Monday 5 September 2016 16:36, UK
Sky Sports assess what to expect in the NFC West between the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers and Seahawks.
Head Coach: Pete Carroll
Key Man: Russell Wilson (Quarterback) - returned to his brilliant best at the end of last season and more of the same will ensure there is no scrapping around to make the playoffs this year.
Major Additions: Not an addition as such, but Seattle's most important work of the offseason was getting wide receiver Doug Baldwin to put pen to paper on a new contract extension till 2020.
Last Season: A slow start for the Seahawks, with four defeats from their first six putting their playoff hopes (and aspirations of a third straight Super Bowl appearance) in serious jeopardy. They then proceeded to win eight of their last ten games, reaching double-digit wins for the fourth season running. Involved in a pair of thrillers in the playoffs, beating the Minnesota Vikings on the back of a missed game-winning field goal, but then losing out to the Panthers after very nearly overturning a 31-0 deficit.
Prospects: No such sluggish start in 2016, expect Seattle to sprint out of the blocks. Russell Wilson was flawless down the stretch for the Seahawks last year, and his link-up with the re-signed Doug Baldwin coupled with the ever-effective Legion of Boom defense, will see Seattle reclaim the West division title that they relinquished to the Cardinals in 2015.
Prediction: First (12-4)
Head Coach: Bruce Arians
Key Man: Carson Palmer (Quarterback) - much like Peyton Manning last year this could be Palmer's last chance and he has the armory at his disposal.
Major Additions: Defensive end Chandler Jones joins from the New England Patriots, making an already intimidating defense that little bit more dominant.
Last Season: A truly terrific season which saw the Cardinals clinch their first NFC West title since 2009, and a first round bye for the first time in franchise history after a first ever 13-win season. All slightly soured though by their 49-15 capitulation to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship game.
Prospects: So much depends on how 36-year-old quarterback, Carson Palmer, pulls up after that crushing defeat, in which he threw four interceptions. Will it be that version of No3 that plays out the season, or the one that posted career highs of 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns on the season. Me thinks it will be the latter, with two-time NFL Head Coach of the Year, Bruce Arians, guiding this team to the playoffs again.
Prediction: Second (11-5)
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Key Man: Todd Gurley (Running back) - can build on his position as last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year with his pace, confidence and swagger likely to appeal to the new LA audience.
Major Additions: Quarterback Jared Goff; No.1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and a return to the City of Angels, LA.
Last Season: Another 7-9 finish for the Jeff Fisher-led Rams - the second in four seasons for the middling franchise, with the other tallies of 7-8-1, and 6-10 hardly straying too far from the mediocre mark. But they might well dream of such lofty heights, as despite a great defense and 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year running back, Todd Gurley, 2016 is set to be a struggle with their No.1 overall pick in the Draft, Jared Goff, yet to convince in training camp or preseason.
Prospects: It's a tough call on who will finish bottom of this competitive division, but the Rams will just inch above the cellar door by riding that stellar defense of theirs, relying on Gurley to help out Goff, and thanks to a feel-good factor of a franchise return to LA.
Prediction: Third (6-10)
Head Coach: Chip Kelly
Key Man: NaVorro Bowman (Linebacker) - three-time Pro Bowler and now the second highest paid linebacker in the league. Bowman led the defensive numbers for the 49ers in 2015 and will need to do so again.
Major Additions: Nothing really to speak of in terms of player personnel, but the much-maligned head coach at the end of his spell with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly, leads the team into 2016.
Last Season: A horror show of a season littered with injuries to key players and disaffection among others. Rookie head coach, Jim Tomsula, couldn't handle it all, and promptly paid the price by losing his job.
Prospects: Another potential horror show awaits. Chip Kelly's tenure with the Eagles ended with injuries to key players and disaffection among others. Sound familiar? Reason for optimism resides in the fact that quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, and running back, Carlos Hyde, appear to be perfect fits for Kelly's high-tempo offense, but Kaepernick has been injured for most of the offseason, and is no guarantee to start over Blaine Gabbert even when fully fit, while Hyde couldn't stay healthy last year. It all means San Francisco are unlikely to improve on their 5-11 mark from 2015.
Prediction: Fourth (4-12)
