Predictions for the 2009 NFC West Division
Can the Cardinals Return to the Super Bowl, Seattle the Team to Beat
Sep 10, 2009 Derek J Griebenow
The battle for the division crown will be a tight race between the Seahawks, Cards, and possibly the 49ers; forget the Rams. If the three can stay healthy it will definitely be a struggle for NFC West supremacy.
Here's a look at how the West may finish in 2009.
Seattle Seahawks 9-7 +/- 2 wins
Arizona Cardinals 8-8 +/- 1 win
San Francisco 49ers 7-9 +/- 2 wins
St. Louis Rams 3-13 maybe 0-16
The Seahawks owned the West for four straight seasons before an injury plagued 2008 allowed for Arizona to strip them of their dominance. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returns after missing nine starts in '08 (back) to reclaim what belongs to the 'Hawks.
2009 Seahawks Bottom Line
The signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the emergence of tight end John Carlson finally gives Hasselbeck durable and dependable targets. As a rookie in 2008, Carlson led Seattle with 55 catches, 627 yards, and 5 touchdowns; hence the signing of T.J.. If Deion Branch and Nate Burleson can stay healthy, this receiving corps will allow Hasselbeck a smooth return to the driver seat.
Seattle wisely signed running back Edgerrin James to help the run game. James can be an every down back that can wear down a defense and catch passes out of the backfield. This will also allow the hot/cold Julius Jones to carry less of the load as he fell off the radar late in the 2008 season.
Defensive tackles Colin Cole and Cory Redding were picked up to replace departed Rocky Bernard as Seattle returns 9 of 11 starters on defense. Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson (Lions) was replaced by Aaron Curry with the 4th pick in the 2009 draft. Curry is expected to be a future Pro Bowler himself.
SEATTLE MUST STAY HEALTHY. Twenty-six players combined to miss 164 games in '08, with all five O-line starters finishing the season on injured reserve. A healthy season will return Seattle to the top of the West.
In 2008, the Cards rode a weak division winning all 6 games against the West to finish 9-7. That's 3-7 versus the rest of the league! Yes, they made it to the Super Bowl, but it was Fitzgerald that got them there with a ridiculous 30 catches for 546 yards and 7 touchdowns in 4 post-season games. It will be hard for one player to carry a team for an entire 16 game season.
2009 Cardinals Bottom Line
The defense is overrated as they allowed opponents 26 points per game (28th in NFL). Any team that could pass embarrassed them as Favre threw 6 touchdowns in week 4 and the Brady-less Patriots won 47-7 in week 16. And they did nothing to improve the defense in the off season.
Quarterback Kurt Warner is good but also a hip injury away from retirement (hip surgery in off season), and backup Matt Leinart is so far a bust. They drafted a very good running back in the 1st round in “Beanie” Chris Wells; which would be a good move if they ran the ball. The Cardinals ran an NFL low 340 times in 2008, and probably won't run more in 2009.
The Cardinals will suffer in 2009 if their defense doesn't perform and they continue to refuse to run. The passing game can score, but the more Warner throws, the higher the risk for injury. They could even be passed by the 49ers in the West. No Super Bowl run for sure.
The 49ers have a coach that will get the most out of his players in Mike Singletary, but no proven QB could stunt any success in 2009. The 49ers ranked 13th in 2008 with 211 passing yards per game but with 1st round pick WR Michael Crabtree still unsigned as of September 1, passing chemistry could be in flux early on in the season.
2009 49ers Bottom Line
One thing the 49ers will try to do is run the ball, but their 1,599 yards ranked 27th in 2008. Running back Frank Gore is the workhorse, but rookie Glen Coffee is expected to spell him from time to time to keep Gore fresh and to be productive.
Whether it's Shaun Hill or Alex Smith, the quarterback play will have to be more consistent to keep opposing defenses from stacking up to stop the run.
The defense returns all 11 starters lead by linebackers Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. The unit ranked 13th overall last season, and more of a pass rush could improve that ranking.
The 49ers could either win 9 games and finish second, or repeat last seasons 7 win mark. It will all depend on the quarterback play.
The Rams are truly rebuilding, returning 14 of 21 starters and hiring a rookie head coach in Steve Spagnuolo.
2009 Rams Bottom Line
The only light on offense is RB Steven Jackson as inconsistent QB Marc Bulger will likely be showed the door after 2009; especially with no quality receiver to throw to..
The defense is no better, giving up 2,475 yards (4th most) on the ground (154 per game), and the second most touchdowns allowed (26). The pass defense was 14th in the NFL but probably because teams threw less given their success running the ball.
Rebuild and they will come. The Rams would love 5 wins but it won't likely happen until 2011 or beyond. They have to rebuild their confidence and identity first.
Clearly a healthy Seattle team is the team to beat in the 2009 NFC West Division.
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