2009 NFC West Season Preview and Odds

The NFC West should be interesting and as one of the weakest divisions in the League will most likely find last years NFC Champion Cardinals atop the division come January. Here I breakdown the teams to exposing their strengths, weakness' and odds to win their division.

The Arizona Cardinals +140

Coming of the best season in franchise history as NFC Champions the Cards will try to maintain the momentum going into the 2009 season. QB Kurt Warner played excellent last year and will once again solidify his spot among the NFL's elite. Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin will once again have an explosive season. A newly drafted RB Chris "Beanie" Wells will be a big help to running game that was pitiful a season ago. The Redbirds defense is returning pretty much in tact and Chike Okeafor has been a solid consistent player for Arizona. The secondary will have to be better in the pass coverage. Arizona will finish 10-6 and will repeat as NFC West champions.

The San Francisco 49ers +230

Mike Singletary will be entering his first full season as head coach for the 49ers. He has earned the respect of the team and has them on the right track towards becoming a playoff caliber team. This team's biggest question mark is who will be the starting QB when the season begins. Will it be Shaun Hill or former No.1 draft pick Alex Smith? Draft pick WR Michael Crabtree addresses some concern they had at that position. San Francisco will be a contender in 2009 but will lose some close games that will ruin their chances at the division title and a lengthy post-season. They will post an 8-8 finish.

The St. Louis Rams +975

New Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo will want to put last season behind the Rams and will have a rough first year getting the club back on track. The Rams quarterback situation could be better, but for now Marc Bulger has the job. The Rams just do not have enough playmakers on offense to win games. RB Steven Jackson will need to remain healthy and the Rams will need WR Donnie Avery to step up and make some big plays. The Rams will be without leading tackler Pisa Tinoisamoa, but have resigned CB Ron Bartell. The Rams will need a few more years until they are back in the hunt. The best the Rams can hope for this season is a 5-11 finish.

The Seattle Seahawks +210

After a four win season and 15 starters out with injuries including QB Matt Hassleback, new head coach Jim Mora will be called upon to out the Seahawks back together again. There will be some new faces to the Seahawks lineup. First there is free agent acquisition T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who will improve Hasslebacks ability to create a more consistent air assault. The defense will boast first round pick LB Aaron Curry, who is expected to make for a solid line backing unit along with a returning Lofa Tatuput. Adding a few new defensive lineman to the team including 330-pound juggernaut Colin Cole, will improve this years defense. RB Julius Jones will again be a weapon on the ground and have a solid season. Seattle will make small improvements and finish 2009 with a 9-7 record.

Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.