For the AFC East preview, click here.
For the NFC South preview, click here.
For the AFC South preview, click here.
There's a full slate of games today to round out the preseason and my last day of work for the week. Four more divisions left, and it's time for us to head out west.
NFC West
Common opponents on schedule: NFC North, AFC East
2011 Record: 13-3, lost in NFC Championship game
Last year was a perfect storm for the Niners. Alex Smith turned into a competent quarterback and he had backup from a phenomenal defensive unit that picked up a ton of takeaways. I think both of these things will regress to the mean, but in a weak division the Niners should still come away with another crown. Alex Smith may not put up the same numbers as last year but he does have nice new weapons in Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. That defense still has great guys like Pat Willis and Justin Smith. They'll be a force to be reckoned with, especially in their second year under Harbaugh, but they won't have as inflated a record.
2011 Record: 8-8, missed playoffs
I debated back and forth about this spot after San Francisco, given that they should be the clear runaway in the division. The Cardinals have a pretty good defense with guys like Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett on the defensive line, and I like the look of their secondary on paper. What worries me is how they'll score points. Patrick Peterson can only return so many punts for touchdowns, so it rests with an offense led by either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, and we saw last year how that worked out. Pencil them in for a competitive season, but no playoff dreams this time around.
2011 Record: 7-9, missed playoffs
It will be interesting to see what Russell Wilson can do as the presumptive starter under center. I'm not entirely sold on the offense other than Marshawn Lynch because he causes earthquakes. The tight ends are decent in Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow, if a bit old, and the wideouts are largely young and unproven. But this team was decent last year, and with a slightly easier schedule (playing Carolina and Dallas as opposed to division winners) might give them a decent edge, assuming they survive playing the NFC North and a few tough games against the AFC East.
2011 Record: 2-14, missed playoffs
Sam Bradford is healthy, which always helps. But he doesn't have a lot of help on offense. Danny Amendola and the younger Steve Smith as your best wideouts isn't a great package and Stephen Jackson is 29 now. But with Bradford under center this team will do better than the 2-14 they suffered through last year. It probably won't save them from a top 10 pick, but this is a league where often times baby steps are needed to climb out of a hole.
It won't be up as early in the day, but tomorrow I'll get to the AFC West. I get to sleep in a bit as my 4 day weekend begins for Labor Day. Enjoy the last of preseason football! Or, if you prefer, rejoice that the real deal is almost here!
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