St. Louis Rams - 10-6
- W - Carolina
- W - San Francisco
- W - at Tampa Bay
- L - at Dallas
- W - Arizona
- L - at Baltimore
- L - at Seattle
- L - Cleveland
- bye
- W - at New Orleans
- L - at San Francisco
- W - Seattle
- W - Atlanta
- L - at Cincinnati
- W - Green Bay
- W - Pittsburgh
- W - at Arizona
Schedule
The Rams are in right about the same position as the Saints. A truly balanced and powerful offense with a suspect defense.
Steven Jackson is going to take another leap this year. Right now the running back hierarchy goes more or less LaDainian Tomlinson and everyone else with Steven Jackson being right at the top of that "everyone else." This time next year it will be Tomlinson and Jackson and everyone else. That's not to say that Tomlinson's touchdown record is jeopardy. Instead, it will be a far more balanced performance. Rushing, catching, scoring, he'll do it all. Not that Jackson hasn't already done it all, but just expect even more. And thus endith my ode to Steven Jackson.
San Francisco 49ers - 9-7
- L - Arizona
- L - at St. Louis
- W - at Pittsburgh
- W - Seattle
- L - Baltimore
- bye
- W - at NY Giants
- W - New Orleans
- L - at Atlanta
- W - at Seattle
- W - St. Louis
- L - at Arizona
- L - at Carolina
- W - Minnesota
- L - Cincinnati
- W - Tampa Bay
- W - at Cleveland
Schedule
The Niners seem to be everyone's favorite sleeper this year. That can happen after a team goes from terrible to pretty damn decent. Mike Nolan has done a great job of rebuilding this once proud franchise. Alex Smith is looking like the real thing, Frank Gore was a major surprise, and the defense can actually stop some teams some of the times.
That said, progression is rarely linear, at least when it comes to record. Gaining three wins to get from four to seven is far easier then getting the next three to get to ten and the playoffs. Not to say that a nine win team won't make the playoffs in the NFC, it's just not guaranteed. The 49ers will be a better team for sure, they just won't be as good as so many predict.
Seattle Seahawks - 5-11
- L - Tampa Bay
- L - at Arizona
- W - Cincinnati
- L - at San Francisco
- L - at Pittsburgh
- L - New Orleans
- W - St. Louis
- bye
- L - at Cleveland
- L - San Francisco
- W - Chicago
- L - at St. Louis
- W - at Philadelphia
- L - Arizona
- L - at Carolina
- W - Baltimore
- L - at Atlanta
Schedule
I'll admit it upfront, for some subconscious reason I really hate the Seahawks. I have no respect for Matt Hasselbeck or Shaun Alexander. I don't care for any of their receivers nor the defense. I don't understand how they win other than just continually playing weak opponents. I just don't get them and I find little more enjoyable than predicting their demise.
Arizona Cardinals - 4-12
- W - at San Francisco
- W - Seattle
- L - at Baltimore
- L - Pittsburgh
- L - at St. Louis
- L - Carolina
- L - at Washington
- bye
- L - at Tampa Bay
- L - Detroit
- L - at Cincinnati
- W - San Francisco
- L - Cleveland
- W - at Seattle
- L - at New Orleans
- L - Atlanta
- L - St. Louis
Schedule
Like Detroit, the Cardinals are a favorite year after year as a sleeper pick. I've been guilty a few years myself. How can you not like a team with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Edgerin James and Matt Leinart. They even have a defensive stud in safety Adrian Wilson. Where's the disconnection between perception and reality? The offensive line. It's horrible and has been for a few years now. It has completely negated Edgerin James, and brings inconsistency to the passing game.
First rule to rebuilding a team, find a franchise quarterback and protect him well. Arizona got the first part right, but are lacking in the second. Though you have to wonder with all of Matt Leinart's off field shenanigans, does he have focus to lead the team. It's never a good sign when your star quarterback is more of a celebrity than a football player.
Read more of my picks by watching the NFL Predictions 2007 tag.