: Dallas, Green Bay (Back to Back at home I might add), @Detroit, Jets, @Chicago

Because it was a contract year, or real deal?

St. Louis Rams (2-14, 0-6 Division, 1-11 Conference)

Noteworthy Arrivals: Steve Smith (The former Eagle & Giant), Cortland Finnegan, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Barry Richardson, Mario Haggan, Michael Brockers (Draft), Brian Quick (Draft)

Noteworthy Departures: Cadillac Williams, Brandon Llyod, Mark Clayton, Justin Bannan, Chris Chamberlain (We Thank You), Josh Brown, Donnie Jones, Brady Poppinga, Justin King

2012 Predicted Record: 4-12

2010 - Sam Bradford is Offensive Rookie of the Year. Wait, what? Yes, I remember that team. Talk about a polar opposite from one season to another season. This team was plagued with the Injury Bug. The lone bright spot for the Rams would be Steven Jackson, but he couldn't carry the team by himself. The Rams went 1-7 at home, and 1-11 in the conference. Their only 2 wins of the season last year came against the Saints (yeah, we remember that garbage) & Browns. Their noteable games are really non-existent. I am being extremely generous giving them a 4-win season. I believe this will be another one that is chalked up to re-building. If you don't like my short opinion, then just let 32nd in Points, 31st in Yards, and 30th in Passing Yards set in for a second. One can only hope that Jeff Fisher will bring the tenacity & help get this team back to respectable next season. 

Yeah, that about sums it up. Losing to Glass Joe.

NFC West – 2012 Bold Predicitions

• Matt Flynn will gain the starting role in Seattle, and throw for over 3,000 yards
• Randy Moss will NOT have a 1,000 yard season
• Marshawn Lynch will bust; John Skelton will become the starter in Arizona
• At some point during the season, Alex Smith will be benched
• The 49ers will not have the Top Ranked Defense
• The Division will be decided in Week 17 (Cardinals-49ers)