NFC West Preview
This is the article most Hawks fans in the region have been looking toward. Most friends of mine are Hawks fans so without further ado lets' get right to it. Chris will start in regular font and I will put my predictions in Bold.
Seattle (11-5): After years of rightful complaining about the offensive line (George Fant should never be the answer) the Hawks have…. not done much. A basketball player, a horribly failed #2 pick moved to left guard, a twice waived tackle at right guard, and Ifedi (could still be good) at right tackle. That sounds like what you want blocking for Russell Wilson. That being said, this team should still manage to put up enough points to win games, as they have a top 2 crowd (them and KC) and a great defense. Look for the defense, with a healthy Thomas, to stop their three year trend of giving up more points than the previous season, and push for a bye during wild card weekend.
Seattle (12-4): In what figures to be a super competitive NFC this year, the Hawks will manage to get the number 2 seed with a record of 12-4 losing the head to head to Green Bay in week 1 ( See every week matters). Look the NFC is stacked this year, and if they can get by the tough teams on the schedule in Green Bay, Atlanta, Tennessee and Dallas and manage not to slip up against the Rams/Cardinals like they happen to every year they will be the top seed but that offensive line is what is going to prevent that from happening. I see the defense staying the same as it always is and the return of the Earl Thomas will assist that in happening but they are on injury in the secondary away from falling flat on their faces like last year.
St. Louis…. errr… Los Angeles Rams (9-7): Weapons for the Rams on offense? Yup, this team actually has some options on offense. With the acquisition of Sammy Watkins and drafting Cooper Kupp, everything is in place for Goff to take a step in his second year, and show they were right to take him so early in the draft. Andrew Whitworth will be a big addition to this o-line, and help Gurley get numbers closer to his rookie season. Look for Aaron Donald to continue to be a monster, and cement himself as the best interior defensive lineman in football, as well as make a run at DPOY.
Los Angeles Rams (5-11): I don't believe in Jared Goff, I do believe that Aaron Donald is going to be as good as he was the last few years but other than that what do the Rams have going for them? The schedule is brutal including 3 cross country trips plus a trip to London. Sure, they traded for Sammy Watkins but the o-line has to protect Goff, and Goff has to throw accurate passes in order for Watkins to be successful. I don't see anything good happening this year for the Rams.
Arizona (6-10): This team is right on the edge of the cliff, and I don’t see them leaning the right way. Yes, they have David Johnson; who could be a serious threat to break the yards from scrimmage record in a season (2509,) and Mr. Underrated in Larry Fitzgerald. Carson Palmer though, might be done. Entering his 15th season with multiple injuries to his knees in his career, he might already be at the end of the road. I would love to see him prove me wrong, as this offense is a joy to watch when it’s humming with the trio of Johnson, Fitzgerald, and John Brown stretching the field. I just don’t see it, and the defense is going to sorely miss Calais Campbell up front. Might be time for a rebuild/new QB in the desert.
Arizona (8-8) : Arizona will just miss out on the last wildcard birth this year in what is going to be a full rebuild mode after this season. David Johnson is the workhorse of this team, but unless John Brown and the other receivers not named Larry Fitzgerald step up like they did in 2015 expect similar results to the 2016 Cardinals. You can only rely on one person so much before that person breaks down. The good news for the Cardinals that can change this from 8 wins to 9 or even 10 is the fact that all the major games on their schedule are at home. Another key for the Cardinals is keeping Palmer healthy and upright and the o-line has the ability to do so. Arizona will be in it this year, I just don't think they have enough to finish out strong.
San Francisco (3-13): Although this team looks to be one of the worst 3-5 teams in football, they are the one that seem to have their priorities most in order. After robbing the Bears at the draft and picking up extra picks, signing a legit placeholder QB in Hoyer for a couple years, and bringing in one of the most talented offensive minds in football with Kyle Shanahan, the rebuild is underway and looks good in San Fran. Pierre Garcon and Carlos Hyde should provide some excitement on offense, and if this team can continue to have good drafts in the future (great job John Lynch) as well as possibly reunite Kirk Cousins with Kyle Shanahan, things could be looking bright very soon in Levi Stadium.
San Francisco (3-13): Well. At-least they will have Kirk Cousins in 2018 right? Actually I believe that the 49ers trade for cousins before the trade deadline and finish 5-11, but this preview is with the current roster and the current roster has Brian Hoyer as the starting QB. The Niners are young, and have one of the worst rosters in the league besides the Jets. I do however like what they did on the defensive side of the ball by getting Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. That will help, but the Niners are rebuilding so expect a rebuilding type of year for them. It's going to be a long one in San Fran. The extra draft picks that they stole from Chicago should also be something to lean on out by the bay.
Quick Toss:
Divison MVP: Aaron Donald – L.A. Rams
Division MVP: David Johnson- Arizona
Defense Rookie of the year: Reuben Foster- S.F.
DROY: Hassan Reddick- Arizona
Offensive Rookie of the year: Cooper Kupp – L.A. Rams
OROY: Cooper Kupp – L.A. Rams
OPOY: David Johnson – Arizona
OPOY: Russell Wilson- Seattle
DPOY: Aaron Donald – L.A. Rams
DPOY: Earl Thomas- Seattle
