Seattle, the NFC champions of the season before, limped out of this division into the playoffs last season, and it took a slippery ball sliding out of Tony Romo’s hands to advance further. The rest of the division was no better, with St. Louis, San Francisco and Arizona falling into line behind the Seahawks, still trying to improve. Is this year going to be different?

From bottom to top, the NFC West in 2007-08:

Arizona Cardinals: Ken Whisenhunt is the new coach of the Cardinals. He’s the eighth new one in the 19 years the franchise has been in Phoenix. He’s got a long row to hoe, to say the least. Looking at his offense, one would have to wonder what the problem is. QB Matt Leinart should improve further this year, RB Edgerrin James couldn’t possibly have two disappointing (for him) seasons in a row. And there’s two All-Pros (Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin) at wide receiver. Where’s the issue? Firstly, the gentlemen right in front of Leinart are one, as the offensive line gave up 38 sacks last year, and draft pick Levi Brown will only help so much. And defensively, they’re still one of the worst units in the league. On enthusiasm alone, this team will improve, but don’t print those playoff tickets just yet. Prediction: 7-9, fourth place.

San Francisco 49ers: Coach Mike Nolan has done a great job bringing the once-proud 49er franchise back up the hill toward respectability, and his commitment shows right down to his personal dress code, getting the league to allow him to wear suits on the sideline at home. He’s got good young talent in QB Alex Smith and RB Frank Gore, both of whom should be on the upswing this year. They went out and signed veteran receivers Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie, a good move in and of itself, to improve the 26th ranked offense. The 26th ranked defense made a few good moves, too, drafting CB Patrick Willis and signing Michael Lewis. This team is on the doorstep, and only need a few breaks to get in. Prediction: 8-8, third place

Seattle Seahawks: This team faced major issues last year, with injuries to QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB (and the previous season’s Offensive Player of the Year) Shaun Alexander taking away most of their season. If both of them are back and healthy, that could help this team maintain respectability, but they are about it for the offense. On defense, the unit was 19th in the league with DE Grant Wistrom, and other than signing Wistrom-alike DE Patrick Kerney, they didn’t make any real moves to improve that unit. The window is closing quickly in Seattle, and it might just catch coach Mike Holmgren’s fingers in it this time. Prediction: 8-8, second place

St. Louis Rams: It would be easy to say that it’s back to the good ol’ days for the Rams, back to the Greatest Show on Turf offense since they signed WR/KR Dante Hall, the NFL’s Human Highlight Film, and solid possession receiver Drew Bennett from the Chiefs and Titans, respectively, but those days didn’t really leave. The offense was sixth in the league last year before adding Hall and Bennett to the ranks along with QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, and WR Torry Holt, so, as it hasn’t been for years in St. Louis, offense isn’t the issue. It’s defense that is the problem. It was 23rd in the league last year, 31st against the run. While DE Adam Carriker was a good draft pick, he doesn’t help against the run too much. In a division of great backs, this could be a problem. But, then again, you go to the circus to forget your problems for a while. Prediction: 9-7, division champions

It will be nip-and-tuck all year between Seattle and St. Louis but, in the end, the top-flight offense will be able to eke out enough points to cover a sub-par defense just enough for the Rams to get by.