It's not difficult at all to see who the superior team leader is - Hasselbeck. He led all NFC West quarterbacks in every meaningful offensive category.
As for overall team offensive production, let's take a quick peek at how things went in 2007-08, shall we?...
ARI - 5,505 TOT YDS (1,440 RUSH/4,065 PASS), 25.3 PPG
STL - 4,760 TOT YDS (1,527 RUSH/3,233 PASS), 16.4 PPG
SF - 3,797 TOT YDS (1,477 RUSH/2,320 PASS), 13.7 PPG
SEA - 5,583 TOT YDS (1,619 RUSH/3,964 PASS), 24.6 PPG
Even without 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, Seattle still led the NFC West in total offensive yards, while also scoring just 11 total points fewer than Arizona and its heralded offense. Seattle's rushing game was SO poor in 2007-08 that they led the NFC West in team rushing yards.
Defensively, here is how the NFC West shakes down...
ARI - 5,283 TOT YDS (1,567 RUSH/3,716 PASS), 24.9 PPG
STL - 5,457 TOT YDS (1,844 RUSH/3,613 PASS), 27.4 PPG
SF - 5,539 TOT YDS (1,896 RUSH/3.643 PASS), 22.8 PPG
SEA - 5,149 TOT YDS (1.644 RUSH/3,505 PASS), 18.2 PPG
Again, Seattle led the NFC West in nearly every major defensive statistical category, the lone exception being rushing yards allowed (ARI - 1,567; SEA - 1,644). Somehow, Seattle (10-6 in 2007-08) managed to allow the fewest passing yards in the division - how is this even remotely possible, considering they were the only playoff team from the NFC West and outscored their opponents by an average of 6.4 points per game? Go figure!
Seattle was +10 in turnover margin, good for 2nd in the NFC behind only Dallas (+15). The rest of the NFC West combined for a -29 mark, with the 49ers leading the charge in the NFC at -12.
Seattle marched for 323 1st downs, again leading their division in yet ANOTHER statistical category. Arizona picked up 308 total 1st downs, the Rams marked 281, and the lowly 49ers managed just 218 total sets of chains moved.
The Rams (81) led the NFC West with 81 converted third downs, with Arizona and Seattle tying for 2nd with 75 each. San Francisco picked up 69 third down conversions. None of the NFC West teams converted a particularly good percentage of their 3rd down opportunities, however, with Arizona leading the charge with 36.9% converted, good for 8th in the NFC.
Seattle led the NFC in fewest penalties against with just 59 for 428 yards. Saint Louis had 94 penalties for 794 yards, the Niners 97 for 702 yards, and the Cardinals were the most-penalized NFC team with 137 penalties for 1,128 yards.
Seattle again led their division by allowing just 37.9% of their opponents' third down conversion attempts; the Rams allowed 38.8%, the Cardinals allowed 40.1%, and the 49ers allowed 40.2%.
Only Tampa Bay (258) allowed fewer total first downs than Seattle (278) in the NFC. Arizona allowed a respectable 298, but San Francisco (308) and Saint Louis (316) were near the bottom in that category.
The Seahawks' defense led the NFC West again with 45 sacks for 303 yards. Arizona picked up 36 sacks for 242 yards, the Niners 31 for 183 yards, and the Rams 31 for 234 yards.
Seattle led the NFC with 20 interceptions, and the Cardinals and Rams each picked up 18. The 49ers managed just 12, good for 2nd-fewest in the NFC. Ahhh, that prime-time San Francisco defense!
In summation, it's not at all difficult to see which NFC West team was dominant and which ones were inferior in 2007-08. I challenge any division opponents' fans to come up with reasons why their team will be improved in 2008-09 and challenge the Seattle Seahawks for dominance in the NFC West.
As things stand right now, no team in the NFC West improved that much to begin with from last season, so it only stands to reason that Seattle will once again be the dominant force in the division.
Disagree? Great, say so... then have the balls to say WHY.
As for the 2008-009 regular season standings in the NFC West, here you go, sugar...
SEA 10-6 or 11-5
ARI 8-8 or 9-7
STL 7-9 or 8-8
SF 5-11 or 6-10
With as good as the Cardinals' offense was last season, I see them as a possible (outside chance) NFC wild card team, but they have an uphill battle. If they can manage 4 division wins, they might finish with 10 total wins, really thrusting them into serious contention.
