2006 NFC West Preview

Mike Holmgren’s Seattle Seahawks are still the best in the NFC West. And they may be the best all-around team in the NFL. With the Seahawks, Holmgren has molded a club that’s efficient on both ends of the ball. Last year’s Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh seems to have been a minor setback for a team so well positioned to take advantage of the near future.

The Seahawks did not lose a conference game in 2005. Overall they hammered the three other teams. That may not be the case this year. Arizona and St. Louis are both greatly improved.

The addition of running back Edgerrin James to the Arizona squad makes them extremely dangerous. Combined with the outstanding play of wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, teams will find it difficult to key on the Cards’ attack.

In a short amount of time, new coach Scott Linehan has improved the Rams, especially on defense. For St. Louis, this will be a season of growth, with more of a focus on the running game and the development of new talent.

In January 2005, Mike Nolan became the head coach of the 49ers, inheriting what was the worst team in the league. They still are the worst, despite some improvements. It’s less of finding strengths in this team than figuring out what parts aren't as weak as others. It will be a year of growing pains for this once-proud team.

2006 NFC West Predictions

Seattle has every opportunity to repeat. Arizona will be dangerous and the Rams should not be underestimated. The NFC West has just gotten a bit more competitive and interesting.

Predicted order of finish, click on the team name for a more in-depth look at the professional football club.

1) Seattle Seahawks
2) Arizona Cardinals
3) St. Louis Rams
4) San Francisco 49ers

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