NFC West

Next up on my mid season outlook is the NFC West:

1. Arizona Cardinals
This is a team that basically says before each game to their opponent "Try to keep up." Their passing game is ridiculous! I still don't know why the Rams let Kurt Warner go because he is easily still a top 10 QB in this league, maybe top 5. It also doesn't hurt when you're throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The running game is pretty bad but it doesn't seem to bother them much. Well at least it doesn't bother their offense. Their defense on the other hand probably wishes they could have a competent running game to keep them off the field longer. Their defense is doing a pretty good job of defending the pass...which is all they need to do because teams don't run on them. They have the 5th least rush attempts against them because teams are throwing to keep up with their powerful offense. This team is pretty good but they better learn how to run the ball by time they get to the playoffs.
Prediction: 10-6, 1st in division

2. Seattle Seahawks
I hate to see Mike Holmgren's last season be as bad as it has been. It's really hard to have a successful west coast offense when your QB and both starting WRs are injured. The running game has been decent with Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, and Maurice Morris all sharing the load. Unfortunately they can't run enough to keep their defense off the field. The defense has been nothing special this year. Marcus Trufant is not playing like himself this year despite the support of a pretty good pass rush. Their run defense has been average when you consider that teams average 30 carries per game against them. On top of it all they might have lost Patrick Kerney for the rest of the season to a shoulder injury. Sorry about your last season Mike but you're still a great coach in my book.
Prediction: 3-13, 3rd in division

3. San Francisco 49ers
Well it certainly has been an interesting season for San Francisco. They are the 3rd team to fire their head coach during the season. The difference between them and the other two is they have their head coach of the future, and I think Mike Singletary will be great. Their offense is close to being good. They have a proven coordinator in Mike Martz, a great RB, and some decent linemen. They need to fill in a couple holes on the line and they could use a WR. But most importantly they need a QB. Alex Smith is a bust, J.T. O'Sullivan has been benched and rightfully so, and Shaun Hill is overrated and will not be a good QB. Their defense is in the same position as their offense. They have some good pieces but need help at others. Patrick Willis is a stud but the rest of the LB core is old or in need of improvement. Their secondary could use some help. Nate Clements is better than he has played so far and Michael Lewis is ok but Walt Harris and Mark Roman shouldn't be starting on any team. As for their depth...well Walt Harris and Mark Roman are starting so that pretty much says it. Their line is pretty good though as far as a 3-4 defense is concerned. While they won't be good this year, I'm confident that Mike Singletary can turn this team around by next September.
Prediction: 4-12, 2nd in division

4. St. Louis Rams
I want to send out my deepest condolences to all Rams fans. This must be a tough season to watch. This was the first team to fire their head coach this season, and it was also a good decision. Since they fired Scott Linehan, they are 2-2 under interim head coach Jim Haslett, including wins against Washington and Dallas. Unfortunately that will probably be their peak. Steven Jackson practically is the offense. I use this word a lot but Marc Bulger is...overrated. Its time for them to get a QB. Tory Holt still has a couple years in him but without a QB and a line he will spend them just mentoring Donnie Avery, who has looked pretty good so far. Their offensive line needs a complete make over starting at left tackle where Orlando Pace has played since the AFL/NFL merger. On defense they need a ton of help. Their secondary is weak with the exception of Oshiomogho Atogwe, who has been a stud over these last two years. Their LB core is pretty substandard with maybe the exception of Will Witherspoon. On one side of their defensive line they have La'Roi Glover and Leonard Little who are ancient and on the other they have Adam Carriker and Chris Long who are young and full of potential. Basically this team is a long way away from a winning season. They have a few good young players but other than that they are old or bad or both. Their next head coach has one tough job, be it Haslett or someone else.
Prediction: 3-13, 4th in division