Atlanta Falcons: Ranking the NFC Divisions
Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is pursued by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) as he runs for a 79 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. NFC West
Until proven otherwise, the NFC West remains the best division in the conference.
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
At the top sits the consecutive NFC Champions, the Seattle Seahawks. Will they be able to secure a third trip to the Super Bowl in as many years? The talent is there to do so.
Seattle’s defense is as good as it gets. Add in the fact they brought back Marshawn Lynch and also added Jimmy Graham. Jimmy. Graham. As if they needed another star on their roster.
Arizona will be strong once more, and are my pick to land the fifth seed. If it weren’t for a massive case of the injury bug in 2014, the Cardinals could have been the No. 1 seed. Who knows how things would have panned out from there?
A key for them is Carson Palmer‘s health. Palmer went 6-0 in games he started, and Drew Stanton was keeping the winning tally ticking after the former’s injury.
In the end, the injuries caught up with Arizona and there was nothing they could do. Third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley couldn’t move the football and they bowed out in heartbreaking fashion for the second straight year.
Look out for the St. Louis Rams. St. Louis caused a number of upsets last season and were tough to beat. They focused three of their first four draft picks on fixing their offensive line. The other pick?
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Todd Gurley.
Assuming Gurley recovers fully from his torn ACL, he has all the potential to become a star in the backfield for St. Louis.
It’s been an awful few months for the San Francisco 49ers, and it will be interesting to see how they fare this year. A lot of it will rest on Colin Kaepernick.
Right now, the NFC West is the conference’s top division. Do you agree?
Who would be your No. 1? Does the new-look Atlanta Falcons help the NFC South overtake the others?