NFL: From Worst To First? Why The NFC West Might Now Be The Best Division In Football

Nfc It was only a few years ago that the NFC West was considered the worst division in the NFL, and all of pro football for that matter. It was the laughing stock of the whole league as the Seattle Seahawks won a divisional title with a 7-9 record, becoming the first team ever to make the play-offs with a losing record back in 2010. Fast forward a couple of years and it is difficult to picture how the NFC West could be transformed into arguably the best and most interesting division in the NFL, as we approach the start of the 2013 season in a little over a weeks time. The situation was so dire that a genuine discussion was held about whether the governing body of the league needed to alter - or at the very least look at - the seeding system for the play-offs. Now as the long off-season prepares to draw to a close, analysts and fans alike are busy preparing who they feel might make the post-season. They - like me - will probably give huge consideration to multiple teams from the NFC West making it beyond the regular season calendar. While it might seem unlikely, it is a real possibility that three of those four teams, most likely San Francisco, Seattle and St Louis, will all make it through, though in this scenario two of those will have to settle for a wild-card spot. The rise of this division is a strange one yes, and surprising as it may be, the similarities between these organisations are frightening. It all began prior to the 2010 season that led many to naturally write off the NFC West as a bit of a joke, a division that would struggle to rise again. One of the great things about the NFL is that through the NFL Draft, the salary cap and free agency, teams who have endured years of humiliation and losing records have the potential to build around new players from College Football, and in a few years may be contenders. In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks fired coach Jim Mora after one season at the helm, duly hiring USC coach Pete Carroll as his successor and John Schneider as General Manager, the latter having arrived from the Green Bay Packers where he held the role of Director of Football Operations. A year later the San Francisco 49ers did the same as highly rated Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, brother of Baltimore Ravens coach John, was given his first head coaching gig in the NFL and respected scout Trent Baalke also arrived. In 2012, the St Louis Rams followed suit following a disastrous 2011 season where they held the joint worst record in the NFL - 2-14, firing Steve Spagnuolo and appointing Jeff Fisher, back after a one year hiatus following a 16 year stint in charge of the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans, and Les Snead arrived from the Atlanta Falcons as General Manager. One similarity: Not just the coaching changes which are the norm in the NFL, but the willingness and risk involved in going out and appointing hungry individuals in an attempt to improve your fortunes, instead of taking the safe bet. The progress is there for all to see. The 49ers reached the play-offs in Harbaugh's first season in charge - the first time for the franchise since 2002 - and saw them overcome the New Orleans Saints in thrilling fashion. Last season, they went one better, helped by the mid-season emergence of quarterback Colin Kaepernick the 49ers carried this momentum all the way to the Super Bowl where they were eventually pipped by the Ravens. They will enter the 2013 season as one of the favourites to represent the NFC and more than that to emerge as winners come its conclusion. Baalke in a little over two years - while he has inherited some talented individuals - has built a roster capable of challenging, a sign that things can change so quickly in the NFL. All eyes will be on Kaepernick as he embarks on his first full season as starter. Then you have the dependable Vernon Davis at tight-end, receiver Anquan Boldin who was acquired in a trade from the Ravens this off-season, then there is Frank Gore at running back, a solid offensive line that includes Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati and several weapons on the defensive side of the ball including pass rusher Aldon Smith, his namesake Justin, and arguably the best linebacking core in the league. Then there is the Seahawks who - having pushed the 49ers all the way in the NFC West last season - will be expected to build on their 11-5 finish and attempt to steal the division crown from them. Like Baalke, Schneider has made several risky moves that have paid major dividends including the decision to draft quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Wilson went on to beat Matt Flynn to the starting spot and then proceed to toss 26 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, while other acquisitions such as the trade that saw Marshawn Lynch join them from the Bills in 2010 have seen Seattle become one of the most feared teams in the NFL operating an effective read-option offense. Then there is the draft 'steals' of Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman which have equipped the Seahawks with one of the best secondary units in the entire league. It is well documented that a good draft can put the pieces in place for more successes further down the line and this is epitomised with the excellent drafts both the 49ers and Seahawks have had over the last few years. St Louis have had a very promising year or so since they hired both Fisher and Snead. The decision was taken early on that quarterback Sam Bradford, drafted first overall out of Oklahoma in 2010, was still their franchise quarterback. They subsequently traded down with the Redskins prior to the 2012 draft and received multiple picks in return which they have used to re-stock the roster with exciting young talent, including drafting explosive receiver/running back Tavon Austin in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Having only compiled 15 wins in 5 seasons between 2007-11, the improved Rams posted a marked improvement last season finishing with a 7-8-1 record. Their only real thrashing was at Wembley as they were beaten 45-7 by the Patriots. Their defense - like the Seahawks and the 49ers - is a unit to be feared with the likes of defensive end Chris Long, linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Cortland Finnegan at the heart of it. If they can keep Sam Bradford upright (the acquisition of tackle Jake Long in free agency should help), then the Rams have a great opportunity to improve on their showing last season. They allowed Danny Amendola to leave for New England in free agency, but Chris Givens showed last year in his rookie campaign that he can provide a genuine deep threat for them as he hauled in 42 passes for 698 yards and three touchdowns, while setting the NFL rookie record for most consecutive games with a 50-yard plus reception. Unsurprisingly, with the 49ers, Seahawks and Rams making significant front office and coaching changes in recent times that the division's other team, the Arizona Cardinals, would eventually do the same. Despite starting the 2012 season 4-0, the Cardinals would only register one more victory, ending the season 5-11. The poor run down the stretch that saw the team use four quarterbacks along the way saw the demise of coach Ken Whisenhunt and General Manager Rod Graves. The team appointed long-time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians who had guided the Colts to a play-off berth in 2012 as head coach, and promoted from within to fill their General Manager vacancy with Steve Keim taking the hot seat. Arians soon let go of 2012 starting quarterback Kevin Kolb and backup John Skelton as he set about stamping his mark ahead of the 2013 season, before he traded for Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer who failed to live up to his billing following his costly trade from the Bengals in 2011. The team does boast one of the best and most consistent wide receivers in the league in Larry Fitzgerald, and linebacker Daryl Washington had a superb 2012 campaign. Yet with the 49ers, Seahawks and Rams taking significant steps towards improvement, the 2013 season promises to be a challenging one for the Cardinals, but they must hope they can make progress like the Rams did last season. Witnessing the Indianapolis Colts go from a 2-14 record in 2011 to an 11-5 play-off team a year later should give them confidence that a rapid turn around in fortunes is possible. Moreover, following years where the NFC West was lambasted as being the worst division in the NFL, the 2013 battle for the NFC West crown looks to be one of the more hotly anticipated sub-plots heading into the new season. The NFC East which features the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys has long been considered the most tough, and competitive in pro-football. It might be time for that title to be passed onto the West. The 49ers, Seahawks and Rams have shown that progress can be made in a short space of time. This is commonplace in the NFL, but the rapid nature of their respective ascents has been startling. The Rams have work to do still but are sure to continue to make progress, the Cardinals may challenge for the division in a couple of years though they are sure to provide a stern test this season. The end result is clear. The 49ers and Seahawks in particular boast talented rosters and huge expectation. But it seems the days of laughing at the mediocre NFC West are long gone. This is arguably the best, most open and exciting division in Football.
In this post: 
NFC
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

I am a hard working, versatile and enthusiastic writer who covers a variety of topics - mostly Sports related - including articles on Football, Cricket and the NFL. I have had experience writing for Northwood Football Club in the last couple of years as well, and I am somebody who is always looking to embrace a new challenge. Follow me on Twitter @Matt_Journalist