NFC Division Previews: NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West The NFC West became the second division since the 2002 realignment (the NFC South was the first) to have each of its teams make a conference championship game appearance as well as a Super Bowl appearance: Los Angeles (2018), Arizona (2008 and 2015), San Francisco (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019), and Seattle (2005, 2013, and 2014). He previously covered baseball, the Baltimore Orioles, the effort to bring a major league team to Washington, and colleges. The Cardinals hold a 111–128–1 record since joining the NFC West (542–732–40 overall) and a loss in Super Bowl XLIII, currently with a 7–9 playoff record, 5–4 as a member of the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals joined the NFC West from the NFC East, and the Seattle Seahawks joined from the AFC West to combine with the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams to create the new NFC West. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. Template:2015 NFC West standings. Visit ESPN to view the 2015 NFL Standings. *A players' strike in 1982 reduced the regular season to nine games. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Final Standings Yes, I believe so and the name of that organization is the CARDINALS. Although his interception rate was cut in half compared to the 2013 season, Sherman managed to get more tackles in the 2014, meaning that quarterbacks weren’t as hesitant to throw near the star cornerback. But if he becomes an integral part of the offense, this team could be in playoff contention. Mark Maske covers the NFL for The Washington Post. Also since 2002, each team has won at least three division titles, one of only two divisions in the league to do so. Carson Palmer is back, and the biggest issue will be whether he can remain healthy and in the lineup. Coach Jim Harbaugh exited. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If not, they probably will resemble the team they were at the end of last season when they lost four of their last six regular season games and bowed out in the wild-card round of the playoffs. If this trend continues—ey! Percentage of snaps from 2014 lost because of roster turnover, the highest percentage of snaps lost of any team in the NFL. OUTLOOK: Is anyone left? 4. Wilson fed the ball to then-starting tight end Luke Wilson late in crunch time to secure the win in a few games. AFC Division Previews: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West Possible Trades For the Portland Trail Blazers. Okay, the latter isn’t so much of a detriment as it is an unsubstantiated prediction that many of the Seahawk players will become complacent. 2015 NFL SEASON PREVIEW AFC Division Previews: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West NFC Division Previews: NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West Preseason Power Rankings | Top 10 Storylines | NFL Players on New Teams | Top 10 Offensive Players | Top 10 Defensive Players | NFL Rookie of the Year | Breakout Players | Bust Players. Jim Tomsula, promoted from defensive line coach to head coach, has inherited a difficult situation. 1. The Rams moved to St. Louis before that same season, making the division geographically inaccurate. Defensive Player of the Year: Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks Division standings were ignored, and Atlanta had the best record of the division teams. Week 17 NFL Hardwood and Hollywood Staff Picks, Week 16 NFL Hardwood and Hollywood Staff Picks, Week 15 NFL Hardwood and Hollywood Staff Picks, 2015 NFL Season Preview: Top 10 NFL Players on New Teams, adidas, University of Miami enlist Soles By Sir for custom football cleats. Division standings were ignored. IMPACT ADDITION: The Rams surprised many by using the 10th overall pick in the draft on RB Todd Gurley. They’ve had a losing record in each of Fisher’s three seasons and last had a winning season in 2003. St. Louis Rams 9-7 But he should give Wilson a big-play option in the passing game and, as always, he should be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham was acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the offseason in a case of the rich getting richer. Bold Prediction: The St. Louis Rams are going to have the Seattle Seahawks’ number this season They could have won both of them were it not for an ill-advised pass, and now they acquired a top tight end. He must adapt to a Seattle offense built around the running game. The division was formed in 1967 as the National Football League Coastal Division, keeping with the theme of having all of the league's divisions starting with the letter "C."[citation needed] The division was so named because its teams were fairly close to the coasts of the United States, although they were on opposite coasts, making for long travel between division rivals. Seattle Seahawks 12-4 Team That Could Surprise: St. Louis Rams Sleepers | Shouldn’t Drafts | Rookies | Breakout Players | Draft Strategy. Preseason Power Rankings | Top 10 Storylines | NFL Players on New Teams | Top 10 Offensive Players | Top 10 Defensive Players | NFL Rookie of the Year | Breakout Players | Bust Players, FANTASY FOOTBALL: His analysis and insight can be found in the sports section, where he covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB as well as college football and basketball. Learn how your comment data is processed. Visit ESPN to view the 2015 NFL Standings. Who’s going to stop them? They’ve reached the Super Bowl twice already. After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the division was renamed the NFC West. Read more in our NFL season preview of the NFC West. In 2010, the NFC West became the first division in NFL history to have a champion with a losing record, after the 2010 Seattle Seahawks won the division title with a record of 7–9. Red zone touchdowns in 2014, the second most in the NFL. Anquan Boldin is still on the roster and the team upped its receiving core by signing Torrey Smith from the Baltimore Ravens. They were one loss away from all teams having a record of .500 or better. At the risk of placing all the pressure on the quarterback, the team will flourish or flounder at the hands of Colin Kaepernick. Ten of the fifteen NFC teams were based west of Atlanta, and twelve of them were based west of Charlotte (all except the Redskins, Eagles and Giants). Offensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Graham Percentage of offensive drives ending in a turnover, the lowest in the league. *A players' strike in 1982 reduced the regular season to nine games. Now they aim for a third straight Super Bowl appearance. Kaep’ has everything in place to change everyone’s mind about the 49ers this season. RB Marshawn Lynch is back in the fold after speculation last season that he might not return. For Arizona, quarterback Carson Palmer is coming off an injury that sidelined him for half of the season. The Rams hold a record of 577–569–21 (87–152–1 since re-alignment) with four Super Bowl appearances and one win to go with a 21–26 overall playoff record. Whereas, quarterback Russell Wilson relied on Marshawn Lynch’s superb running prowess and deep passes last season, he may find himself more comfortable with short intermediate passes to one of the best tight ends currently in the game (but don’t tell Graham that; he might take offense that he’s not labeled a wide receiver). Place cursor over year for division champ or Super Bowl team. They were joined in this distinction in 2014 by the Carolina Panthers, who won the NFC South with a record of 7–8–1. X-Factor: Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers