NFL Season Preview, #1: NFC West Division

I'm starting my division by division preview with the easiest division, the NFC West.

Other than Peyton Manning, no player meant more to his team than Kurt Warner for the Cardinals, or rather, there is no greater drop-off with his replacement than going from Kurt Warner to Matt Leinhart. That is the top story for the NFC West this season. Alex Smith was not worth the #1 overall pick in the 2005 draft and he never will be great, but sadly he's probably the top quarterback in this weak division. And the toughest thing for this group: their out of division schedule includes tough divisions NFC South and AFC West.

San Francisco 49ers
No team was happier to see Warner retire than the 49ers. I'm a believer in Mike Singletary and I love what he has done with this team. Frank Gore leads a solid ground game, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree lead an average receiving corp. The defense obliterated bad teams last year, and they will see several more this season. They ought to sweep the division. Alex Smith keeps the 49ers outside of the elite group of teams. They have an easy home schedule, but they play the Falcons, Packers, and Chargers all on the road.

Key Games: Saints on Monday Night 9/20, @ Chargers on Thursday 12/12.
Projection: 12-4

Seattle Seahawks
The biggest thing the Seahawks have going for them is a big home field advantage. Qwest Field is great and it's a long plane ride for the Giants, Chiefs, Panthers, Falcons, and Rams. Other than that, the 'Hawks have a weak offensive line with 1st round draft pick left tackle Russell Okung already hobbling on a bad ankle. The quarterback is old and injury prone, the running backs and wide receivers are unimpressive. Couple that with a bottom-10 defense and this will be a hard 16 games. Pete Carroll will add some excitement until they get blown out at home to the 49ers in Week 1.

Key Games: Falcons on 12/19.
Projection: 5-11.

Arizona Cardinals
It's not just future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner the Cardinals lost, also receiver Anquan Boldin, and key defensive players Dansby and Antrel Rolle. Matt Leinhart is a poor NFL quarterback and backup Derek Anderson ain't any better. Larry Fitzgerald is an elite receiver but there is no Boldin to pull defenses away and Kurt Warner isn't throwing to him, and he is already dealing with a bad knee. The defense gave up 90 points in their last two games. And along with all that, they have a tough, division-winner schedule that includes road games in Atlanta, San Diego, Minnesota, and the Super Bowl champ Saints and Cowboys coming into town.

Key Games: 49ers on Monday Night 11/29.
Projection: 5-11

St Louis Rams
This team is like a 16 year old girl who was just handed the keys of the Jaguar for a drive on the Audubon: it's destined for failure. And it's more like the brakes are failing and the steering is out of alignment. Rookie Sam Bradford, who had two significant shoulder injuries a year ago, will be under center behind a terrible offensive line, with no quality receivers to throw to, and a terrible defense. Steven Jackson is a star, but he has taken a beating and has had injury concerns in the past. They will probably win a game, but not many more.

Key Games: Seahawks on 10/3, @ Lions on 10/10, @ Bucs on 10/24.
Projection: 1-15