St. Louis had its mind on the past when the 2002 season started, specifically to the previous Super Bowl, when it was upset by New England.

The result was an 0-5 start that led to a 7-9 season for what had been the NFL's dominant team since 1999.

The Rams should be back this season to challenge the class of the NFC West, San Francisco, which changed coaches. Seattle is moving up, and the Cardinals have been a bad team for most of the past half-century. Seattle is the sleeper team in the division.

1. 49ERS

Coach: Dennis Erickson (first year)

2002 record: 10-6, first in division, lost to Tampa Bay in divisional playoff game.

Key newcomers: TE Jed Weaver, DT Travis Kirschke, rookie OT Kwame Harris, rookie DT Anthony Adams, rookie WR Brandon Lloyd, Erickson.

Key losses: DT Dana Stubblefield (Oakland), G Dave Fiore (Washington), DE Chike Okeafor (Seattle).

Overview: What kind of shenanigans does WR Terrell Owens have in store this season? Whatever it is, he's still the premier receiver in the game. QB Jeff Garcia's back has been giving him trouble in training camp; that's not good. LB Julian Peterson shut down Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez last season and could be in his final year as a Niner. He and Owens are both due to be free agents.

Super stat: Owens has had at least 1,300 yards and 13 TDs for three straight years.

2. RAMS

Coach: Mike Martz (33-19, fourth year)

2002 record: 7-9, second in division.

Key newcomers: OT Kyle Turley, C Dave Wohlabaugh, TE Cam Cleeland, RB Leon Johnson, rookie WR Kevin Curtis.

Key losses: P Mitch Berger (New Orleans), CB Dre' Bly (Detroit), RB Trung Canidate (Washington), TE Ernie Crowell (New Orleans), WR Ricky Proehl (Carolina), DT Jeff Zgonina (Miami).

Overview: If QB Kurt Warner and RB Marshall Faulk are healthy, it's still the Greatest Show on Turf. Adding Turley and Wohlabaugh makes this one of the league's best offensive lines. Faulk had a sub-par 2002 season with neck, foot and ankle injuries. DT Grant Wistrom is a high-energy player who can lead the defense.

Super stat: Warner was 0-6 and threw 11 picks to only three touchdown passes while missing most of last season with a series of hand and finger injuries.

3. SEAHAWKS

Coach: Mike Holmgren (31-34, fifth year)

2002 record: 7-9, third in division.

Key newcomers: DT Norman Hand, DE Chike Okeafor, S Damien Robinson, OT Michael Thompson. rookie CB Marcus Trufant, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes.

Key losses: P Jeff Feagles (NY Giants), K Rian Lindell (Buffalo).

Overview: Koren Robinson is the team's best WR since Steve Largent - and he's only getting better. QB Matt Hasselback played well in the second half of the season and could be ready for a breakthrough. RB Shaun Alexander needs to be more consistent, but he's always capable of the big game.

Super stat: Seattle ranked last in the league against the run and 28th overall.

4. CARDINALS

Coach: Dave McGinnis (13-28, fourth year)

2002 record: 5-11, fourth in division.

Key newcomers: RB Emmitt Smith, QB Jeff Blake, S Dexter Jackson, C Frank Garcia, rookie WR Bryant Johnson.

Key losses: QB Jake Plummer (Denver), RB Thomas Jones (Tampa Bay), WR David Boston (San Diego), WR MarTay Jenkins (Atlanta), WR Frank Sanders (Baltimore).

Overview: Smith is winding down his Hall of Fame career, but he should bring his golf clubs to every game because by the second half, he's going to be an afterthought. Jackson will try not to be the next Larry Brown - a Super Bowl MVP who signed a big deal and went bust. Blake will try to fill the size 2 shoes of Jake Plummer. Problem is, he wears a size 1. Hands down, the worst organization in the NFL now that Cincinnati appears to be moving forward.

Super stat: Backup RB Marcel Shipp rushed for 834 yards last season.

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