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NFC West preview: Predictions for the NFC West and how the teams will finish
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How will the West be won?
From now through Friday, the NFC West Examiners will be answering some questions about their respective teams, bridging the gap between now and the much anticipated beginning of the season. Today's topic: NFC West predictions.
What predictions can be made about the NFC West and how will the teams finish?
1. Every team in the division will improve on their record from last year - With a 9-7 record taking the division crown last year, there is definite room for improvement. The Cardinals have a schedule that favors at least 10 wins, the Seahawks are much healthier and should be knocking on the door of first place all season, the 49ers have a new attitude with Singletary at the helm, and the Rams...well, the Rams can't get any worse.
2. Frank Gore will still be the best running back in the division - Julius Jones seems to be getting a lot of press from the media going into the season and a healthy Steven Jackson is a favorite among fantasy owners, but Frank Gore has a fairly solid offensive line, the talent, and the experience to make waves once again this year.
3. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin will remain the two best receivers in the division - This is a no-brainer. On any of the other three teams, Boldin would be the number one, so this duo is dangerous. Fitzgerald may be the best receiver in the league and next to Hines Ward, Boldin may be one of the toughest.
4. Seattle's defense will reign supreme this year - Though the Cardinals defensive front looks pretty good, there isn't a team in the division that compares with the depth of the Seahawks, especially with the addition of the Wake Forest rookie, Aaron Curry. If Hasselbeck can make the offense click, the Seahawks will win a lot of games this year with a defense that should be very stingy. The Cardinals offense vs. the Seahawks defense is a matchup I can't wait to see twice this year.
5. The Arizona Cardinals will win the division again this year - Though many people in the media world like the Seahawks, I don't see them beating the Cardinals twice (especially at the University of Phoenix Stadium) and that's probably what it will take for them to take the crown. As stated above, the Cardinals schedule is set up rather nicely, with only one possible foul-weather game against Chicago late in the season and many tough games at home where the Cardinals are lights-out. San Francisco and St. Louis are both another year away from competing, in my opinion, though if there's a dark horse in the NFC West, it's definitely the 49ers, who could surprise some people.
Here's how the NFC West will finish (with records):
1. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
2. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
3. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
4. St. Louis Rams (4-12)
Check out the San Francisco 49ers Examiner's take on how the NFC West will finish
Check out the St. Louis Rams Examiner's take on how the NFC West will finish
Check out the Seattle Seahawks Examiner's take on how the NFC West will finish
Here are the NFC West players who need to be at the top of their game all season
Take a look at the coaching situations around the NFC West
And here are the rookies that could have an impact in the NFC West this year
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