What you need to know about the NFC West

With apologies to the NFC North, welcome to the NFC West, the NFLs black-and-blue division.

This is the place where the coaches of the top two teams plain dont feel the love for one another, a 10-6 team failed to make the playoffs and a 7-9 team is on the rise and capable of knocking any of the top three off.

In short, this is where the fun is.

Arizona Cardinals

Top story line Despite a 10-6 record last season, the Cardinals were shut out of postseason play. Such is the burden of playing in the NFC West.

Key acquisition Left tackle Jared Veldheer may have missed 11 games with a triceps injury in 2013, but hes a big upgrade for Coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer.

Biggest loss Karlos Dansby, one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, left for Cleveland.

St. Louis Rams Top story line Finally, theyre finished taking the draft picks they amassed in the trade that brought Robert Griffin III to Washington. Now all they have to do is convert and make sure their quarterback remains on the field.

Key acquisition Keeping Sam Bradford healthy is the Rams priority and lineman Greg Robinson, the No. 2 pick (from Washington), will be tasked with that duty.

Biggest loss Safety Darian Stewart departed for Baltimore.

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What you need to know about the NFC West