We are still months away from training camps beginning, but it is never too early to cause a few more arguments on this site. Here are my NFC West predictions for 2016:
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals had the best record in the NFC West by 3 games and there is no reason to think they can’t win the NFC West again. However, Carson Palmer is another year older, and their best free agent signing was a 34 year old guard. Chandler Jones looks like a fantastic trade pickup, but he needs to prove he can stay out of trouble. If everything goes right, the Cardinals will be right back near the top of the NFC. However, the age and injury proneness of their roster is concerning. Regardless, they’re clearly the best team in the NFC West again.
Prediction: 12-4
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks lost Beastmode to retirement and are handing the reins to Thomas Rawls. Rawls did fantastic filling in for the injury riddled Marshawn Lynch last year, but the question is whether he can do it every week. The Seahawks offensive line is bound to get worse with the loss of Russell Okung. Their draft pick Germain Ifedi was terrible at left tackle in college and it is unknown who the Seahawks will use there. Their defense should still be superb, although they took some hits there too. All in all, the Seahawks offseason was simply bad. However, that defense and Russell Wilson will still get them enough wins to challenge for a playoff spot.
Prediction: 10-6
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have narrowed the gap between themselves and the best of the West by drafting Jared Goff at quarterback. Goff is very talented and has the most upside of any quarterback in the draft, and as much as he needs to learn, he is better than anything the Rams had last year. The Rams had a powerful rush attack led by Todd Gurley as well as an incredible pass rush, but inconsistency plagued the Rams’ defense last year. It will up to them to get more consistent on that side of the ball. However, the Rams biggest issue was quarterback last year, and improving their will get them at least to .500.
Prediction: 9-7
San Francisco 49ers
Yuck! The 49ers incompetent front office followed up one of the worst offseasons in history with another really bad one. Colin Kaepernick wanted to be traded and they had no issues with trading him. The only problem is he was not traded and is now their eating more cap space. They lost one of their two good offensive linemen to Minnesota and traded up in the draft to replace him with a project. Their defense is projected to be just as horrendous as last year, although DeForest Buckner will be a stud. And somebody better tell the 49ers that its pretty hard to win when you have a quarterback who does not want to play there. Chip Kelly will have his hands full with this team. Hey, at least they cut Jordan Devey.
Prediction: 3-13
The real SacSig
Is Oliver really Mike?