2012 NFL Predictions (NFC West)

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): The 49ers may not have spent bug bucks on a lone offensive weapon this past off season, but instead stocked up on three new additions for the same price. Randy Moss and Mario Manningham are meant to give quarterback Alex Smith more weapons besides Ted Ginn and Michael Crabtree. The running game recently acquired ex-Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, a back-up to Frank Gore. The defense has the best front seven in the NFL, led by stars such as Justin Smith and Patrick Willis. It was impossible to run over this defense last season, but the pass defense isn't any easier from an offensive standpoint. Alex Smith will need to be the Smith who showed up to play in the NFC Championship Game, and not the one we have seen for the past six years.

Week 1: 49ers @ Packers L
Week 2: Lions @ 49ers W
Week 3: 49ers @ Vikings W
Week 4: 49ers @ Jets W
Week 5: Bills @ 49ers W
Week 6: Giants @ 49ers L
Week 7: Seahawks @ 49ers W
Week 8: 49ers @ Cardinals W
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Rams @ 49ers W
Week 11: Bears @ 49ers W
Week 12: 49ers @ Saints L
Week 13: 49ers @ Rams W
Week 14: Dolphins @ 49ers W
Week 15: 49ers @ Patriots L
Week 16: 49ers @ Seahawks W
Week 17: Cardinals @ 49ers W



2. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Even though the Seahawks took the chance in signing Matt Flynn, coach Pete Carroll announced that Russell Wilson will be the Week 1 starter against the Cardinals. This comes as a surprise, for Wilson is just a third-round rookie, and the organization appears to be basing too much of their decision off of the preseason games. The running game will fare well if Marshawn Lynch can stay healthy. Seattle did a complete 180 when it came to their defense, and by the end of 2011, their lineup was ruled one of the best in the league. However, I do not agree with Seattle's first round pick, selecting defensive end Bruce Irvin when many more talented players were still available. The Seahawks are extremely close to another playoff appearance, but the quarterback situation needs to be more stable.

Week 1: Seahawks @ Cardinals L
Week 2: Cowboys @ Seahawks L
Week 3: Packers @ Seahawks L
Week 4: Seahawks @ Rams W
Week 5: Seahawks @ Panthers L
Week 6: Patriots @ Seahawks L
Week 7: Seahawks @ 49ers L
Week 8: Seahawks @ lions L
Week 9: Vikings @ Seahawks W
Week 10: Jets @ Seahawks W
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Seahawks @ Dolphins W
Week 13: Seahawks @ Bears L
Week 14: Cardinals @ Seahawks W
Week 15: Seahawks @ Bills W
Week 16: 49ers @ Seahawks L
Week 17: Rams @ Seahawks W


3. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): In last April's draft, the Arizona Cardinals spent their first round pick on wide receiver Michael Floyd. Though Floyd's selection was smart in taking away the triple team from Larry Fitzgerald, in no way will it ever be able to fix their problems at quarterback. Ever since Kolb moved to Arizona and suffered from yet another concussion, he has been playing scared, always making a bad decision so he will not have to take the hit. John Skelton on the other hand did not do well throughout the duration of the preseason, not playing to his full capability. The defense struggled at certain points in the season, and I doubt things will change in 2012. Arizona's offense will rely heavily on how their quarterback(s), and whether or not they can be clutch in close situations.

Week 1: Seahawks @ Cardinals W

Week 2: Cardinals @ Patriots L

Week 3: Eagles @ Cardinals L

Week 4: Dolphins @ Cardinals W

Week 5: Cardinals @ Rams L

Week 6: Bills @ Cardinals W

Week 7: Cardinals @ Vikings W

Week 8: 49ers @ Cardinals L

Week 9: Cardinals @ Packers L

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Cardinals @ Falcons L

Week 12: Rams @ Cardinals W

Week 13: Cardinals @ Jets L

Week 14: Cardinals @ Seahawks L

Week 15: Lions @ Cardinals L

Week 16: Bears @ Cardinals L

Week 17: Cardinals @ 49ers L

4. St. Louis Rams (1-15): Sam Bradford has not quite lived up to his number overall pick, where as the other quarterback capable of number one (Matthew Stafford, Cam Newton), have gone above and beyond. The Rams attempted to add a weapon to this offense by acquiring Brandon Lloyd, but their decision was unsuccessful. The draft did not go well either, when they missed out on two of college football's best receiver prospects. Steven Jackson will not be able to put the offense on his back, and Bradford has yet to prove he can guide his team to success. The defense is nothing special, and it will take a while for this team to have a remote chance at the playoffs. St Louis fans; hopefully Robert Woods will be available by the time it is St Louis' time to pick in next year's draft. 

Week 1: Rams @ Lions L

Week 2: Redskins @ Rams L

Week 3: Rams @ Bears L

Week 4: Seahawks @ Rams L

Week 5: Cardinals @ Rams W

Week 6: Rams @ Dolphins L

Week 7: Packers @ Rams L

Week 8: Patriots @ Rams L

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Rams @ 49ers L

Week 11: Jets @ Rams L

Week 12: Rams @ Cardinals L

Week 13: 49ers @ Rams L

Week 14: Rams @ Bills L

Week 15: Vikings @ Rams L

Week 16: Rams @ Buccaneers L

Week 17: Rams @ Seahawks L

Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC West)

San Francisco 49ers: WR Randy Moss: If I had to list my top 5 players to watch this preseason, my number one would be wide receiver Randy Moss. Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history, and called it quits after an atrocious 2010. This past offseason, coach John Harbough signed Moss to a one-year deal, adding more depth to a struggling passing game. Randy was not the only offensive weapon signed (Mario Manningham, Brandon Jacobs, A.J Jenkins, LaMichael James), but is clearly the most risky. Thirty-five is old for any football player, let alone one who relies so much on speed and agility. How will this one year hiatus affect Moss' 2012 campaign? Keep a close eye on this aging star.

Randy Moss (Paul Sakuma/AP Photo)

Arizona Cardinals: QB John Skelton: The main reason why John Skelton is not the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback is due to his not so great statistics in 2011. What helps Skelton though is the fact that he was able to go 6-2 when named starter against the St. Louis Rams. If John Skelton were to start racking up fabulous statistics week in and week out, no doubt this organization would play the 24 year-old. The quarterback competition is still up in the air, so it will be an absolute necessity for him to play well in all 4 preseason games.

Seattle Seahawks: QB Matt Flynn: Matt Flynn has been a popular topic so far for The NFL Report, and we will finally see him start in his first NFL exhibition game as number one on the depth chart. Hopefully, the Seahawks will not have wasted $26 million over a three year span on this quarterback who has started just two NFL games. Seattle went 7-9 last season, and if Flynn were to play as he did against the Lions, the Seahawks are looking at a spot in the playoffs.

St. Louis Rams: CB Cortland Finnegan: Finnegan was the second biggest defender to be on the market this past off season, and the St. Louis Rams were the highest bidders. The St. Louis defense ranked 26th overall in points allowed per game, and they figured Finnegan will be able to repair their problems on the defensive side of the ball. He has gained respect throughout the league from opposing quarterbacks, and if he continues to play the way he's been playing, the Rams record might see one or two more wins in 2012.