Arizona Cardinals Lead NFC West, the NFL’s Best Division

Sept. 30, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (3) celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning 46 yard touchdown in overtime against the Miami Dolphins at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Dolphins 24-21 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

If I would have told you at the beginning of the season that the Arizona Cardinals would be among three teams that were 4-0, and the NFL West was the NFL’s strongest division, you probably would have asked what I was smoking.

The Arizona Cardinals are finally making believers out of a lot of fans and sportswriters by winning their first four games.  But the other surprise that not many folks are talking about is the fact that the NFC West is currently the NFL’s strongest division: It is the only division with a team that’s 4-0 and no team with a record of less than 2-2.

The NFC West has produced two of three NFC players of the week — for two consecutive weeks.

Arizona’s wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (offense) and Seattle’s  defensive end Chris Clemons (defense) each won the award a week ago,  and Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (special teams) and Niners linebacker Patrick Willis (defense) were winners this past week.

I realize that we are only a quarter way through the season, and a lot can change in the next 12 games (the Cardinals schedule during the second half of the season is brutal).  However, right now the Cardinals are very well positioned to make a playoff appearance once again — and who knows … it’s not impossible that the NFC West ends up sending three teams to the playoffs this year.

It could happen!