49ers Will Have NFC West’s 3rd Best Defense
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Just a few short years ago, the NFC West was widely viewed as the NFL’s worst division. With good reason, too. In the 2010 regular season, the Seahawks won the West with a losing record. That was when the 49ers were still underMike Singletary‘s leadership andJim Harbaughhadn’t quite made the trip from Palo Alto to San Francisco.
Now, however, the division is easily the league’s best and also boast’s some of the best defenses.
Let’s rank the defenses — from worst to best — for the upcoming season.
4. Arizona Cardinals
The loss of Pro-BowlerDarnell Dockettreally hurts. Without that injury, they may be the division’s second-best defense. WithPatrick Peterson— who’s paid like the league’s best corner, much to the chagrin ofRichard Sherman— andTyrann Mathieumatching up with the opposition’s best receivers, throwing against the Cardinals will be a tough task.
However, running may prove to be even more difficult. Last year, Arizona had the league’s best rushing defense, only giving up 84.4 yards per game on the ground. The loss of Dockett will surely weaken them up front, but they still will be stout with the likes ofCalais CampbellandJohn Abraham.
3. San Francisco 49ers
If everyone was healthy — and avoided suspensions — the San Francisco 49ers could compete with Seattle for the best defense in the West. However, they’re not.NaVorro Bowmanwill miss at least six games after being placed on the PUP list andAldon Smithwill be out anywherebetween two and eight games.
Niner Noise
The agingJustin Smithcannot be relied upon for a full season this far into his career, making San Francisco weaker up front. They have the depth to give Smith plenty of breathers, but they won’t be able to fully replace him.
Free-agent signeeAntoine Bethea— who is replacing the hard-hittingDonte Whitner— suffered a concussion versus the Denver Broncos in the christening of Levi’s Stadium. The injury doesn’t seem too serious, but it still stretches San Francisco’s already-thin secondary.
2. St. Louis Rams
Mark it down. The St. Louis Rams will record the most sacks in the NFL. They’ll still finish last in the division afterSam Bradfordtore his ACL again, but they have a fearsome front seven. WithChris Long,Robert Quinn,James Laurinaitis,Alec Ogletree, and rookieAaron Donald, they sure know how the rush the quarterback.
Their secondary lacks some talent and depth. They will appear better than they are thanks to the constant pressure all quarterbacks will be under when playing the Rams.
St. Louis’ defense will keep the game close most of the time, but they won’t make much progress from last season on the offensive side of the ball.
1. Seattle Seahawks
No surprise here, right? The Seahawks once again have the league’s best defense, but it’ll be closer than it was last season.Red Bryant,Chris Clemons,Walter ThurmondIII, andBrandon Brownerhave all moved on. Some will be replaced well, but I expect a drop off in defensive efficiency from a year ago.
They signed Sherman,Earl Thomas, andMichael Bennett, essentially keeping their core together. The Legion of Boom will still be alive and well, but maybe Sherman won’t be considered the “league’s best corner” anymore, although he won’t admit it.
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