2013 NFL Predictions: NFC West Division Odds and Picks – 49ers the Favorite

2013 NFL Predictions: NFC West Division Odds and Picks – Falcons the Favorite: It’s hard to believe that the NFC West was the worst division in the NFL just a couple of years ago when the Seattle Seahawks took the title with a 7-9 record. The same division has emerged as a powerhouse the past two years, and last year, two teams made the playoffs with the San Francisco 49ers parlaying the NFC West crown into a Super Bowl appearance. The 49ers have now won the division in back-to-back years, and while they are actually on the short list of Super Bowl favorites heading into the 2013 season, the Seahawks are, as well. Not to mention the fact that the rest of the division got better in the offseason. With that in mind, here is a closer look at how the NFC West stacks up heading into the 2013 NFL season.

1.      San Francisco 49ers (Prediction: 12-4)

While their heart-breaking loss in the Super Bowl can’t be easy to stomach, the 49ers should take a little solace in knowing that they have a team capable of playing for a title again in 2013. Even though San Francisco will be without receiver Michael Crabtree to open the year, a full season of Colin Kaepernick under center should do wonders for an offense that already features an excellent offensive line and power running game. Meanwhile, the defense is still as nasty as they come. Stars like Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Carlos Rogers are all back, and the 49ers actually added depth in the offseason by signing Glenn Dorsey and Nnamdi Asomugha and drafting safety Eric Reid and defensive end “Tank” Carradine in the first two rounds. Plain and simple, San Francisco is loaded.

2.      Seattle Seahawks (Prediction: 10-6)

Pete Carroll had quietly been putting together a solid core in Seattle, but quarterback Russell Wilson’s sudden rise to stardom as a rookie allowed the Seahawks to explode last season. An excellent offense line and the running of Marshawn Lynch will remain the focal point of Seattle’s scoring attack in 2013, but Wilson dual-threat ability takes the offense to another level. If offseason acquisition Percy Harvin can get healthy at some point, the offense could be really special. Meanwhile, the defense is already special, and all the main cogs are back for a unit that led the NFL in scoring defense a year ago. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner are as good as they come, and the pass-rushing ability of free agent signee Cliff Avril is just what the doctor ordered for a defensive front that was already stout against the run. The Seahawks win in the trenches and hit opponents hard on both sides of the ball. The formula should have them back in the playoffs in 2013.

3.      St. Louis Rams (Prediction: 8-8)

Head coach Jeff Fisher definitely changed the culture in his first year in St. Louis, but if the Rams are going to continue to improve, quarterback Sam Bradford and the offense have to be better. In order to speed up the process, the Rams moved up into the top 10 in the draft to snag receiver Tavon Austin and signed athletic tight end Jared Cook and Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jake Long. Even with the loss of veteran running back, Steven Jackson, the unit looks better on paper. That being said, the defense should remain the strength of this team. Chris Long heads one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL, and the Rams actually tied for the league lead with 52.0 sacks in 2012. Tackling machine James Laurinaitis heads the linebacking corps, and the secondary emerged as a force last year with the signing of safety Cortland Finnegan and emergence of rookie corner Janoris Jenkins. St. Louis also added two more potential starters in the 2012 draft in linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety T.J. McDonald. The defense alone should keep the Rams hovering around the .500 mark, but the offense will really have to improve if they are going to challenge for a playoff spot.

4.      Arizona Cardinals (Prediction: 6-10)

The good news for Arizona is that the offseason addition of Carson Palmer provides a stable force under center for a team that used four different QBs in 2012. Palmer’s arrival also means that star receiver Larry Fitzgerald will have a chance to make an impact once again. The bad news is that offense line that allowed the most sacks and blocked for the NFL’s worst ground game made only minimal upgrades, which will play a role in minimizing the signings of Palmer and running back Rashard Mendenhall. On the flipside, offseason moves on the defensive side of the ball could make a real impact as linebacker Jasper Brinkley and safety Yeremiah Bell join a unit that features defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and corner Patrick Peterson. At the end of the day, the Cardinals got better in the offseason, but they are still several moves away from contending for anything significant.

Odds to win the NFC West
San Francisco 49ers win NFC West +105
Seattle Seahawks win NFC West +125
St. Louis Rams win NFC West +825
Arizona Cardinals win NFC West +3300

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