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4. Seattle Seahawks (5-11): Even though the Seahawks were one of the biggest players in free agency after the lockout ended, I don't think they did enough to win their second straight division title. Their biggest signings were QB Tarvaris Jackson and WR Sidney Rice. Jackson spent most of his time as a back-up to Brett Favre in Minnesota and when he did get his chance, he didn't come through. Rice, on the other hand, has a chance to be one of the best receiver's in the game. The Saints know all to well about this running game and Marshawn Lynch. After getting cut by Buffalo, Lynch had a breakout season for the Seahawks rushing for 737 yards and six touchdowns. After cutting LB Lofa Tatupu, Seattle's defense really does not have any recognizable names and are one of the most inexperienced defenses in the NFL. This team is really thin on both the offense and defense, so Leon Washington and the special teams unit might have to carry this team to some victories like last year. 

3. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): The 49ers are one player away from getting to the playoffs. That player is at QB, where the 49ers have been inconsistent for the past seven years. New coach Jim Harbaugh is not going in a different direction at QB and is rolling the dice with Alex Smith (that got the last two coaches fired). If Harbaugh wants to have a good rookie year as coach, it all comes down to Smith and how he preforms in critical situations. He does have plenty of weapons around him in Frank Gore, Braylon Edwards, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree. Smith will need all the help he can get and Gore will have to stay healthy all 16 games (something he has not done for the past few seasons) in order for the 49ers to be competitive this season. On the other side of the ball, the 49ers were very passive in free agency by letting veteran's Takeo Spikes and Nate Clements find new homes. San Francisco has silently become one of the youngest defenses in the league with the additions of young guys like Carlos Rogers. No matter how young this defense is, they have the best linebacker in the game in Patrick Willis and will continue to be a top rushing defense. I have faith that Harbaugh can turn this team around, but because of the length of the lockout, I don't know if he can do it this season. 

2. Arizona Cardinals (7-9): After the retirement of Kurt Warner before last season, the Cardinals became one of the worst teams in the NFL. Inconsistency at QB was the problem for most NFC West teams last season, especially for the Cardinals. Everyone expected them to trade for Kevin Kolb after the lockout ended  and they did, except it might of been at to high of a price depending on Kolb's performance. Arizona gave up a 2012 second round pick and CB Dominque Rogers-Cromartie, but I know WR Larry Fitzgerald is happier then anyone to have a franchise QB. Fitzgerald had 1,137 yards and six touchdowns, which was considered as a down year for him. Even though Kolb does have one of the best receiver's in the league, the offensive line needs to play better in order for him to be successful. As for the defense, the Cardinals drafted the best athlete in the draft in Patrick Peterson. We all know what to expect from Darnell Dockett, but that pass rush remains a huge question for this team in 2011. I think the Cardinals will be vastly improved from a season ago, but their will be some growing pains for Kolb and this team which will keep them from the postseason.

1. St. Louis Rams (9-7): This team impressed many last season, mainly offensive rookie of the year Sam Bradford. The Rams went 7-9 last season, but had a really good chance to win the division up until they lost to the Seahawks in the last week of the season. For the first time since Kurt Warner was QB, the Rams have expectations to get to the playoffs. If Bradford can play like he did last season, then St. Louis will have no problem getting to the playoffs in this horrible division. The Rams missed out on Julio Jones in the draft and Sidney Rice in free agency, but were able to sign Mike Sims-Walker from the Jaguars. Bradford is the leader of this offense, but RB Steven Jackson is still one of the best in the league and won't slow down any time soon. The defense is another underrated part of this team with Chris Long and rookie Robert Quinn rushing the QB. If there is one weakness in the defense, its in the secondary. While I don't expect St. Louis to go deep in the playoffs, head coach Steve Spagnulo is under pressure to bring this team a division title.