Record-wise, in the past few years the winners of the NFC West have usually had an average record. 7-9, 10-6, and 9-7 is barely skirting into the playoffs, often times losing in the divisional round with the exception of the Seahawks and Cardinals appearance.
2000 New Orleans Saints 10-6-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2001 St. Louis Rams 14-2-0 Lost Super Bowl XXXVI
2002 San Francisco 49ers 10-6-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2003 St. Louis Rams 12-4-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2004 Seattle Seahawks 9-7-0 Lost NFC Wild Card Playoffs
2005 Seattle Seahawks 13-3-0 Lost Super Bowl XL
2006 Seattle Seahawks 9-7-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2007 Seattle Seahawks 10-6-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2008 Arizona Cardinals 9-7-0 Lost Super Bowl XLIII
2009 Arizona Cardinals 10-6-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2010 Seattle Seahawks 7-9-0 Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
Since 2000, the NFC has had
three Super Bowl representatives. And lost each one. This doesn't include the 1999 Rams who won the Super Bowl. I understand they won it, but you're referring to 2000. All in all, the NFC West is generally considered quite weak and in case you missed last year, kind of pathetic. The Seahawks getting into the playoffs with a 7-9 record was fun, and it was quite entertaining to watch them beat the Saints.
While I thoroughly enjoy watching the Cardinals and Rams play when they're on, you have to admit that the division as a whole has been quite average.