1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

3 KEY ENTERING 2008

1. FIND A RUNNING BACK: The additions of Julius Jones and TJ Duckett add depth but Mike Holmgren and his staff still need to find a starting running back. Jones has looked O.K and Duckett is really nothing more than a short yardage type. Keep an eye on Mo Morris, he;s impressed and is not out of the running.

2. KEEP HASSELBECK HEALTHY: Matt Hasselbeck had a career year in 2007 and that was primarily because the Squaks spread it out and chucked it 45 times a game. That took its toll on Hasselbeck but with more of a commitment to the ground game in 08, Seattle should be able to protect their most prized asset.

3. IS THE DEFENSE CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER? The Seahawks are young and talented on D but they haven’t proven if they are a championship caliber unit. If Seattle is to advance beyond the divisional round, this group must elevate their game. Last season’s 42-20 loss to Green Bay in the playoffs proved this group hadn’t taken the next step towards being an elite defense.

IN THE END: The Seahawks are the best team in the NFC West but its hard to say how they stack up to the rest of the NFC. You would like to say they are in the top three but its hard to do that because they have some weaknesses at key spots. If Hasselbeck stays healthy and the defense emerges, 11 wins is in the books. If they can’t run and protect the quarterback, 8-8 is more likely.

2. ARIZONA CARDINALS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. RESOLVE THE BOLDIN ISSUE: I am a firm believer that in football, certain guys can be cancers and in this case, Anquan Boldin wanting more money or to be traded is a classic example. If either Ken Whisenhunt or the front office don’t address this, it could derail a potential playoff season. The guy’s numbers prove he is an elite receiver but is he worth what he wants? Ultimately, that is the front office’s decision.

2. GET MORE OUT OF THE GROUND GAME: Ken Whisenhunt loves to pound the ball but with Edgerin James slowing down and no legit option behind him, the Cards must be creative in how they get their back touches. 3.8 yards per carry is decent but not great in this day in age. For James to be effective in this system, he needs to be around 4.2. Regardless of how many touches he gets, Arizona needs him to be better.

3. D MUST RISE UP: Arizona needs more out of their defense if they want to either win the division or back door it in as a wild card. DC Clancy Pendergast runs an aggressive, multiple 30 defense but it was inconsistent last season. If Pendergast wants his star to continue to shine as a future head coaching candidate, he must make this a top ten unit.

IN THE END: Arizona is good enough to be a playoff team but questions abound. Is Matt Leinart the guy to get them there? Can Edge be productive?, can they shut up Boldin for now and get him to play? All of these must be answered before we can definitively say they are a playoff contender.

3. ST. LOUIS RAMS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. KEEP BULGER HEALTHY: The Rams will only go as far as Marc Bulger’s arm will take them but last season that arm ( along with the rest of him) struggled to stay on the field. St. Louis has good enough skill to return to their explosive days of yesteryear under new OC Al Saunders but it will come down to Bulger staying on the field.

2. GET JACKSON BACK IN THE GROOVE: Now that Steven Jackson is happy and well-paid, he must try to get the reps he missed and prepare himself to be an elite back once again. In this “new” offense, expect Jackson to touch the ball 25-35 times.

3. WHERE'S THE D?: The Rams defense has been lackluster to say the least in recent years but this could be the year they turn the corner with a solid defensive line anchored by rookie DE Chris Long and a young and talented secondary. If this group makes any strides and gets into the top fifteen, St. Louis could win ten games and get in as a wild card.

IN THE END: The Rams aren’t your daddy’s Rams but are still good enough especially on offense to be a playoff contender in the wide-open NFC. This is a make or break year for Scott Linehan and if this team doesn’t make the playoffs, he could be looking for work elsewhere. So much of their success will hinge on whether or not they absorb Saunders’ massive playbook and get something out of their defense.

4. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. SCORE POINTS: Mike Martz is an offensive genius but even he will find scoring points with group to be a daunting task. Now that JT O’Sullivan is the guy however, the Niners do have enough talent and a triggerman who understands the offense and at the very least help them average three touchdowns a game.

2. KEEP GORE HEALTHY: Frank Gore could be a star in this offense and is going to be the Niners version of Marshall Faulk. He’ll play all three downs and although he has been relatively healthy since entering the league, he could experience some wear and tear playing that much. Regardless, he’ll probably touch the ball 30 times a game.

3. DEFENSE MUST TAKE NEXT STEP: The defense is young and talented but if the Niners are going to entertain playoff thoughts, this group must mature and be a catalyst towards a playoff push.

IN THE END: Mike Martz was brought in to salvage Alex Smith and save Mike Nolan’s job. Although Nolan is well respected and regarded, the Niners haven’t progressed enough in his tenure. It will take either a playoff birth or nine wins to save his job. In the end, he’ll have to return the Niners to respectability.