2008 NFL Preview: NFC West

It would seem logical to pick the Hawks to win the division in his last year and ride out into the sunset. I just don’t like the Seahawks' team this season as much as in years past. I think they have gotten a little bit older. I don’t think they have a lot of good answers at wide receiver. I’m not a fan of their running game.

I’m not going to pick an offense to do well, just because they have a head coach and quarterback with solid reputations. There are a lot of other things that go into having a good offense.

Still, the Seahawks are going to score points. This is not one of the 10 worst offenses in the NFL. It isn’t even the worst offense in the division. However, in order for the defense to get those sacks, and not give up a lot of rushing yards, Seattle needs their offense to dominate the action. I’m not sure they can do that in 2008 like they did last season.

The Seahawks have been the class of this division since 2003. However, there are moments when you look back and see the door slam shut on a team’s run.  That’s what I think we saw in that Green Bay game. The Seahawks had a 14-0 lead in that game and proceed to get stomped. That game was disturbing on so many levels.

It wasn’t that they lost; it was how they lost. They were manhandled on both sides of the ball. They have progressively gone in the wrong direction since 2005. A very weak schedule and bad division probably saved them in 2007.

I think they have a pretty tough stretch in the middle of the season. They play 9) Philadelphia, 10) @ Miami, 11) Arizona, 12) Washington, 13) @ Dallas, and 14) New England. They also have games against Green Bay and Tampa Bay, who will not be as good as last year, but still tough.

The Seahawks will still win their share of games. They will still be tough at home. I wouldn’t be shocked if they were able to put together a division winner. The NFC West isn’t exactly the toughest division right now. I just think it is someone else’s time.

The Cardinals should be able to maneuver the middle of the season with greater ease than the Seahawks, and build a cushion heading into their tough stretch to close the season. While the Cardinals will not run away with the division, I predict they will sneak by the Seahawks, who will still be tough, but not as tough as in years past.

Seattle Seahawks’ Record: 8-8—NFC West second place; No Playoffs

3) St. Louis Rams

      ‘07 Record: 3-13

      Points Scored: 263 (28th)

      Points Allowed: 438 (31st)

      Playoff Result: N/A

      2008 Strength of Schedule: 125-131 (.488) (17th in NFL)

Strengths: When you start the season 0-8, finish with the second-worst scoring defense and the fifth-worst scoring offense, there aren’t a lot of things to hang your hat on.

However, the Rams were probably hit by injuries worse than any team in the NFL. They had massive casualties on the offensive line, including future Hall of Fame tackle Orlando Pace, who was lost for the season in the opener. He missed eight games in 2006, and it remains to be seen if he can still stay healthy an entire season.

Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger missed four starts each. Torry Holt was not the same Torry Holt as a couple of years ago, due to his knee condition. Doctors feel he will be able to play still, but fear it will be a chronic problem. If those three guys aren’t healthy the whole season, the Rams can’t win.

Isaac Bruce is no longer with the team, having moved to San Francisco. He was a great receiver for many years, but Holt has been the go-to guy in recent years. They still have Drew Bennett, and they drafted Donnie Avery in the second round. TE Randy McMichael needs to regain his Dolphin form from a few seasons ago.

Josh Brown was a nice addition. He is a solid kicker that is an upgrade over retired Jeff Wilkins and hurts a division rival at the same time.

The bottom line is that the 28th ranking in scoring offense from last season is deceiving. When this offense is healthy, it is extremely dangerous. Bulger had 4,301 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only eight picks in 2006. Steven Jackson had 2,334 rushing and receiving yards and scored 16 touchdowns in 2006. Holt had 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2006. He had almost identical numbers in 2007, but had three fewer touchdown catches.

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