NFC West Preview

Last Year’s Predictions
Seattle Seahawks 10-6
St. Louis Rams 10-6
Arizona Cardinals 7-9
San Francisco 49ers 5-11

What Really Happened
Seattle 13-3
St. Louis 6-10
Arizona 5-11
San Francisco 4-12

The Seattle Seahawks should win the NFC West by default. I think the Rams will improve but not enough to make a difference this season. I’m also not buying the revival of the Cardinals. They are still the Cardinals and I will have to actually see them improve before I believe it.


Arizona Cardinals – Projected Finish 6-10 (3rd)
Big Question: Linebackers

Karlos Dansby is the only quality linebacker the Cardinals have. Middle linebacker Gerald Hayes missed all of last season and still isn’t healthy. Orlando Huff and Darryl Blackstock will compete to be opposite of Dansby.

Key Losses:
QB Josh McCown

Key Additions:
RB Edgerrin James


San Francisco 49ers – Projected Finish 4-12 (4th)
Big Question: Quarterback

Raise your hand if you believe in Alex Smith? I guess Mike Nolan still does but maybe that’s about it. In Smith’s seven starts last season the 49ers averaged less than 96 yards passing per game. Smith also fumbled 11 times last season, a few times while attempting to pass.

Key Losses:
FB Fred Beasley
QB Ken Dorsey
WR Brandon Lloyd
CB Ahmed Plummer

Key Additions:
G Larry Allen
WR Antonio Bryant
CB Sammy Davis
QB Trent Dilfer


Seattle Seahawks - Projected Finish 11-5 (1st)
Big Question: Defensive Backs

Andre Dyson was let go because of cap issues (3 million dollar roster bonus) and no one knows how Ken Hamlin will play after suffering a near fatal head injury in a bar fight.

Key Losses:
CB Andre Dyson
WR Joe Jurevicius
LG Steve Hutchinson

Key Additions:
T Tom Ashworth
WR Nate Burleson
LB Julian Peterson


St. Louis Rams – Projected Finish 8-8 (2nd)
Big Question: Runningbacks

Steven Jackson is explosive running for over 1,000 yards last year but there are questions about his durability. The Rams can’t afford to lose him to an injury this year because of the absence of Marshall Faulk.

Key Losses:
S Adam Archuleta
KR Arien Harris
DT Tyoka Jackson
QB Jamie Martin
DT Ryan Pickett

Key Additions:
S Corey Chavous
QB Gus Frerotte
DT La’Roi Glover
T Todd Steussie

2006 NFC West Predictions
Seattle 11-5
St Louis 8-8
Arizona 6-10
San Francisco 4-12

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