Eric:
You know what is great about the NFC West? The teams in the division are required to play each other. Without that, who knows if the 49ers or Cardinals would win a game?
Let's be honest, you didn't watch the Sunday night "showdown" between the Niners and Cards in Mexico last weekend, and why would you?
The 49ers got a miraculous first-week win over the Rams that made some heads turn, but quickly got right back on the same trolley they've riding the past few years. Sure, Bryant Young leads the NFL in sacks, but I'm pretty sure I'd have six sacks if I were spending my entire Sunday afternoon on the field. The best thing they have is Mike Nolan, but I'd keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn't jump off the city's sacred landmark.
The Cardinals do have kicker Neil Rackers, who is setting records left and right. But Arizona's offensive line is so abominable that Lavar Arrington could pick up as many rushing yards as Cards' running back J.J. Arrington. Rackers could set every NFL kicking record, but they don't play San Fran every week.
The Rams are a long way from what was once "The Greatest Show on Turf." I mean, they found a way to lose to San Francisco … and they posted victories against the lowly Cardinals and the Titans before getting man-handled by the lesser of the two Manning brothers last week.
Somehow Seattle continues to get more credit than they deserve. Last week Josh Brown raised his arms on a field goal at the end of regulation, only to watch it clang off the upright. Perhaps that's a sign — even in this terrible division, the Seahawks are no shoo-in. Of their two wins, one of them is against Arizona.
What is it with western divisions being so terrible these days? Maybe that should be next week's debate: Which is worse, the NFC West or baseball's National League West?
Tom:
Want to see some bad football? Just make a trip into the northernmost region of the Midwest every Sunday and turn on the local Fox network.
Last year the Packers won this division with a 10-6 record. One Javon Walker knee injury and a failed attempt to replace Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera later, Green Bay finds itself at 0-4.
Last year the Vikings won a playoff game. One Randy Moss trade later, and Mike Tice is having nightmares of pink slips yet again.
Last year the Lions and Bears both struggled, but after promising off-seasons, appeared to be on the upswing, with loads of young talent. Still not happening.
How bad is the NFC North? Joey Harrington and Kyle Orton both start under center in the division. Yeah, it's hard to believe anyone could rival the combination of Heath Shuler and Dave Brown in the mid-90s NFC East, but Harrington and Orton have done just that.
Yet somehow, the Orton-led Bears, at 1-2, sit atop the division by virtue of their win over Detroit, who also has a record of 1-2. The Lion's lone win came against the Packers, and the Vikings, who currently are 1-3, have only beaten the nomadic New Orleans Saints.
Minnesota and Green Bay do share a common problem — they both have a shoddy defense. I guess Darren Sharper really can transport epidemics across state lines.
Rather than following the race for the title, try watching Tice, Mike Sherman and Steve Mariucci sweat and duke it out for the prestigious spot of "first NFC North coach fired."
Another exciting thing to watch in this division could be the battle for top pick in next April's college draft. And wouldn't Reggie Bush look good in green and gold?
Other than that, I guess seeing a 6-10 playoff team would be kind of historic.