NFC West Preview

1. Seattle Seahawks

Predicted Record: 8-8
Playoff Seed: 4

Key Player: Deion Branch, The Seahawks traded away their #1 wideout from last season and have essentially told Deion that he is the man. Only problem is that Deion has never really been the man. He's never had over 1000 yards in a season. The Seahawks could certainly use Deion passing that number so they could take off a bit of the load from Alexander.

Fantasy Player to Eye: Shaun Alexander, Last season people couldn't wait to drop a top three pick on Alexander. He was coming off one of the greatest seasons in the history of pro football. And this season? People are proclaiming Addai and Gore better options? Players that had one good season thus far in their careers. If Alexander stays healthy, he will again emerge amongst the top 3.

Why the Record: The Seahawks are fading strong from their Superbowl year. They traded their #1 wideout to a division rival? Alexander was banged up all season last year. The Hutcheson loss at Left Guard was incredibly significant. They should be around a .500 team give or take a few games.

Projected Wins: TB, ARI, STL, @CLE, CHI, @STL, ARI, @ATL
Projected Losses: CIN, @SF, @PIT, NO, SF, @PHI, @CAR, BAL

2. Arizona Cardinals

Predicted Record: 7-9

Key Position: Offensive Lineman, 3.4 thats a big stat that needs to improve for the Cardinals this season. What is that number? The Edge's yards per carry in 2006. If that stays so low the Cards will thrust even more pressure on the Father in Training's shoulders.

Fantasy Player to Watch: Matt Leinart, The benefit of being Matt Leinart is Fitz, Boldin and Edge. He has massive weapons around him so regardless of whether or not he has cannon arm strength he's going to put up big numbers. Just look at Pennington, he can put up Ws and some numbers occasionally and Chad's arm doesn't belong in the same sentence as Leinart's.

Why the Record: The defense, the offensive line, the lack of experience at QB, the aging of the Running Back, the new coaching staff. The Cardinals have too many shaky pieces to put together a breakout season.

Projected Wins: @SF, CAR, @TB, DET, SF, CLE, STL
Projected Losses: SEA, @BAL, PIT, @STL, @WAS, @CIN, @SEA, @NO, ATL

3. San Francisco 49ers

Predicted Record: 7-9

Key Player: Alex Smith, there were moments in time last season when Alex Smith looked like he wouldn't be a complete NFL bust. At the end of the season Smith finished with pedestrian numbers. I know Gore put up huge numbers but they need Smith's arm to bring balance to the offense.

Fantasy Player to Watch: Darrell Jackson, I really have no idea what to expect from Alex Smith this season, so I have no idea if Jackson's stats from last season will hold up. I've never particularly liked Jackson as a fantasy player and this added question mark leads me to avoid even more.

Why the Record: The 49ers are the sheek pick for many. I'm just not that big of a believer. I feel as if their a few years off and people are banking on Gore to remain an elite running back. Sometimes people are just nasty for a single season. To me I just don't trust them yet.

Projected Wins: @STL, SEA, BAL, NO, @SEA, TB, @CLE
Projected Losses:ARI, @PIT, @NYG, @ATL, STL, @ARI, @CAR, MIN, CIN

4. St. Louis Rams

Predicted Record: 7-9

Key Player: Torry Holt, Holt recently expressed that he was at only 80%, which I wish I knew prior to picking him. If he in fact cannot recover and be the consistent deep threat than the Rams offense will be much less dynamic and thus their chances of winning the division highly diminish.

Fantasy Player to Eye: Isaac Bruce or Drew Bennett, the Rams picked up Drew Bennett in the offseason to challenge for a starting receivers role. Currently Bennett is nursing a few injuries so it looks like Bruce will maintain that role. It will be something to watch as the secondary receiver in this offense should wind up with large stats.

Why the Record: There just a middle of the pack team and have been for awhile. I think there's a chance that they finish 9-7 or 10-6, so this is probably the low water mark for them this season. But Holt is already banged up, their defense is suspect and Bulger has gotten banged up in the past.

Projected Wins: CAR, @TB, @DAL, ARI, CLE, @SF, ATL
Projected Losses: SF, @BAL, @SEA, @NO, SEA, @CIN, GB, PIT, @ARI