2013 NFC West Predictions
Going into this offseason, NFC West boasted two teams that will look upon the 2012 season with what could have been and two that will strive for improvement. The pairs are not that obvious though. Right now, this division is arguably the toughest to predict a winner from, all four teams have enough talent that they could beat anyone and each other week in, week out.
Boasting four top quarterbacks that have either weathered some storms in the past or are causing new waves every time they step onto the gridiron. It could well turn into a two horse race again, but there will be many twists and turns along the way. It’s going to be a Wild West shootout.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – 2012: 11-4-1, WEST CHAMPIONS, LOST SUPER BOWL
The title of team of destiny went to the Baltimore Ravens when they held off a furious Niners comeback last February. San Francisco for many was the best team in the NFC last season and maybe the entire league. Coached by the highly charged Jim Harbaugh there was a dynamism about the team that meant that they had a certain self belief, a never say die attitude that almost carried them through the entire season. When Harbaugh made the call and changed quarterback around the mid point of the year it was a gamble but one that paid off. Colin Kaepernick fits nicely into the new breed of QB that has taken the league by storm, he is a winner. Now he has to come up against defences that know all about him and the read option that he executes so well. Will this be enough though as they have suffered some injury setbacks, having lost Michael Crabtree for the year and Mario Manningham looks set to start the season on the sidelines. They have other weapons of course and the defense is still largely intact from a year ago. The quest for the sixth ring starts all over again.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – 11-5, LOST DIVISONAL PLAYOFF
In the ever changing role of the quarterback few shone more brightly, and gained more recognition than Russell Wilson. Quite simply he has the NFL world chomping at the bit. The Seahawks are famed for their 12th man (the fans) but in Wilson they have the man. Of course he can’t carry the load all by himself but in their two playoff games last year he showed remarkable poise when faced with big points deficits early on leading his team to one win and a heartbreaking loss after fighting back from 20-0, only to lose by a long field goal in the dying moments. Head coach Pete Carroll knows a good thing when he sees it and in Marshawn Lynch he sees a premium running back, and Sidney Rice is no slouch at receiver. However they will miss Percy Harvin who is out for the year. Seattle will be around for a while as the team to beat in the NFC, this could be the breakthrough year.
ST.LOUIS RAMS – 7-8-1
Jeff Fisher is slowly turning this sleeping giant around. It’s been a long time since the “Greatest Show on Turf”, but good things are on the horizon. It’s taken a few years but Sam Bradford is now an established QB who can hold his nerve in big game situations, just look at last years two games against the 49ers. He will continue to grow and has his coach firmly in his corner. Fisher knows the value of defense and has some outstanding quality in all areas. Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins, Chris Long are all genuine stars. Add to this something that other teams envy, “The Leg”. Greg Zuerlein is a kicker that has a cannon for a leg and could be invaluable in crunch time. Going above .500 will be great for this team.
ARIZONA CARDINALS – 5-11
At 4-0 the season looked like being one of huge success in 2012. Then the rot started to set in and the rest of the way they only won one more game. A hot start is good but the lessons will have been learnt that playoff places are not won in September. Larry Fitzgerald is still the main attraction in the desert, and his luck may be about to change as he has one of the most powerful arms in football throwing towards him. Carson Palmer is now a Cardinal and that means the skies will be lit up a bit more, but then the ground attack is a bit more potent with Rashard Mendenhall looking to get back to his best since injury. They also have one of the most exciting game changers in cornerback Patrick Peterson, he can play corner, return kicks and this tear we will see him in some offense packages too. All this under the watch of first year head coach Bruce Arians. Keep an eye on the Cards, they will cause some surprises.
ROUNDUP AND PREDICTION
With the talent pool overflowing it’s easy to see why a lot of experts are forecasting an exciting year in the West division. Home field will be key and all four will want to impose themselves in their backyard. Seattle is famous for its extra help there but the fans are just as fervent in San Fran too and they are going all out to get what they feel was rightfully theirs last year. St.Louis and Arizona will more than likely make up the numbers in this race but they will be no walkover and will love to play spoiler. It could come down to which QB adjusts the most over the season as defences will have different schemes to combat both Kaepernick and Wilson.
