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NFL: Predicting the NFC’s division winners

By Michael Burke

Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC West:

1. Seattle Seahawks: 12-4

I so badly wanted to pick the San Francisco 49ers to win the West, but the Seahawks wouldn’t all me to.

Seattle, fresh off perhaps the most dominating performance I’ve ever seen in a championship, hasn’t seemed to miss a beat. In their third preseason game, the Seahawks humiliated the Bears and did not allow Chicago’s starters to even get on the scoreboard.

Pete Carroll’s team still has the NFL’s best defense and a young quarterback that is only getting better. As much as I hate to admit it, the Seahawks will return to the Super Bowl in February.

2. San Francisco 49ers: 11-5

The 49ers might have the best roster in the NFL, but Colin Kaepernick and his offense have not appeared to be on the same page this preseason. In three games, Kaepernick did not throw a single touchdown pass. To me, it spells a slow start for San Francisco to begin the regular season, which, because they don’t want another playoff game at Qwest Field, the 49ers simply can’t afford.

3. Arizona Cardinals: 8-8

I planned all offseason to pick Arizona to join division-rivals Seattle and San Francisco in the 2014-15 playoffs, but three things dissuaded me from doing so: 1) Carson Palmer is still the Cardinals’ starting quarterback, 2) the Cardinals lost Darnell Dockett for the season, and 3) Carson Palmer is still the Cardinals’ starting quarterback.

4. St. Louis Rams: 3-13

The Rams are far, far more talented than a 3-win team, but losing Sam Bradford for the season is a devastating blow. I’m not Bradford’s biggest fan, but with what I consider a talented football team, he could have won six or seven games this season, something that I don’t believe replacement quarterback Shaun Hill can do.

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