Seattle still the clear favorite
If the Seattle Seahawks become the first team to win three straight NFC titles, they’ll likely do so as champions of their division yet again.
If the Seattle Seahawks become the first team to win three straight NFC titles, they’ll likely do so as champions of their division yet again.
But the reigning conference champs see a challenge waiting in the NFC West.
“When I first got here Arizona wasn’t so good, but now they’re starting to become good. I think San Francisco is still strong and St. Louis is trying to find their way,” Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “I still think we have the best division in football.”
The Seahawks are again clear favorites in their division, with Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and the addition of Jimmy Graham to their offense, and a defense that’s still expected to be among the best in the NFL.
Seattle’s closest rival is now likely in the desert, with Carson Palmer returning to an Arizona roster that made the playoffs last season with 11 wins despite Palmer missing the final seven games with a knee injury.
St. Louis has one of the best defensive fronts in football with Chris Long, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn and Michael Brockers, but quarterback is still unsettled after giving up on Sam Bradford and bringing in Nick Foles.
And no team has faced as much change as San Francisco. Jim Harbaugh is now coaching at Michigan. Frank Gore is running the ball in Indianapolis. And Patrick Willis and Justin Smith are retired. Here’s a look at the NFC West: STILL ON TOP: For a change, most of the talk is about the potential in Seattle’s offense.
The addition of Graham gives the Seahawks a target they’ve never had for Wilson. Graham understands he won’t be getting as many receptions as he did in New Orleans, but the ones he gets from Wilson will be important.
How will Graham’s addition help Seattle’s wide receivers and even Lynch in the running game in trying to build on an offense that was good enough to win two straight conference titles?
“I know when the ball comes there are going to be big moments. And I know when the ball comes I’m going to have to do something with that ball,” Graham said.
Defensively, the Seahawks should be just as stout, but have questions in the secondary with strong safety Kam Chancellor holding out and the addition of cornerback Cary Williams playing opposite Richard Sherman.
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