NFC West Predictions: Seattle Seahawks Challenged by San Francisco 49ers

WhatIfSports.com by Columnist Written on June 19, 2008
Hasselbeck_feature
(Page 4 of 6)
WeekOpponentWin%Avg Score
1 Arizona Cardinals 54 28-21
2 @Seattle Seahawks 43 16-22
3 Detroit Lions 70 31-20
4 @New Orleans Saints 53 26-24
5 New England Patriots 22 20-29
6 Philadelphia Eagles 44 22-23
7 @New York Giants 29 18-30
8 Seattle Seahawks 38 20-22
10 @Arizona Cardinals 47 22-29
11 St. Louis Rams 61 30-21
12 @Dallas Cowboys 27 21-33
13 @Buffalo Bills 53 25-26
14 New York Jets 78 37-20
15 @Miami Dolphins 73 28-21
16 @St. Louis Rams 76 32-24
17 Washington Redskins 35 28-31

 

 

Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

It seems as though this team has already missed its window. Edgerrin James is clearly on the back-end of his career. Matt Leinart and the once-promising defensive backfield have problems staying healthy. And the wide-receiving corps lost Bryant Johnson and may see Anquan Boldin depart in the not-so-distant future.

In 2008, after years of underachieving, the computer appears to have caught on and set the bar low for Arizona. The Cardinals average 21.4 points per game (22nd) and allow 25.5 points (22nd) against a schedule featuring six games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 4-12

Most Significant Newcomer: Early Doucet, WR—As just mentioned, Bryant Johnson has moved on to San Francisco to be Alex Smith and Mike Martz's go-to guy. That leaves 46 catches and 528 yards open from last year—not to mention Anquan Boldin's unrest.

Enter Early Doucet.

Doucet is actually used to being productive despite not being the focal point of the offense. In the simulated season, he catches 29 balls for 423 yards and three touchdowns.

Clark Haggans is a possibility here as well. The former Steeler will be called upon to fill Calvin Pace's (NYJ) shoes, and at least match Pace's six sacks from 2007, though the projections don't see that happening (Bertand Berry's return to health plays a big role in that).

Biggest Strength: Potential—Antrel Rolle, Matt Leinart, Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, Leonard Pope, Steve Breaston, Alan Branch, Gabe Watson, Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett...With so many high draft choices from previous years on the roster, just about every position is loaded with talent and players who were very productive in college. They just have to keep everyone healthy and working together.

(1)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

2 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

3,201
reads

2
comments

written on June 19, 2008 Preview/Prediction

The best Rams newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.