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2015 NFL Predictions: Arizona Cardinals or St. Louis Rams better shot to win NFC West?

By Dan Salem

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Setting the Seahawks aside, who has the best chance to win the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals or St. Louis Rams? All your 2015 NFL predictions before we hit week one. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

Who has the better chance to win the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals or the St. Louis Rams?

Now I obviously still believe that the Seattle Seahawks will triumph in this division, but that is likely not up for debate. What IS up for debate is who has the best chance to upset them (forget the 49ers!), and I actually think it’s the Rams.

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Sure, Arizona was a full five games better than St. Louis last season and still three games better the season before. However, the two squads are trending relatively evenly right now with STL on the rise and ARI due to regress.

First off, they both had and should continue to have strong defenses. The Rams could put the best pass rush on the field in the entire NFL with their front four rotation. Meanwhile, Arizona is retooling its defense but not rebuilding. The secondary is superb when healthy and Calais Campbell anchors the front.

But “when healthy” is the caveat that may vanquish the Cardinals in this contest. Will Tyrann Mathieu stay on the field? Can Andre Ellington stay on the field? Most importantly, what about Carson Palmer?

The entire success of the offense rests on the health of Palmer’s repaired knee. The Rams don’t have the same level of talent on this side of the ball, but I think Nick Foles is grossly underrated at the quarterback position. The Rams do have health questions of their own with Foles himself, as well as Todd Gurley and Brian Quick returning from major injuries.

I guess it comes down to strength against strength for me. The Rams defensive front is a better unit than anything on the Cardinals team. That gives them a slight edge in my mind. Plus, look out for the Foles bounce-back year!

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams offensive lineman

Greg Robinson

(79) tackles Arizona Cardinals linebacker

Marcus Benard

(59) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

If neither the Cardinals nor Rams can actually take down the Seahawks, then they’ll certainly be playing for second place in the NFC West and a wildcard berth. Sorry not sorry San Francisco. But if one team is to overtake the reigning division champions and steal the NFC West in 2015, it will be the St. Louis Rams.

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Your points about these teams being rather even are well taken, despite Arizona’s dominance in recent years. I’m not as quick to dismiss the upheaval caused by former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles departure from the Cardinals, however.

When a coordinator leaves to become a head coach, you know he was something special. Coaches often get ‘demoted’ to coordinator jobs, but the promotions are more noteworthy. Bowles was outstanding in his two seasons with the Cardinals, winning AP Assistant coach of the year last season and leading Arizona’s defense to back to back seasons ranking 6th (2013) and 5th (2014) overall in points allowed per game.

The impact of a coaching change is difficult to quantify, but strength of schedule is not. Both the Rams and Cardinals play nearly identical schedules, with matching division opponents and games against the NFC North and AFC North. But Arizona will also face the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, two up-tempo and high powered offensive attacks. St. Louis faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins, two teams immersed in transition and question marks. Those two games will make a major difference in the final standings.

Arizona and St. Louis face off for the final time in week thirteen, after which the Cardinals must run the gauntlet over the final four weeks. Good luck against Minnesota, Philadelphia, Green Bay, and Seattle. The Rams will be licking their chops against Detroit, Tampa Bay, Seattle, and ultimately San Francisco. Going 3-1 or 2-2 down the stretch will make all the difference that St. Louis needs, compared to 1-3 for their division foes. Rams take the West.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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