2013 Win-Loss Predictions: NFC West

For your amusement after no less than 3 simulations of 256 regular season games because I am that awesome with my free time, here are my 2013 win-loss predictions for every NFL team.  We now conclude with the vaunted NFC West, which has sky-high expectations going into 2013.  With ample free agency activity in key positions, all four teams have Cinderella potential this year as they face the ambitious NFC South and arguably sweep-able AFC South.

Arizona Cardinals

Best Case Scenario: The Cardinals take a page from their more successful divisional foes and let an elite defense and improved running at the line of scrimmage be their guide.  Turning a new page once again with Larry Fitzgerald to make him look good, Carson Palmer finally rediscovers his early-career mojo and gets Arizona to 0.500.

Worst Case Scenario: The offensive line rebuild is still far from complete, which means bad news for trying to keep Palmer functional and upright.  It takes but one breakdown against a Justin Smith, Chris Clemons or Chris Long to put Palmer in crutches and Arizona in QB bench hell for yet another season.

Bellwether Match Up: The Cardinals and Rams may be fighting for scraps all season while the heavily favored Seahawks and Niners are gunning for the head of the table.  So Arizona will want to start things off on the right foot in St. Louis for Week 1.  It should be a treat to see how the Cards' exceptional pass defense fares against Sam Bradford's improved arsenal of receivers.

Prediction: Although Arizona's on the right trajectory for the long term along with the rest of this very competitive division, I'll need to see Coach Bruce Arians turn miracles on offense to be a believer this year.  The Cards' collective talent is mightier than their 6 - 10 record.

San Francisco 49ers

Best Case Scenario: With their first full season of Colin Kaepernick under center, the 49ers go on an unstoppable tear.  Vets like Frank Gore, Patrick Willis and Justin Smith continue to anchor the team on both sides of the ball, and San Francisco glides to the Super Bowl so many predict them to win this time.

Worst Case Scenario: There's no doubt the Niners are in trouble if Kaepernick goes down with his scramble-heavy style.  This team has benefited heavily in the past two years from having a lot of luck in the injury department that won't repeat forever.  Having to call Colt McCoy's number or deal with a key defensive injury like Justin Smith could be devastating despite the Niners' stacked roster, lest we forget those two games Smith missed last season in which San Francisco gave up 76 points to the Patriots and Seahawks.

Bellwether Match Up: The Niners start the year with a one-two punch against the Packers and Seahawks.  Coming out of it 0.500 or better will set San Francisco up very nicely for an easy first half of the season and give the team a clear path to a #1 seed.

Prediction: Like so many others, I have high hopes for the 49ers this season and I expect them to live up to expectations as long as Jim Harbaugh's neck veins don't explode.  With incredible balance and talent all over this roster, the 49ers can get to at least 12 - 4 despite the heated divisional and conference competition around them.

St. Louis Rams

Best Case Scenario: QB Sam Bradford finally has the talent around him to justify his hefty rookie contract and #1 overall pick status.  Tayvon Austin and Jared Cook help stretch St. Louis's field and a couple RB breakouts fill the void Steven Jackson left behind to help this team compete against the explosive offenses of the NFC West and South.

Worst Case Scenario: Despite notable offensive acquisitions, it turns out that Bradford is the problem and can't compete with said explosive offenses.  It's good news for fantasy owners who bet on Greg "Legatron" Zuerlein but bad news for a Rams team that continues to prove itself middle of the road in most categories on both sides of the ball.  With Wild Card hopes dashed, St. Louis starts looking for new blood under center.

Bellwether Match Up: A great litmus test for whether or not Sam Bradford's new offense can hang with the big boys is in Week 2 when the Rams visit the Falcons.  Not only will St. Louis get to compete against defector Steven Jackson, the team will also try its hand in a track meet of seam routes with a new set of receivers.

Prediction: I'm not as high on the Rams' turnaround and playoff potential this year as others are.  St. Louis will have a tougher schedule and a lot of new pieces to put together, especially without the kind of guaranteed rushing performance Jackson gave them for so many years.  It feels like an 8 - 8 season and bigger hopes placed in 2014 to me.

Seattle Seahawks

Best Case Scenario: The Seahawks go one better than the rival 49ers with dominant talent all over the roster and one of the best homefield advantages in football.  Seattle gets right back to putting up Tecmo numbers on the scoreboard and has a much better shot at a Lombardi than they could have ever hoped for with Matt Hasselbeck.

Worst Case Scenario: The hype proves to be too much for Russell Wilson & co. to repeat in full this season.  Although they still come out of the scrum looking good for the long haul, the gigantic expectations for the Seahawks make it hard for Pete Carroll to keep a legitimate chip on his team's shoulders, just like the good old days at USC.

Bellwether Match Up: The Seahawks welcome the 49ers to town in Week 2 for an NFC West rumble to remember.  The stakes are huge for both teams, so don't expect another 42 point rout, but you better believe Seattle is chomping at the bit for this Top Shelf home opener.

Prediction: The sky's the limit for this extraordinarily talented team, but I think it'll take another year or two for the Seahawks to usurp the 49ers entirely.  Even so, Seattle is in prime position to get to 10 - 6 and play wild card spoiler in January.