Not many NFL fans or pundits would have ever guessed that the Arizona Cardinals would make their way into the Super Bowl last season. The NFC West was not exactly a powerhouse last year after all. This group of four teams in recent years have toyed with winning the West with a losing record. With the 2009 NFL football season looming, will another Arizona rise from this group? Will Arizona themselves be in a position to repeat last year’s magic?

St. Louis Rams - My how the mighty have fallen. It seemed like only yesterday that “the greatest show on turf” was dominating the NFL. Now, not even a glimmer of those days remain. After losing the aforementioned Warner, Issac Bruce, and others in recent seasons, the Rams lost the final parts of those glory days in Torry Holt and Orlando Pace this off season. While these players will be missed, many feel that this opens a new chapter for St. Louis. The Rams need to refocus and reload, and this season will be a continuation of that rebuilding effort. Expect one more losing season before they begin to turn the corner.

Arizona Cardinals - While things should seem extremely rosy around Arizona, there is still a sense that the Cardinals were a fluke. To add to this, the Cardinals are still far from through the issues with receiver Anquan Bouldin. Taking away Bouldin could hurt the Cardinals in a big way as he did wonders to take pressure off of all-world receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The fact is, the Cardinals were no fluke. They are an offensive powerhouse, and their defense is better than they are credited. I expect the Cardinals to just beat out the Seahawks this season and repeat as NFC West champions. (with or without Bouldin)

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers are sure to be on quite a few list of sleeper teams for 2009, though I doubt they will actually reach that level. They are headed in the right direction with head coach Mike Singletary, but until they get a real NFL quarterback San Francisco will struggle mightily. Expect them to finish around .500, and to begin earnestly searching for a new quarterback by mid season.

Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks are a team that could be very good or very bad depending on who you ask. My opinion is that they will be much better than the Rams and the Niners, but worse than the Cardinals. Julius Jones could be primed for a huge year in Seattle. He is a great talent when the situation is right, and this season could be the one for him. I still think that Seattle will challenge the Cardinals, but that the Cards will end up on top.