2007 NFL Division Ranking: #6 - NFC West
Trying to rank the divisions through the middle has proven to be somewhat more difficult. The middle of my rankings start with the most improved division in my opinion. For several years, this division has been dreadful. The Seahawks could have safely been given the division crown at the start of most recent years.
However, the times have changed and I believe that the Seahawks will have two serious challengers in this division in the Rams and the 49ers. I think ultimately the Rams represent the most serious threat to Seattle. Right after the 2003 season, the Rams descent into mediocrity began. With the continued improvement of the Seahawks as well as the eventual decay in the team personnel and the Mike Martz effect, the Rams quickly became a has-been.
With a few rebuilding seasons and a chance for Scott Linehan to implement his system, I believe that the Rams are once again poised to rise to the challenge. The Rams have worked on upgrading their defense. I don’t feel that it is the best defense in the league, but I do feel that it is respectable and will keep the Rams in games. On offense, the Rams have one of the leagues premier running backs in the league and appear to be willing to use him finally. Marc Bulger deserves mention among the top quarterbacks and he has dangerously good receivers in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Ultimately, the Rams have the trenches covered and enough star power, to not only win this division, but to possibly win a game or two in the playoffs.
The one thing preventing the Rams from easily taking this division is the Seattle Seahawks. While I don’t believe that the Seahawks have done much to improve, I don’t think they have fallen off that much. I really think that this season will hinge upon Shaun Alexander. With injuries and offensive line defections, the running game was not what it once was in Seattle. In fact I would argue that Shaun Alexander is currently the third-best running back in this division behind Steven Jackson and Frank Gore — and I would win that argument. Matt Hasselbeck has proven that he belongs in this league and while his receivers are not well known they are capable. I don’t feel that Seattle has ever asked much of their defense beyond being able to keep them in games. In short, Seattle is the not too far removed from being in the superbowl and the overall team has not changed that much. However, they have not really improved themselves lately and their window may be shutting. I wouldn’t be shocked if they won the west, but I think that St. Louis will narrowly take this division.
The popular pick in the NFC West this year is the 49ers. They are definitely headed in the right direction. They have not been hesitant or shy about improving on a defense that several years ago hit rock bottom. Alex Smith belongs in this league and as the personnel around him improves that is becoming more and more evident. He finally started looking comfortable last year and that should put the rest of the league on notice that Mr. Smith has arrived. In my estimation, Frank Gore has helped Alex improve as much as anyone. He is a dangerous runner, who combines speed and power to devastate opposing defenses. I am not sure any team in the league did as much in free agency to attempt to improve their defense as the 49ers. “Attempt” is the key-word in that sentence. I am a big believer in the right players for a system, as well as overall synergy. Merely adding guys that appear to be stellar is no guarantee of having a good team. Mr. Snyder in Washington is probably just now realizing that — maybe. I would like to see what this new and improved defense is like on the field and not just merely on paper. In addition, the element of surprise is now gone for San Fransisco. Teams will take them a little more seriously and suddenly the 49ers don’t just have to show improvement, they are expected to be in the play-offs and compete. This team is several years away from meshing and I think they will finish third in this division. They are definitely high on my up and coming list though.
Finally, we take a look at the perennial doormat in this division, the Arizona Cardinals. Every year, they are the popular pick to rise out of the dregs and finally be a team that can compete. Year in and year out they end up disappointing. Not surprisingly, not very many people are predicting much out the Cardinals this year. The Cardinals may have the best collection of wide outs in the game. They are talented and also fun to watch. I think Leinart is a good young quarterback with tons of upside. I could do with out the Hollywood scene, but that is fodder for a different article. I think he will have some success, but ultimately he is a rookie behind what appears to be another patch work offensive line for the Cardinals. The running game continues to be beyond dreadful. It doesn’t matter who you put back there as a runner (perhaps excepting Barry Sanders), this team can not successfully line up and run the ball. In the NFL, if you can’t run the ball consistently, you are not going to be successful. Finally, we have yet another head coach for the Cardinals. They have got to be averaging about one per year. Bottom line, this is where the failures of the Cardinals can be attributed: lack of coaching continuity. If the fans and owners can show some patience, I think Whisenhunt can build as a competitive franchise. But it can not be overnight and it absolutely has to involve the trenches instead of hoping to fill the seats with another flashy player.
Overall, I see more competition in this division than in the recent past. I think that it will be a battle between 3 of these 4 teams. So why is this division ranked so low? First, there isn’t much of a difference in my rankings from about 2nd to 6th. Second, while I like the teams here as mentioned, I would be shocked to see any of these teams in the Superbowl this year. So it is a competitive division, but not an elite division.
