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NFC
WEST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
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ST.
LOUIS RAMS
Outlook:
The Rams got much improved in the looks department by adding
Heisman winner Eric Crouch, who will line up at receiver. But they
got worst on the field along the offensive line and it could spell
trouble for the potent offense. This team is still solid and will
make another Super Bowl run, but I think they’re a notch below the
2001 bunch.
Forecast:
The Rams lose at Lambeau in the NFC title game. |
1 |
ST.
LOUIS RAMS
Outlook: The last Super Bowl Rams (‘99) followed up that
season with a big disappointment.
Will the latest Rams NFC Champs follow suit?
This, to me, is one of the biggest mysteries of the
season. The Rams
have every piece to a championship puzzle, from safety to
fullback. But,
watching their offense play in preseason has looked frustrating.
Still, with the weapons they have added (did you realize
they got former Colt Terrence Wilkins? And Martz says Eric Crouch is the fastest guy on the team),
and in year #2 of Lovie Smith’s defensive schemes, this Rams
team should be able to win the division and get to an NFC
Championship rematch with Philadelphia.
Forecast: 11-5. Another NFC
Championship appearance for the Rams. |
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SAN
FRANCISCO 49ERS
Outlook:
Jeff Garcia has a voice more suited to the “Birdcage” than “Monday
Night Football,” but there’s no tougher quarterback in football.
He’s the man who makes the 49ers go and the reason they have a
shot to overtake the Rams. Terrell Owens is the most consistently
dangerous receiver and the Niners can run the ball. The defense is
young and getting better.
Forecast:
The Niners make it as a wild card, but don’t be surprised if they
win the division. |
2 |
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Outlook: If a good football team starts with an offensive
line, then the Arizona Cardinals are headed for greatness.
The problem is, they’ve had a very good o.line for a
while and just haven’t been able to get over the hump.
With veteran Jake Plummer at QB, last year’s break-out
David Boston at WR, and strong TE Freddie Jones added to the mix
this year, it seems this team’s near future lies with second
year RB Thomas Jones. If
he performs as the Cardinals keep claiming he will, these birds
will be back in the playoffs this year.
Forecast: 10-6. As the Cardinals
race for a division title, Dave McGinnis is considered for Coach
of the Year. |
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SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Outlook:
Seattle has a new stadium and uniforms but the same old problem:
quarterback. They thought they had it solved but naming Trent
Dilfer as the starter, but he’s out for a month and they must rely
on the follicly-challenged Matt Hasselbeck. The offensive line and
secondary look shaky so this team will once again miss the
playoffs.
Forecast:
One of the league’s mid-range teams. |
3 |
SAN
FRANCISCO 49ERS
Outlook: The 49ers have two of the biggest talents in the
league in WR Terrell Owens and QB Jeff Garcia.
Then what? A
balanced running game, yes; but not game-breaking.
An improved defense, yes; but not game-winning (consider
they had three shutouts in the last six games of the season;
against Buffalo at home, Miami at home, and at New Orleans, who
had given up by Week 17). Now, instead of playing four games against the three worst
teams in the League as they did last year (Detroit, Buffalo and
Carolina twice), they get Denver, Green Bay and Seattle.
With one of the tougher schedules in the League, last
year’s success will quickly be forgotten thanks to this
year’s disappointment.
Forecast: 7-9. Terrell Owens' new
nice guy attitude gets thrown out the window after a 2-3 or 1-4
start. |
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ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Outlook:
This team’s two stars both would look great on the beach. Receiver
David Boston is 222 pounds of sculpted muscle who easily shakes
off cornerbacks. Jake Plummer came to camp sporting a six-pack, a
rarity among quarterbacks. It’s too bad the Cards aren’t as
well-developed on the field. The offense suffered a blow when
350-pound tackle Anthony Clement went down for the year. The
defense is a mess, not a good thing in the high-flying NFC West.
Forecast:
Expect a lot of 35-28 games, with the Cards on the losing end of
most. |
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SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Outlook: Make no mistake about this:
Trent Dilfer’s preseason injury could haunt this team
badly. Last year,
the Seahawks went 4-0 with him at the helm; they were 5-7
otherwise. And,
instead of playing in the AFC West, they enter the pass-happy
NFC West (facing quarterbacks Kurt Warner, Jeff Garcia and Jake
Plummer, along with arguably four of the six best receivers in
the League) with a less-than-stellar defensive secondary.
Their karma is the introduction of new uniforms; the
detractor there is having to play in a new stadium.
Pass on the Seahawks this year and bank on them in the
playoffs next year.
Forecast: 5-11. Matt Hasselbeck
gets exiled to Walla Walla after poor relief of Trent Dilfer. |
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