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The San Francisco 49ers are the overwhelming favorites to win the NFC West. Of 16 ESPN analysts to fill out thier picks for the 2012-13 season, just one of them picked the Arizona Cardinals to win the division.

AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley was the one to pick the Cardinals, and said that it mostly had to do with his lack of trust in 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

"Obviously, the choice for the NFC West winner would've been different if the 49ers had lured Peyton Manning to San Francisco. And one of the big reasons why I chose Arizona is my lack of confidence in Alex Smith repeating last year's success."

Hensley wasn't oblivious to the quarterback battle here in Arizona either, but said that the talent of Larry Fitzgerald and the coaching ability of Ken Whisenhunt was enough for him to pick the Cardinals.

"Don't get me wrong. There is concern at the quarterback position and the offensive line. I just think their talent at the skill positions on offense, namely Larry Fitzgerald, is good enough to offset those question marks. Plus, coach Ken Whisenhunt is undervalued as a coach in his ability to get the most out of his teams."

Hensley added that while all of the focus has been on the quarterbacks, the Cardinals have flown below the radar with a defense that is underrated.

The Seattle Seahawks also received one vote.
8 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    nonsoon wrote...
    Who?
    August 30, 2012 1:34 pm
    Never heard of Hensely but he is obviously going against the tide to stand out from the others and make a mini-name for himself. SF QB concerns vs. the Cards QB concerns? Are you kidding me? I'm pretty confident Hensely hasn't put any of his money down on the Cards to win the division over in Vegas.
  • Abuse
    AZSPORTFAN wrote...
    Concern ........ ALWAYS
    August 30, 2012 1:55 pm
    The Cardinals will surprise everyone this year. Everyone has us in last place but I don't see it even with the QB and O-line problems. Pre-season is what it is ... PRE-SEASON. I beleive we will see a whole different team once the regular season starts. Also, you better beleive that Whiz knows who the QB is.......... GO CARDINALS
  • Abuse
    jswanson737 wrote...
    MMMMM.
    August 30, 2012 3:35 pm
    Delicious, that Kool-Aid is...
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    haha
    August 30, 2012 4:38 pm
    That was so funny I forgot to laugh.
  • Abuse
    Steve S. wrote...
    High-Larious
    August 30, 2012 6:05 pm
    This dude is higher than a kite! The only thing I can think of; since the division is so crappy, he's just trying to make a name for himself. If they were to luck out, he could be known for something. Right now, he's a nobody!
  • Abuse
    DanTheTimid wrote...
    Gotta love commentors
    August 31, 2012 7:51 am
    It amazes me how often people like to dismiss others opinions. I admit Hensely's justification for his opinion was a little weak, but its his opinion and he's free to make it. If he's wrong it does nothing but hurt his credibility, so I find it hard to believe it would be worth making a prediction he doesn't believe in just to stand out among fans in a division he doesn't normally cover. Personally I agree with most of his points, I just find it hard to see the cards winning this division do to the strength of their schedule. Now lets all share a laugh when the Rams win the division.
  • Abuse
    Steve L. wrote...
    Rocker
    August 31, 2012 8:50 am
    Can someone help this poor analyst back into his rocker? The Cards are slated to win about 9 games this year. We'll be lucky to do that with this O-line. Until the Cards get a handle on the FOUNDATION of the offense, the offense is going to struggle. Trent Differ will tell you that you don't need a good QB to win a SB as long as you have a very good D, but you still have to have a good O-line to run the ball.
  • Abuse
    Dawgs wrote...
    Power Drinking the red LoolAid
    August 31, 2012 8:54 am
    Let me put my glass down... 10 Win Season... At least 1 win credited to Patrick Peterson At Least 4 Wins credited to the defense That leaves only 5 wins needed by our offensive play. I dont care who is behind center 5 Wins is not out of the question.
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