This last evening the monkeys that I have write my articles threatened to go "Trunk Monkey" on me unless they got to write another fanpost. Since I value my sanity (as well as not wanting to have to clean the trunk of the car) I decided to let them write one.

For those who don't understand the reference, here you go.

Trunk Monkey Commercials (via rdbextreme)

I've been reading and watching some of the "analysis" that is going on about the NFL. Some is quite good, other not so much. I won't bore you with a recitation here with everything. However, I decided I'm going to do my own analysis. Here it is.

THE NFC WEST WILL BE THE NEW AFC NORTH.

I have to admit this is a bold prediction. After all, the AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs. That is a very difficult thing to do. It is the reason I think the AFC North was the strongest division last year. The NFC West has, for the most part, been the laughingstock of the NFL for many years. Comments about a 7-9 division winner still ring in my ears. So why this prediction?

Simple. The NFC West has built themselves up and are in a similar vein the AFC North used to get where they are. In fact, I'll make a case on how our teams are similar to each other.

San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. - Two hard-nosed defenses with a very powerful front 7. Doesn't score a huge amount of points. Loves to run. Coached by a Harbaugh.

Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburg Steelers. - Two great defenses. Has a big rivalry with the other tough defense. Don't ever fall asleep on them.

Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals. - Can we say hot and cold? Sometimes fantastic, sometimes not. One year they can be top-notch and make a good run, the very next year they go 4-12.

St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns. - Two long-suffering franchises. (Ok, this was tough. I think the Rams are far better than the Browns.) Rams are being built on Defense, and have a potential great young QB, just like the Browns.

Some differences however. The Seahawks don't have a great QB (we'll see about Flynn). The NFC West teams are, in my opinion, closer in talent level overall than the AFC North. The Rams have a good foundation in place, whereas the Browns seem to shoot themselves in the foot every year. And the Cards don't have the ... um ... character issues that the Bengals have.

The NFC West is poised to make an impact upon the rest of the league. The NFC West is contrarian in their approach to building a football team; defense first, pound the rock, no elite QB. Smash the other team in the mouth. In the next two years, you will see the NFC West send two teams to the playoffs with a third contending.

Oh, and I predict the 49ers get #6.

via i1165.photobucket.com