NFC West Preview: Niners should hold off rising Seahawks in 2012

San Francisco 49ers
2011 Recap: The 49ers got off to a quick start in 2011, wrapping up the division in week thirteen on their way to a 13-3 record, making it all the way to the NFC Championship game. Oft-maligned quarterback Alex Smith did a great job of game-managing for first year coach Jim Harbaugh, and Vernon Davis staked his claim as one of the better tight ends in the league. The engine that made San Francisco run was their defense, which was #1 against the run, #2 in scoring defense and #4 in total yards allowed. The pass rush was also very strong, as DE Justin Smith and OLB Aldon Smith combined for 21.5 of the teams' 42 sacks. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are one of the best linebacking corps in the league.
Key Additions
The front office was aggressive in trying to add play-makers to an offense that largely lacked explosiveness. With Frank Gore's injury history, the team added bruising back Brandon Jacobs through free agency, as well as burner LaMichael James in the second round to help in the passing and return game. A.J. Jenkins was a bit of a reach in the first round, but adds a big-play threat when the team spreads the field. Mario Manningham came over from the Giants and projects as a very solid third receiver. Randy Moss is not the long-term answer at receiver for the 49ers, but is a potential low-risk, high-reward player with a reasonable contract.
Key Losses
WR Josh Morgan (Redskins)
G Chilo Rachal (Bears)
G Adam Snyder (Cardinals)
2012 Outlook
San Francisco is returning just about every defensive player from last season's team, and added some potential weapons to the offense that will allow Jim Harbaugh to open up more of the playbook for quarterback Alex Smith. The team will have tough road games (Patriots, Packers, Saints), and could see some challenges from visiting teams (Lions, Bills, Giants, Bears). Ultimately, I don't think the 49ers will be able to replicate their 13-3 record from a season ago, but should be a better (and more well-balanced) team this season.
Predicted Record: 11-5




Seattle Seahawks
2011 Recap: The Seahawks had an up-and-down season, notching quality wins over the likes of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, AFC runner-up Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. Marshawn Lynch was the key cog on offense, as he rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 TD last season. The passing game struggled some, as QB Tarvaris Jackson battled through injuries most of the season, and they were without their big-play WR Sidney Rice for seven games. A young offensive line needs to share some of the passing game blame, as they surrendered 50 sacks.
On defense, the Seahawks played solid all-around defense, ranking 4th in interceptions and yards per carry allowed, 7th in scoring defense and 9th in yards allowed. The pass rush was largely lackluster, tallying just 33 sacks. While 7-9 is hardly a record to write home about, Seattle looked like a playoff-caliber team towards the end of 2011.
Key Additions
Like their division rival San Francisco, Seattle had a need to upgrade their passing attack. The team signed free agent QB Matt Flynn from Green Bay. The team also drafted Wisconsin's Russell Wilson to add depth at the position. The only problem with those statements is that Wilson played so well in the preseason that head coach Pete Carroll has already named Wilson the teams' week one starter. WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow (former teammates in Cleveland) both signed with Seattle to add depth to their receiving corps. Former Tennessee DE Jason Jones should see rotation reps for Seattle, and will likely see the majority of his playing time in pass-rush situations. DE Bruce Irvin was drafted 15th overall, and while his size makes him a liability as an every-down defensive end, he's a dynamic pass-rusher that should be able to contribute in that role as a rookie.
Key Losses
RB Justin Forsett (Texans)
TE John Carlson (Vikings)
LB David Hawthorne (Saints)
2012 Outlook
Rookie quarterbacks rarely have a great win-loss record, and while Wilson may lack prototypical size for the position, he has a great feel for the game, and can make plays when the pocket breaks down. He's also come to a team that added offensive weapons, as well as upgraded their defense. The health of Marshawn Lynch and Sidney Rice, as well as the improvement of a young offensive line will dictate whether the Seahawks have another middling season, or are able to make the playoffs.
Predicted Record: 9-7

