NFL Preseason Preview: NFC West/AFC West

NFC WEST:

Arizona Cardinals: The team had another good year and followed their Super Bowl run in 2008 with another playoff run in 2009 with a 10-6 regular season record before losing to the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round game that featured little defense and a lot of offense. QB Kurt Warner is gone and there remains much uncertainty if QB Matt Leinart can replace him. WR Larry Fitzgerald is a still a freak, but WR Anquan Boldin is gone and in Baltimore. HBs Chris "Beanie" Wells and Tim Hightower might be asked to do too much in the wake of poor quarterback play. Their defense is still a work in progress despite some improvements, but the loss of SS Antrell Rolle might cause a setback.

San Francisco 49ers: The still young 49ers finished at 8-8 as they are beginning to show signs that they might return to the top of the division as soon as this year due to the even nature of the division. Plus, repeating their 2009 record might be enough. Figuring out who will be the starting quarterback continues to plague the team with QB Alex Smith probably leading the field for now. TE Vernon Davis has responded greatly to Head Coach Mike Singletary's comments. It might be their up and coming defense that brings them back to the postseason. LB Patrick Willis might become the Ray Lewis of his generation and it has only taken a few years for him to garner that type of dominance.

St. Louis Rams: The Rams have experience a tough three year stretch as they went 1-15 last year and have won 6 games in three years. Drafting QB Sam Bradford might change their fortunes as during the last three years HB Steven Jackson has been asked to carry the brunt of the load. He has had to play injured, but Bradford and the potential big play ability of young guys like WR Donnie Avery might reignite their offense. Just as important for this upcoming year is the continued improvement on defense. There is greater pressure from the front seven as they have used a combo of youth and experience.

Seattle Seahawks: After a string of playoff appearances and division titles, they struggled again in 2009 going 5-11. QB Matt Hasselback's health continues to be a repeating question and the acquisition of QB Charlie Whitehurst from San Diego might spark some quarterback controversy. New head coach, Pete Carroll, might provide a necessary surge of energy from his coaching days at USC. They probably had one of the best drafts this year, which includes first rounds OT Russell Okung out of Oklahoma State and SS Earl Thomas out of Texas. One cannot expect them to struggle for a third year in a row.

OUTLOOK: The NFC West has been labeled lately the worst division in the NFL. Going 8-8 will likely be enough to win the division. Without Kurt Warner in Arizona, the playing is very much even. The Cardinals will see a difference without Warner and struggle. The Seahawks also have questions at the quarterback position, but if healthy Hasselback will be the best quarterback in the division. The Rams with Bradford should be able to equal the same win total of the last three years. But, it is the 49ers that just might have the right mix to slip by the other three and win the division. Division games will be utmost importance more than ever this year.

AFC WEST:

Denver Broncos: The Broncos finished their season at 8-8 and had another let down of a year. QB Kyle Orton did better than some expected in the wake of trading QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. Now, this offseason, they traded WR Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins. WRs like Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd will asked to carry more of the load now. Defensively, they have DE/LB Elvis Dumervil, who keeps getting better. Some of the behind the scenes issues might slow the progress of the team and its playoff chances.

Kansas City Chiefs: They stumbled to a 4-12 record, but draftee S Eric Berry might solve some of their defensive woes. They have had early picks the last few years and might be about to take the next step with all that talent. New leadership and ownership has infused guys like LB Mike Vrabel to go along with WR Dwayne Bowe. QB Matt Cassell did not deliver as expected in 2009 after his surprising 2008 in New England, but tends to manage the game well, which might be enough in several games with the mix of talent.

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders continued their losing ways going 5-11, but might be ready to turn the corner now that QB JaMarcus Russell is gone. HB Darren McFadden started to show flashes of his Arkansas self last year and drafting LB Ronaldo McClain from Alabama might be one of their best picks in recent memory. Their defense took a step backwards last year and will need to regain the mix of run and pass defense that made them tough to score on in 2008 again in 2010 to potentially win the AFC West.

San Diego Chargers: The started slow again in 2009 before running off a win streak during the second half that led to a 13-3 record. However, their playoff woes continued with a division round loss to the New York Jets. HB LaDanian Tomlinson is out and draftee HB Ryan Mathews will be expected to fill his shoes fast. QB Phillip Rivers continues to heave the ball everywhere, but the uneven health of TE Antonio Gates has slowed the offense. Two holdouts, OT Marcus McNeil and WR Vincent Jackson, might hinder the Chargers' chances of repeating in what is otherwise a weak division. Both are crucial elements of the offense and likely will be out for the first few games if not longer.

OUTLOOK: The division again looks like San Diego's to lose. Denver will be better, but their offense will struggle at times without a target like Marshall to throw to. Oakland could show some signs of improvement, but getting to .500 might not be enough. The same thing could probably be said for Kansas City as their inexperience will cost them at times. That leaves the Chargers, who will likely take a step back, but will have enough to repeat in the division under Rivers' leadership and a tough front seven that confuses great quarterbacks like Peyton Manning.