An Embarrassment No Longer

Just two short years ago the NFC West was the laughing stock of the NFL and an embarrassment to professional team sports across the globe. The Seahawks "won" this division with an abysmal record of 7-9 and were inexplicably allowed to participate in the playoffs. Fast forward to the present, and the NFC West has become arguably the toughest division in football, and just might possess the two best teams in the NFL: Seattle and San Francisco.

San Francisco has turned their franchise around 180° in the past few years. They have gone from a doormat in the post-Steve Young era, to a legitimate yearly contender, even playing in this past Super Bowl, ultimately losing to the Baltimore Ravens. They appear to have found their quarterback of the future in the strong-armed, swift-footed Colin Kaepernick. They have a formidable defense led by the dynamic linebacker duo of NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Combined with the recent theft of Anquan Boldin from the aforementioned Super Bowl champs (only giving up a sixth round draft pick, one of their fifteen total draft selections) it is clear that the 49ers franchise is back to it's former glory and intends to challenge for the Lombardi trophy for years to come.

Not to be outdone, the Seattle Seahawks have done everything they can to keep pace with, and possibly surpass the team in San Francisco. They have their own answer for Kaepernick in Russell Wilson. They have built what, in my estimation, is the strongest defense in the NFL with the addition of Cliff Avril to a line-up that already has Chris Clemmons; the surprise of last-year's draft, Bruce Irvin; and the best secondary in the NFL headed by one of my favorite non-Miami Dolphins, Richard Sherman (of the 'U Mad Bro' fame). Seattle also made their own move in the trade market, giving up multiple picks to acquire the services of the immensely talented Percy Harvin. The addition of Harvin should add an element to the Seahawks offense that just might put them over the top and into the discussion of "Best Teams in the NFL".

With a combination of savvy picks through the draft, the acquisition of many key free agents, and the gall to pull off blockbuster trades, both the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have done all they can to ensure that the NFC West is an embarrassment no longer.