I did a quick Internet search and came up with a few 2008 NFC West Previews for your viewing pleasure. Here they are…

Arizona wins the division?!
Seattle takes the cake!
Seattle is king of the f’n mountain.
ESPN on board the Seattle Seahawks’ bandwagon!

I’ve perused the links above and now it is time to compile my own 2008 NFC West Preview. A far more superior preview than any you have ever read. Let us commence…

Seattle Seahawks
Record: 11-5
Pros: While there are a multitude of reasons why Seattle will dominate the division, the main reason Seattle will dominate is because of their quarterback play. Year after year, Matt Hasselbeck shows the poise and determination that it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback. Some would say, I happen to agree, that Hasselbeck is the best quarterback in the NFC. The 2008 season is just another chance for Hasselbeck to display his dominance and show the rest of the NFC West how to play the game.

With Hasselbeck lining up behind center, the Seahawks look to be a dominate force on the offensive side of the ball, but Seattle’s defense is by no means a barrel of monkeys. With talent at every position, Seattle’s defense is looking to pick up right where it left off last season. Players like Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu, Patrick Kerney, and Marcrus Trufant are ready to turn their division titles into championship titles.

Cons: Seattle is good, but if anything is going to hold them back, it is going to be their wide receivers and their new implementations at running back. Currently, Seattle is looking at a Bobby Engram holdout, a serious injury to one of their playmakers (Deion Branch), and the loss of one of their better pass catchers last season (D.J. Hackett). All that said, Seattle can really only count on one receiver at this point, Nate Burleson. Do not fear, the season is not totally lost. Seattle has young talent in Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor that could become standout wideouts. Only time (and training camp) will tell.

The other Achilles’ heal for Seattle is the running game. While the running game has the ability to be much better than last season, it is just to early to tell what kind of product Seattle will put on the field come season opener. There is potential, no doubt, but there are far more questions. Can the line solidify under the tutelage of O-line coach Mike Solari? Can Julius Jones be a consistent ball carrier that puts up 100+ yards each game? Can T.J. Duckett pick up the short yards that Seattle could not last season? As you see, there are a number of questions. We won’t really get a good idea of what the running game will be like until we see the players in training camp. Until then, the running game remains a con.

St. Louis Rams
Record: 9-7
Pros: Looking back on last season, St. Louis had only one real pro, and that was Steven Jackson. Even though he had a few minor injury set backs, Jackson continued to show that he is one of the best running backs in the game. Jackson’s versatility is unmatched in the NFC West, and he just continues to get better.

While Jackson remains the biggest pro for St. Louis, Marc Bulger is not to be underestimated. If Bulger can stay healthy this season, he will be one of the main reasons St. Louis posts a 9-7 record and possibly a playoff berth. With targets like Torry Holt and Randy McMichael (if he lives up to his potential this season), Bulger can only succeed. With that said, I think this is the year the NFC West sends two teams to the playoffs.

While Jackson and Bulger will undoubtedly score points, the majority of St. Louis’ scoring will off the foot of K Josh Brown. The Brown signing was an under-the-radar pickup that could tip the balance of the NFC West ever so slightly in St. Louis’ favor.

Cons: No matter how good their offense may be, St. Louis will only be as good as their defense. Unfortunately St. Louis’ defense isn’t very good. Last season St. Louis allowed 27.4 points per game. Not a good number if your offense is only scoring 16.4 points per game. Adam Carriker was a great selection in the Draft, but there are still holes that need to be filled. Until those holes are filled, we won’t see the Seattle versus St Louis battles of old.

San Francisco 49ers
Record: 8-8
Pros: Wait, just give me a second here. I know there has to be a pro, somewhere. Oh yeah, Frank Gore. I’m sorry San Francisco, but you need help. Mike Martz will help and offense that was ranked dead last in yards per game last season. While Martz’s presence will no doubt help, it will still be up to the unproven Alex Smith to show he’s a NFL quarterback. With free agent acquisitions Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, the San Francisco aerial attack should improve. With Frank Gore running strong and an improved passing attack, San Francisco could finally turn the corner.

Along with the improving offense, San Francisco will also look to LB Patrick Willis, and they won’t be disappointed. Willis put up a phenomenal 174 tackle season for San Francisco. Willis will continue to improve his all-around game and will be a force in the league for some time. If he had even an ounce of help, that defense make some noise.

Cons: I am going with defense, minus Patrick Willis. Looking at the stats from last season, San Francisco was dead last in the NFC with a -12 give/take differential. All this after spending big money on Nate Clements. While they did make some moves in the off season, I really don’t feel like they addressed their critical needs. In a pass-happy NFC West, San Francisco could have invested a draft pick in a top-notch corner. Walt Harris isn’t getting any younger. The free-agent addition of DE Justin Smith was a decent move, but he won’t scare anyone in the NFC West with his current skills. Mike Nolan can work miracles, but I just don’t think he’ll pull it off this season.

Arizona Cardinals
Record: 7-9
Pros: When considering pros for Arizona, two names come to mind. The powerful WR tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. These two pass-catchers are two of the most dynamic in the NFL, and any team would be lucky to have just one of these players on their team, let alone both of them. That being said, I feel this is the only pro for Arizona on the offensive side of the ball.

Along with a solid aerial attack, Arizona can look to their defense for some inspiration this season. Arizona’s defense was nothing to write home about last season, but the front office spent some money in the off season upgrading an already respectable unit. Three of their top four picks in this years drafts were used to acquire defensive players. The majority of Arizona’s free agent pickups were defensive players. While none of the free agents are game-breaking players, they are they type of players that will provide quality backup as attrition takes it toll throughout the season.

Cons: If Arizona wants to make an impact this season, it needs to revamp its running game stat. Arizona ranked 29th in the league in rush yards per game, yet they did nothing to address this problem in the off season. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm succeeded in making Arizona o-line a respectable pass-protection unit, but it is evident that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Despite the o-lines struggles, the rushing woes cannot be placed solely on their shoulders. Edgerrin James was only able to muster 3.8 yards a carry last season and only racked up seven touchdowns. Arizona may want to pick up one of the remaining NFL-caliber backs left in free agency. May I suggest Shaun Alexander? Could make things interesting if nothing else.