NFL - NFC West Season Preview and Prediction

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
 
Last Season - 10-5-1 (1st in NFC West, Eliminated 2nd Round of Playoffs) 354 Points For, 292 Points Against
 
Quarterback 8.5/10 (Russell Wilson) - Russell Wilson suffered, last season, as a result of having a terrible offensive line which often had him scrambling and running for his life.  He did throw for a career best 4,219 yards, but managed to throw only 21 Touchdown passes, which is just one off his career low. The Seahawks can’t continue to get away with gambling with Wilson’s health as he was sacked 41 times last season and fumbled the ball 8 times as a result. Wilson remains one of the best dual-purpose quarterbacks in the NFL, with his electric speed and running game and clutch decision making. 
 
Offense 6.5/10 - Despite averaging around 22 points per game last year, the Seahawks were a bit of a mess on offense at times throughout the season. Their running game was non-existent at times, with Seattle finishing 25th out of 32 teams in rushing, averaging a fairly ordinary 99.4 yards per game. With one of the lowest paid offensive lines in football, their running game suffered as well as the passing game, with Russell Wilson having to scramble so often. With Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham as part of their receiving corps, Seattle will have some class targets to hit again in 2017. 
 
Defence  8.5/10– Seattle’s defensive was still elite last season, but perhaps not the quite as great as the "Legion of Boom" which took them to two straight Super Bowls.  Seattle’s defensive should be able to put plenty of heat on opposition quarterbacks again with the likes of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. The Seahawks boast arguably the NFL’s best linebacker duo in Bobby Wagner on the inside and K.J. Wright on the outside. When together, strong safety Kam Chancellor, cornerback Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, now in their peak years, still comprise the NFL’s No. 1 secondary. 
 
Prediction - 10-6 (1st in NFC West)
 
I see this being the year the Seahawks fall in a bit of a hole. They have been up for a long time and I'm not sure they can get away with the terrible protection they provide for Russell Wilson up front again. Their defence has a lot of stars but I’m not sure it is quite what it used to be. 
 
ARIZONA CARDINALS
 
Last Season 7-8-1 (2nd in NFC West) 418 Points For, 362 Points Against
 
Quarterback 7/10 (Carson Palmer) - Veteran Carson Palmer showed signs last season that his best football might be behind him, throwing 14 interceptions to go along with 26 touchdowns. Palmer lacks mobility and was hampered by an offensive line that struggled to protect him. Palmer still retains a strong arm and only 12 months ago had perhaps the best season of his career.
 
Offence - 7.5/10 - The Cardinals’ offence was explosive at times last season, but also made some big mistakes, which cost it in some games. Times have changed a bit in Arizona. Two years ago Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald really controlled this offence, however David Johnson has emerged as the leader of the offence at running back. Johnson was dynamic last season, leading the league with 2,118 all-purpose yards. Johnson not only was a threat on the ground, but in the air catching 80 passes, making him the team’s second-best receiver behind Fitzgerald.
 
Defence 6.5/10 - Arizona struggled on defence at times last year, conceding around 23 points per game on average. Most concerning for Cardinals’ fans is the fact they have lost five defensive starters in the off-season, including two starting defensive backs and franchise icon Calais Campbell up front. The Cardinals reacted by using their first two draft picks on defensive players, as they look to improve as a unit this season. Haason Reddick, Chandler Jones and Markus Golden give the Cardinals a really dynamic and fast pass rush capable of rushing the quarterback. 
 
Prediction - 9-7 (2nd in NFC West)
 
I think the Cardinals can bounce back this season and challenge the Seahawks for the Divisional title. They lost a lot of close games last season and I think they can turn some of those around, which will put them around the 9-win mark.
 
LOS ANGELES RAMS
 
Last Season 4-12  (3rd in NFC West) 224 Points For, 394 Points Against
 
Quarterback 4.5/10 (Jared Goff) - All eyes this year will be on 2016 Number 1 draft pick Jared Goff after a real baptism of fire in his rookie year. While after just seven starts it’s too early to write off Goff, he struggled with accuracy last year, and looked shaky in the pocket, getting rocked a number of times. Goff threw just 5 touchdowns to 7 interceptions last season, averaging just over 150 yards passing, completing just 54% of passes. The Rams have surrounded Goff with a coaching staff this year that has much more expertise in the quarterback position, and that should help his development. 
 
Offences 4.5/10 - To put it simply, in 2016 the Rams were awful in practically all aspects with the ball. They averaged a miserly 14 points per game and were often unwatchable for the majority of the season. The Rams ranked dead last in the NFL in yards per game (262.7) with running back Todd Gurley having a tough year running the football after a breakout 2015. The Rams also gave up the 2nd most sacks in the league. The Rams have added Sammy Watkins from Buffalo who will provide a valuable new target for Jared Goff.
 
Defence 7/10 - The Rams built their case for a playoff in the pre-season last year on a strong defence, however it never quite materialised as they gave up close to 25 points per game. Aaron Donald may just be the NFL’s best defensive player this season. Donald has amassed 28 sacks in three seasons and should combine with Robert Quinn, a former Pro Bowl defensive end making the switch to 3-4 outside linebacker, makes the Rams a force up front defensively. However, the Rams have question marks in the secondary in a unit that struggled to get it together last season.
 
Prediction 6-10 (3rd in NFC West)
 
I can't fall into the Rams this season. I just think there are still so many question marks around their young quarterback and anaemic offence. I expect them to be better offensively, however they have a fair way to go to catch up to teams. Bottom line is the Rams have had a losing culture over the past 5-6 years and I’ll wait and see them prove they can turn it around before I tip them to do so. 
 
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
 
Last Season 2-14 (Last in NFC West) 309 Points For, 480 Points Against
 
Quarterback 5/10 (Brian Hoyer) - The 49ers, after releasing quarterback Colin Kaepernick, opted for somewhat of a stop gap this year in veteran Brian Hoyer.  Hoyer started 5 games for the Bears, as well as 14 games for the Browns, in 2014 when Shanahan, now the Head Coach of the 49ers was the Browns’ offensive coordinator. Hoyer has 31-career NFL starts in eight seasons and, whilst he is respected as a hard worker and a fearless competitor, he is nowhere near an elite quarterback. 
 
Offence 5/10- The 49ers were one of the lower ranked offences in the game last year, averaging under 20 points per game across the season. Whilst there must be some doubt over their journeyman quarterback, they have at least given him some targets to throw at with the signings of Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin and Aldrick Robinson, while also re signing Jeremy Kerley, who’s coming off a career year. The 49ers running game is solid, rather then spectacular, with Carlos Hyde rushing for a career-high 988 yards on 217 carries last season.
 
Defence 5/10 - The 49ers were a disaster on defence last season, giving up the most points in the NFL and conceding an average of 30 per game. Ranking last in total defense and rushing defense and 14th against the pass last season, the 49ers gave up the most rushing yards (2,654) and rushing touchdowns (25) in franchise history. The 49ers fans have some cause for greater productivity from this unit, with the 49ers drafting defensive end Solomon Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster in the first round. The return of inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, a four-time All-Pro, will also be a big boost. 
 
Prediction 5-11 (Last in NFC West) 
 
I think this team might be capable of rebuilding quickly if they can find a good quarterback through the draft maybe next season. However, with a journeyman there at the moment, and coming off a few woeful years, I can't see the 49ers challenging for a playoff spot. Despite that, I see them improving from a 2-win team to a 5-win team this season.