West

2007 predicted order of finish . . .

* 1. Seattle: The window of opportunity could be narrowing for a team that reached the 2006 Super Bowl but has yet to win it all. The Seahawks suffered through injuries last season -- losing quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander for weeks at a time -- and figure to be healthier this time around. But Coach Mike Holmgren must find the right mix on the offensive line and, more important, shore up a defense that ranked 19th in the NFL after surrendering too many game-breaking plays. Free agents Deon Grant and Brian Russell join the secondary, and former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney should help pressure opposing quarterbacks.

* 2. St. Louis: Now that Marc Bulger has signed a contract extension for the most money in Rams history, the 30-year-old is expected to guide his team into the playoffs. Bulger has help from running back Steven Jackson and a stable of capable receivers, but the Rams -- much like the team they are chasing in the West -- have defensive problems. After surrendering a league-worst 145 rushing yards per game last season, they used a first-round draft pick on Nebraska run-stopper Adam Carriker and traded for Detroit Lions defensive end James Hall.

* 3. San Francisco: This is an intriguing division because of the teams at the bottom, not the top. Start with the 49ers, who have the look of an up-and-comer. Running back Frank Gore led the conference in rushing -- he should recover from a broken hand in training camp -- and quarterback Alex Smith showed glimpses of fulfilling his top-pick potential in 2006. The defense stumbled through the first half of the season before shuffling the lineup and now gets an infusion of free-agent help. If new arrivals Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie produce at receiver, the 49ers could be a contender.

* 4. Arizona: Only three NFL teams fared worse at stopping offenses last season, and there’s no reason to expect a miraculous turnaround for the Cardinals’ defense this fall. Now for the good news: First-year Coach Ken Whisenhunt, the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, has talent on the other side of the ball. Running back Edgerrin James came into camp fit and motivated, quarterback Matt Leinart is older and wiser after a promising rookie season, and Arizona has two big, strong receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. A lot depends on the offensive line, but don’t forget: This is a team that finished 2006 with a 4-2 record against division rivals.