As we continue our tour through the NFL, we will take a look at what will probably be one of the weakest divisions in the league, the NFC West.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers will try to win the division for the second year in a row behind venerable QB Steve Young. WR Jerry Rice will be back from his knee injury that plagued him for all but three games a year ago, and he will be joined by Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes at the wideout spot. FB William Floyd left the Bay area for Carolina, and it appears that the 49ers will depend on RB Garrison Hearst to carry the load.

The defense lost four starters through free agency, but return DT Bryant Young, LB Ken Norton, Jr. and FS Merton Hanks.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina will try to bounce back from their very disappointing season a year ago. They will count on QB Kerry Collins to have a better year, and FB William Floyd should help both the ground game and the running attack. TE Wesley Walls is one of the best in the game, while WR’s Rae Carruth and Mark Carrier return as well.

The defense will look very different from the unit that finished 12th in the NFC last year. They have imported proven NFL veterans DE Sean Gilbert, CB Doug Evans and LB Kevin Greene to improve the unit.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Hoping to build on the momentum that was gained by finishing the season winning five of their last six games, the Falcons have added veterans that will provide stability to a young club. Chris Chandler had the best year of his career last year, and 1,000 yard rusher Jamal Anderson should again be solid. The receiving corps took a big hit when Bert Emanuel left for Tampa Bay, but they still have veteran Terrance Mathis.

The other side of the ball features LB Cornelius Bennett and free agent S Eugene Robinson, along with DE’s Chuck Smith and Lester Archambeau.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

The Rams finished last year with a record of 5-11, and this year looks to be much of the same. Inconsistent QB Tony Banks will pilot the offense, and he will look to hand off to rookie Robert Holcombe and throw to Issac Bruce and Ricky Proehl.

The defense should be improved with first round draft pick Grant Wistrom and LB Eric Hill, and they return solid players Kevin Carter and Todd Lyght.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Saints are in the second year of the Mike Ditka era, and this could be the worst year of Iron Mike’s coaching career. They will start QB Billy Joe Hobert, who is at best unproven. The RB’s include Ray Zellars and former Cyclone Troy Davis, while the receivers are lead by Andre Hastings.

The NFC’s fourth rated defense returns, with a few additions as well. The secondary should be good with CB Tyrone Drakeford and S Chad Cota combining with Alex Molden, while the rest of the defense is led by LB Mark Fields.

The NFC West is one that appears to have only one sure bet for the playoffs, but other teams may step up and be surprise contenders.