The National Football League NFC West – 2009 Preview:
NFC West
1 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| September |
| 13 at Arizona (W) |
| 20 SEATTLE (W) |
| 27 at Minnesota (L) |
| October |
| 4 ST. LOUIS |
| 11 ATLANTA |
| 18 bye |
| 25 at Houston |
| November |
| 1 at Indianapolis |
| 8 TENNESSEE |
| 12 CHICAGO |
| 22 at Green Bay |
| 29 JACKSONVILLE |
| December |
| 6 at Seattle |
| 14 ARIZONA |
| 20 at Philadelphia |
| 27 DETROIT |
| January |
| 3 at St. Louis |
Coach Mike Singletary has got his team buying in to the ball control run-oriented offense, though Frank Gore’s recent injury could put veteran quarterback Shaun Hill in a tough spot to have to be a playmaker. Defensively the Niners are led by All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis and if he can stay healthy, an emerging star in safety Dashan Goldson.
2 ARIZONA CARDINALS
| September |
| 13 SAN FRANCISCO (L) |
| 20 at Jacksonville (W) |
| 27 INDIANAPOLIS (L) |
| October |
| 4 bye |
| 11 HOUSTON |
| 18 at Seattle |
| 25 at NY Giants |
| November |
| 1 CAROLINA |
| 8 at Chicago |
| 15 SEATTLE |
| 22 at St. Louis |
| 29 at Tennessee |
| December |
| 6 at Washington |
| 13 at Atlanta |
| 19 DALLAS |
| 27 TAMPA BAY |
| January |
| 3 at Carolina |
The Cardinals http://www.azcardinals.com/ have had an inconsistent rough with new coordinators on defense and offense, but Warner to Fitzgerald can solve a lot of problems. History however does not favor Arizona as they try to become just the second team to even make the playoffs in this decade after losing the Super Bowl. Having a relatively soft schedule should help
3 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Julius Jones
| September |
| 13 PHILADELPHIA (L) |
| 20 at Atlanta (L) |
| 28 at Dallas |
| October |
| 4 bye |
| 11 WASHINGTON |
| 18 at Tampa Bay |
| 25 BUFFALO |
| November |
| 1 at Arizona |
| 8 at New Orleans |
| 15 ATLANTA |
| 19 MIAMI |
| 29 at NY Jest |
| December |
| 6 TAMPA BAY |
| 13 at New England |
| 20 MINNESOTA |
| 27 at NY Giants |
| January |
| 3 NEW ORLEANS |
Like the Cardinals, Seattle http://www.seahawks.com/ enjoy a fairly light schedule that does not require an East Coast trip where they were winless in four tries last year. Jim Mora Jr. replaces Mike Holmgren and hopes that redemption is a big motivator for the expensive running back Julius Jones. If Hasselbeck gets some time and avoids injury he has a fine target in TJ Housmandzadeh, but for Seattle to do well it must be able to run.
4 ST. LOUIS RAMS
Steven Jackson
| September |
| 13 DALLAS (L) |
| 20 at Buffalo (L) |
| 27 NY GIANTS |
| October |
| 4 at Washington |
| 11 at Philadelphia |
| 18 CAROLINA |
| 25 New England (in London) |
| November |
| 1 bye |
| 8 GREEN BAY |
| 15 at Miami |
| 22 NEW ORLEANS |
| 29 at Atlanta |
| December |
| 6 at Carolina |
| 13 NY JETS |
| 20 at Seattle |
| 27 at New Orleans |
| January |
| 3 ATLANTA |
Out the gate the Rams http://www.stlouisrams.com/ have had a tough schedule and their record shows it (though they did almost beat the Redskins). The trouble is this former dynamo on offense no longer strikes fear in anyone. But if running back Steven Jackson can stay healthy he can keep the Rams in games. Tough-minded taskmaster Steve Spagnolo is the new head coach bringing a more physical and disciplined mindset from his successful days as the defensive coordinator with the Giants.
