NFL power rankings: Breaking down the league’s toughest divisions
By Peter Panacy
Record-wise, the NFC West should be lower in our NFL divisional power rankings than the AFC South.
But unlike the latter, two teams in the NFC West made substantial changes to get things on track heading into 2017. Both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers brought in a new front office and made substantial changes to their respective rosters.
This will help, and both teams are finally back on the upswing. But it’s going to be a while before either L.A. or San Francisco can start thinking about a playoff push. 2018, perhaps. Just not soon.
Instead, the division race falls between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals will hope veteran quarterback Carson Palmer stays healthy and the age-defying Larry Fitzgerald continues his prowess at wide receiver.
Oh, and running back David Johnson is pretty good too. Same goes with Arizona’s defense.
But the Cardinals defense is nowhere near the level in Seattle, especially after the Seahawks pulled off the blockbuster trade acquiring defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the New York Jets.
Yeah, that’s going to make the Seahawks a mean bunch.
Sure, Seattle has offensive line problems and some questions in the running game. But there’s little reason to assume anyone else but Seattle takes home the NFC West crown.