Arizona Cardinals
2011 Recap
Arizona finished the season strong, winning seven of the last nine games to even their record at 8-8. Offseason sign-and-trade acquisition QB Kevin Kolb struggled with injuries and inconsistency, and was replaced by John Skelton, whom the team performed better with at the helm. While neither quarterbacks play could have been considered "good", their play would have been downright awful without All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald, who is consistently one of the elite receivers in the league. The offensive line struggled to protect both quarterbacks, surrendering 54 sacks (31st in the league).
Defensively, Arizona did a solid job of rushing the passer (42 sacks), as Calais Campbell emerged as perhaps the best 3-4 defensive end in the league. The team didn't force many turnovers, but I expect improvement from second-year corner Patrick Peterson. Peterson set an NFL record with five return touchdowns last season, and is a dynamic playmaker who could become a Charles Woodson-type corner in the league.
Key Additions
Cornerback Williams Gay was brought in from Pittsburgh, and should start alongside Patrick Peterson and help replace Richard Marshall. Arizona also has almost an entirely new offensive line, as the only holdovers from last year are left guard Daryn Colledge and center Lyle Sendlein. Bobbie Massie takes over at right tackle, while Adam Snyder (49ers) takes over at right guard, and D'Anthony Batiste moves from swing tackle to starting left tackle in place of the injured Levi Brown. Larry Fitzgerald should have some more help at receiver after drafting Michael Floyd in the first round. One potential sleeper to keep an eye on is William Powell, who has had a stellar pre-season. With Ryan Williams coming back from an Achilles tear, and the persistent injury problems for starting running back Beanie Wells, Powell could see some time this season.
Key Losses
CB Richard Marshall (Dolphins)
2012 Outlook
I don't truly believe the Cardinals were as good as their 8-8 record from last season would indicate. However, the additions along the offensive line and at WR should help boost the quarterback play from last season. If the combination of Wells and Williams can stay healthy, the Cardinals could again approach .500 as they did last season. Skelton appears to be ahead in the quarterback race at this point, but uncertainty and inconsistency at quarterback could prove to burden any Cardinals offensive rhythm.
Predicted Record: 7-9

St. Louis Rams
2011 Recap
It was a rough season for the Rams, going 2-14 and firing Steve Spagnuolo as head coach. The offense couldn't stay healthy, as Sam Bradford played in just 10 games, and the team averaged a league-worst 12.1 points per game in 2011. The receiving corps also struggled mightily with injuries, as Danny Amendola, Mark Clayton, Austin Pettis and Greg Salas all landed on injured reserve in 2011. Another problem for the Rams was protecting the quaterback, as they surrendered a league-high 55 sacks. Defensively, St. Louis couldn't stop the run, as they allowed 152.1 yards per game on the ground (31st in the league). There were also health problems in the secondary, as six cornerbacks landed on injured reserve last season, including Ron Bartell and Al Harris. Steven Jackson was basically the only bright spot on the team last season, and needs only 907 rush yards to surpass 10,000 for his career.
Key Additions
Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was hired to replace Steve Spagnuolo as coach. While Spagnuolo was a hard worker and a passionate coach, the team just didnt' exhibit the improvement required for him to stay as coach. Former Fisher player CB Cortland Finnegan comes over from the Titans and immediately helps their defense against both the pass and run, and will add a level of leadership and tenacity this defense largely lacked in 2011. The team has also focused on improving the talent level along the offensive line, as the team added Packers center Scott Wells, and fifth round pick Rokevious Williams should add depth on the interior. The offense also got some more weapons in the draft with project wide receiver Brian Quick (Appalachian State) and under-rated running back Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati). Pead should be more of a contributor this season, and will provide a solid option behind the severely under-appreciated Steven Jackson. Wayne Hunter was acquired from the Jets in a straight-up trade for Jason Smith. While Hunter struggled throughout 2011 and this preseason as a starter for New York, he'll likely go back to his role as a swing tackle and "Jumbo" package tight end. FB Ovie Mugheli should be a solid blocker for Jackson and Pead, as he'd previously opened up holes for Michael Turner in Atlanta the last five seasons.
Fisher teams are almost always built with a defense-first philosophy, and through one offseason, the Rams will be no different. After trading the #2 overall pick for a King's Ransom from Washington, the Rams were able to select three players who should be able to contribute immediately: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (N. Alabama) and Trumaine Johnson (Montana). All three players also have the potential to be between above-average to near Pro Bowl-caliber players with the right development. The team was also able to acquire defensive end Kendall Langford and tackle Trevor Laws to improve the defensive line rotation.
Key Departures
WR Brandon Lloyd (Patriots)
OT Jason Smith (Jets)
LB Chris Chamberlain (Saints)
CB Al Harris
2012 Forecast
The combination of a massive roster overhaul and Jeff Fisher's coaching style will result in a new-look Rams in 2012. If the offensive line is able to improve it's play from last season, and the team is able to stay relatively healthy (especially Bradford and Jackson), then there's at least a chance they don't have a top five pick next season. St. Louis should field a more competitive team than their 2012 iteration, but there's still a ways to go before the playoffs are a realistic hope.
Predicted Record: 4-12