But, Leinart is rather unproven (one season under his belt, 2006) and the Arizona defense isn't as good as many want to think. They can score as much as anyone else in the NFC, but they give up a lot of points, too.
The Rams' offense has a lot of promise, especially with a good pocket passer and an outstanding running back. But, their defense is actually worse than the Cardinals, and it will hamstring them in the next couple of seasons. San Francisco is the bottom-feeder in the NFC West - they cannot score points, cannot stop anyone else from scoring points, and they have no legitimate leadership on or off the field.
Great post rmac, truly facts speak louder than anything, and you have shown that here. There is no reason to think that the division will be won by anyone but the Hawks this year.
Awesome post Rmac, lets try to see SF8675309 dispute these stats. One of the most important stats on here is the penalties. Don't beat yourself with stupid mistakes and the seahawks don't do that. They became the NFL least penalized team EVER last season, and that comes from superior coaching.
Maybe you can somehow incorporate the coaching staffs into your next comparision Rmac?
-Who cares all of the Seahawks defensive starters are coming back this year from last.
-Who cares the Seahawks secondary led the league in fewest passing TD's allowed last season.
-Who cares the Seahawks secondary was 2nd in the NFC in allowing the fewest passing yards.
Oh, I could go on. But this is all history. San Fran has 5 SB wins. Those are inspiring to a young guys like Alex Smith. Haven't you seen how hard he plays? Hell, San Fran now has two other QB's bidding for starter. Thats SB passion our Seahawks players know nothing about........
OKAY...OKAY
I'm being goofy, I hope you sense my sarcasm.....LOL.
I know, the Niners' 5 Lombardi trophies really loom large this season, 17 years removed from the last time one was polished up and delivered to the Bay Area.
=oP
I really like the responses from the Niners fans thus far. Really explanatory and concise, full of facts, datum, and realistic expectations.
rmac1973-all of that is from last yr bro.you guys were good yes way to go.but this is a new yr with new statz.so all of what you put down there dont have jack to do with this yr.its about this yr not last yr.
However, not enough has happened with ANY team in the NFC West to think 2008-09 won't be a repeat of the previous four seasons, ending up with Seattle yet again on top of the division.
Taking recent trends into account, nothing contradicts my assertions.
I'm looking for bigger and better things from the Hawks this year. The talent level has increased, there's a new attitude on offense as it should be much more balanced, and the D is maturing... A new season bodes well!
Seattle looks to have improved as much or more than anyone else in the NFC West.
Arizona actually takes a step back with Leinart, as he is entirely unproven. Saint Louis has the worst defense imaginable, and nothing changed since 2007. San Francisco has three incapable gentlement vying for the starting QB job.
Seattle returns 11 defensive starters, 4 defensive Pro-Bowlers, an All-Pro QB, a perennial All-Pro LT, and the best coaching staff money can buy.
I think an 11-5 mark is a good expectation for the Hawks - 10 wins seems light, considering their injury woes the past two seasons, and 12 wins seems like a lot, considering that would tie the mark for 2nd best in franchise history.
But, predictions about the NFL are usually about as accurate as weather predictions in Seattle. That's why they play the games, I guess!
I'm just your average sports nut, I suppose. Of course I'm a bit of a homer - the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies are my teams - but I stick with my boys down the stretch, through thick and thin.
What can the Mariners do to rebound from their worst season in twent years? Will Erik Bedard recover in time for the 2009 season? Ryan Rowland-Smith and Brandon Morrow look to make the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, so can they combine with Felix to create a young and effective 1-2-3 tandem? How will the M's new front office guru fare - will Chuckie and Howie be able to stay "hands off" long enough for the new VP/GM to accomplish anything positive? Can the Seahawks recover from their early-season woes and rebound for a fifth straight NFC West title? How will the team handle the transition from Mike Holmgren's regime to the ways of Jim Mora Jr? Can the Hawks' defense stop anyone? Can the offense put up more than 200 yards?
Any of you folks out there interested in healthy and creative debate about anything, feel free to speak up!
