Preseason Pickin': NFC West

Ahh, the NFC West. The NFC's worst division sent a 9-7 team to the Super Bowl. The Cardinals were definitely the surprise team in the NFC last year, but could they have another surprise team this year? St Louis is trying to improve with a now healthy Steven Jackson, San Francisco has just made Shaun Hill their starting quarterback but are still trying to sign Michael Crabtree, Seattle has Matt Hasselbeck healthy again and the Cardinals are looking to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1947-1948. Who's going to win the division? Here's what I think.

Team On the Rise: Seattle Seahawks
I love the trade for T.J. Houshmandzadeh. That gives Hasselbeck a primary target. T.J. should have a better season as well because he now knows he is the #1 receiver. I also like their defense. They had no Pro Bowlers on defense last year, but I think Aaron Curry is going to have a standout rookie season, and I like Lofa Tatupu, Marcus Trufant and Patrick Kerney, all who are two years removed from making the Pro Bowl themselves.

Team On the Decline: San Francisco 49ers
I know that Frank Gore is coming back now, but I think with confusion at quarterback and with Patrick Willis as the only star on their defense, San Francisco is going to have a down season. I think Michael Crabtree can help be a weapon for Shaun Hill - if they sign him.

Biggest Impact Players: Frank Gore and Matt Hasselbeck
As I said, I think Seattle is going up and San Fran is going down. Frank Gore has to play well if they want to have any chance at having a solid season. Gore had a good season in 2008, but they need their running back to come up big again like he did in '06. Matt Hasselbeck battled a back injury last year, but now that he is healthy, Seattle needs him to play well again. I think Matt Hasslebeck is the key to the Seahawks offense. He is 2 years removed from a 28 touchdown and almost 4,000-yard season, and I think he can put up those numbers again.

Best Offense: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona does not have standout running back, but the best 1-2 wide receiver punch in football is back, and so is the quarterback who made it happen, Kurt Warner. The offense knows they have the potential (as shown in last year's Super Bowl run), and I think that is a great motivation for Larry Fitzgerald and this offense.

Best Defense: Seattle Seahawks
As I said earlier, I like the players they have. I don't know if Patrick Kerney can have a 14.5-sack season like he did in 2007, but I think he still has another season or two in him where he can really contribute. I think Lofa Tatupu is one of the most underrated players in the league, and he and Aaron Curry can really give the team a solid linebacker core. Also, Marcus Trufant is a playmaker at cornerback, and he is going to be a big threat to opposing quarterbacks.

Best Division Game: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
In Week 14, on December 14, the Cards travel to San Fran to take on the Niners. I think that this game and the second meeting between the Seahawks/Cardinals will be the most interesting games, but this is later in the season and a very crucial game for both teams. If the Cardinals win, which I think they will, they will be in great position to win the division.

Division Winner: Arizona Cardinals
I know the Cardinals went 9-7 last year, but I like the motivation they bring with them from last year's remarkable playoff run. The offense returns basically everyone, and Adrian Wilson and Carlos Dansby are great leaders for the defense.

In the picture: Seattle Seahawks - Seattle is going to have a much better year than they did last year. A healthy Matt Hasselbeck is great news for the team, and if the defense can step up, they should have a much improved season and I think they will fall one game short of Arizona this year.