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NFL: The Tables Have Turned in the NFC West to Seattle’s Dismay

By Dylan Huberman

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 09: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 09: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Legion of Boom reigned supreme over the NFL for half of a decade but their rule is no more.

The Seattle Seahawks crushed the Denver Broncos, who boasted one of the best offenses in the history of football, in the Super Bowl following the 2013 season. Peyton Manning’s Broncos were a two-point favorite but succumbed to Russell Wilson and company by a score of 43-8.

From that moment on, it seemed that the Seahawks had built a dreadnought. The entire league, let alone just the NFC and the NFC West within that subcategory, was at the mercy of the twelfth man.

The following year, Seattle made one of the most improbable comebacks in history, storming back from a 16-0 deficit in the second half. In their own building, Seattle couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers, until they outscored the Packers 28-6 in the second half and overtime to reach the Super Bowl once again.

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Tom Brady was the only thing standing in the way of a second consecutive championship. Seattle was down 28-24 but reached the red zone late in the fourth quarter. Instead of pounding it in with Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson threw an interception to Malcolm Butler, sealing the game and ending what could’ve been a dynasty.

Seattle’s legendary secondary has since been ripped apart, as Richard Sherman went to the San Francisco 49ers, Kam Chancellor retired, and Earl Thomas is holding out for a trade or a new contract.

The Los Angeles Rams rose from the ashes, claiming the NFC West title from the beaten and battered Seahawks. Jared Goff showed why he went first overall in the draft while Todd Gurley ran wild over every defense in the league, including Seattle.

If it wasn’t for an uninspiring performance in their first playoff tilt against Atlanta, who came within one play of ending the eventual Super Bowl winners in the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams could’ve won it all.

FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Brandin Cooks #14 of the New England Patriots looks on before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Brandin Cooks #14 of the New England Patriots looks on before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

They managed to acquire a 1,000 yard receiver Brandin Cooks from the Patriots to add to what already was one of the best offenses in the league. Somehow, they also added Ndamukong Suh next to Aaron Donald, forming one of the scariest defensive interiors in recent memory. If last year’s team didn’t scare everyone, this year’s team certainly will.

With the Rams rising into the spotlight, so too come the San Francisco 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. The Arizona Cardinals are revived with David Johnson returning from injured reserve and a stable of quarterbacks with Sam Bradford and first-round selection Josh Rosen ready in the wing.

The 49ers have built for the last five years to replace the team that made a run to the Super Bowl before bowing out to Joe Flacco’s Ravens just before the Seahawks ascended in 2013. They now have the quarterback to make it not only work but dominate, at least if the end of the 2017 season is any indication.

Arizona has been up and down over the last few seasons, showing flashes of brilliance throughout the last decade. However, the oft-injured Carson Palmer was replaced by Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen behind him, ensuring capability at the game’s most important position.

From where the Seahawks once perched atop the conference, there’s now a real chance Seattle is in the gutter of the NFC West.

The NFC runs through Philadelphia at the moment, thanks to some heroics from Nick Foles, but don’t expect this division to roll over at the sight of a healthy Carson Wentz.

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Los Angeles is ready to make a push to win now, while San Francisco and Arizona (Rosen permitting) are not far behind. The next decade or so will be one heck of a ride out west.

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