NFC West: Predicting Final Records for Each Team in 2012

For the past few years, the NFC West has been one of the worst divisions in the league. However, in 2012, that moniker will be shed and this division will no longer be a doormat for the NFL.

Every season, it seems as if one team is riding high in this division while the rest struggle to get to .500.

The NFC West might not be taken seriously around the league as a whole, but this division has produced Super Bowl contenders in recent years.

In 2008 The Arizona Cardinals had a dream run to the Super Bowl, and before that the Seattle Seahawks ran through the league to earn a trip to the championship game in 2005.

Once upon a time, the St. Louis Rams also did battle on the biggest stage in football with their most recent run to the Super Bowl in 2001.

The days of one team running away with the crown in this division will come to an end this season, when all four of these improving teams battle to come out on top in 2012.

Arizona Cardinals

2012 Record: 10-6

Post Kurt Warner, the Cardinals have struggled to gain control of the NFC West. However, last year's 8-8 season was the first step back in the right direction.

In 2011, Arizona started off rough. However, they surged past opponents coming off their bye week after the team notched a 7-4 record.

The strong play of the Cardinals defense over the second half of the season should have opposing teams worried going into 2012.

On paper, both Kevin Kolb and John Skelton posted similar numbers, but the main difference is Skelton's ability to grind it out and come away with the victory. He was 6-2 last season.

Skelton has the skill set to win the quarterback battle in training camp and turn this team into a dangerous opponent in 2012. 

Seattle Seahawks

2012 Record: 9-7

The Seahawks have benefited the most coming from the NFC West.

From 2003-2010, this team earned a trip to the playoffs on six occasions. They've failed to post a winning record even once in the last four years, but they are on track to get over .500 in 2012.

With a stout defense and a solid running game led by Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks have the potential to make noise in the NFL this upcoming season.

After finishing 7-9 in 2011, Seattle is on the cusp of getting over the hump to produce a winning record.

Solid quarterback play is the missing cog for this team, and new addition Matt Flynn could be the player to get the Seahawks back to their winning ways. 

San Francisco 49ers

2012 Record: 11-5

Last season, the San Francisco 49ers shocked the league after finishing the year with a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

This was a huge surprise, since the team had gone eight straight seasons without posting a record over .500.

It will be tough to repeat the magical year that the 49ers had last season; but with the additions on offense and essentially the same starters on defense, there shouldn't be a huge drop off in production.

With a tougher schedule in 2012, look for the 49ers to drop a couple of games back from last season's win total. 

St. Louis Rams

2012 Record: 5-11

The Rams have the potential to double up their win total from last season. The bad news is, they only won two games in 2011.

After posting a 2-14 record last season, it's clear that the Rams are a long way from being the "Greatest Show on Turf." St. Louis struggled to rake in the wins in 2011. Furthermore, the team failed to win a single game inside the NFC West.

A healthy Sam Bradford can make a world of difference in 2012, but the Rams' poor defense is holding the team back from making a huge turnaround in 2012.