Most of the NFC West teams have a representative among the blogosphere. Our thanks to them for playing along. Their picks follow a brief writeup written by me.

Andy Tellijohn, Zoneblitz.com

San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams

The NFC West includes a team with five Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl participant from 2009 … and two teams that promise to be among the league’s worst this year.

The retirement of Kurt Warner already makes this division interesting. The addition of several key personnel, including two first-round draft picks on the offensive line, gives the 49ers upward momentum.

On the other hand, the lack of Warner – and the subsequent cut of Matt Leinart – means the Cardinals will take a step back this year.

They’ll still beat the bottom feeders though, as Seahawk management tries to figure out why it chased after college’s best coach and as the Rams implement their new players – including exciting new quarterback Sam Bradford – into the mix.

The Seahawks and Rams both have some promise but not enough to overtake the top two teams.

For the opinions of several bloggers, click past the jump:


Eric Melendez, San Francisco 49ers
www.ninernoise.com

San Francisco
Arizona
Seattle
St. Louis

Ask anyone which division is the worst in the NFL and a majority of the time people will say the NFC West.  I agree but it is not that all four teams in the NFC West are bad, the reason is all four teams are in a transitional phase.

The 49ers are a step ahead of the rest of the NFC West as they have all their important starters returning on offense and defense from last season.  In the second full year with head coach Mike Singletary at the helm the 49ers are expected to be out of their transitional phase this season.

The Cardinals won the NFC West for the second straight year last season however they have lost Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Antrel Rolle who were big contributors to their success.  Larry Fitzgerald is still a huge threat but quarterback Derek Anderson is not.

The Seahawks are in transition with a new head coach Peter Carroll and they will compete but not in the playoffs.

The Rams are still the Rams but with the way Sam Bradford played in the preseason the Rams will win a few games this season.  However check back next season or the season after as the Rams are just starting a new transition.

Scott Allen, Arizona Cardinals
www.raisingzona.com

Arizona
San Francisco
Seattle
St. Louis

Arizona had a lot of turnover in personnel, but not enough to lose the division.  Not this year with the easiest schedule in the NFL.  Ok, I get it.  No more Kurt Warner.  So what?  The only team that will push the Cards is the 49ers.  The Hawks and Rams just aren’t there yet.  Sam Bradford though is the real deal.  If he can get a surrounding cast, he might only be a couple of years away from bringing winning football back to St. Louis.

Sorry NFL experts.  That’s the way I see it going.  I know most of you can’t wait to see the Cards fall flat with Derek Anderson behind center and most likely an undrafted rookie in Max hall as your backup.  Not going to happen.  The Cardinals will prevail.  I don’t think they go far in the playoffs, but they will win the NFC West.

Justin Stine, St. Louis Rams
www.ramblinfan.com

San Francisco
Arizona
Seattle
St. Louis

Few would argue that the NFC West is not the strongest division in football, but since there is no standout team it should provide for and interesting race in 2010. The San Francisco 49ers look to be the cream of this watered down crop, as their defense and running back Frank Gore are both able to lead the charge to the top of the division. Although there is still plenty of talent in Arizona, the shaky quarterback situation might hold them back this season, keeping them behind the Niners. The Seattle Seahawks are transitioning with new coach Pete Carroll, and an aging Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t look to have enough around him. The St. Louis Rams are moving in the right direction, but unless rookie quarterback Sam Bradford fulfills his potential earlier than expected, the Rams look to be the weakest team of this group.

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