Know Your Enemy: NFC West Update on Cardinals, 49ers, Rams – Week 9

Courtesy of Tony Drovetto
Seahawks.com Writer & Producer
@TonyDrovetto on Twitter

Seattle took sole possession of second place in the division with its 30-24 win over the Oakland Raiders this past Sunday at CenturyLink Field.

The 5-3 Seahawks sit ahead of the 4-4 San Francisco 49ers and 3-5 St. Louis Rams, but still find themselves chasing the 7-1 Arizona Cardinals for the NFC West lead.

At the season’s midpoint, the Seahawks have played just one divisional game – a 28-26 loss to the Rams in Week 7. As a result, five of the team’s final six games will come against NFC West opponents.

On Monday, head coach Pete Carroll was asked how he perceives the team’s abundance of divisional games down the stretch.

“I really like the scheduling the way it comes down like that,” Carroll said. “I think it really adds to the build up at the finish for everybody. I think it’s cool. It also leaves everything out there as late as possible, which is great for us in our particular situation, but I think it’s good for anybody that watches the game.”

Without further ado, here’s a look at how Seattle’s closest rivals fared this past Sunday:

Arizona Cardinals (7-1)

The Result

A 28-17 road win over the Dallas Cowboys (6-3).

What Happened

Quarterback Carson Palmer carried the Cardinals to their fourth straight win, finishing 22-of-34 for 249 yards and three touchdowns – one each to wide receiver Jaron Brown, running back Andre Ellington, and former Seahawks tight end John Carlson … Ellington racked up 95 yards on 21 carries (4.5-yard average), adding another 39 yards through the air … Wideout Larry Fitzgerald led all Arizona receivers with five grabs for 70 yards, extending the longest active streak with at least one catch to 157 games … Safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Antonio Cromartie recorded interceptions of Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden, who stepped in for injured starter Tony Romo (back) … Cornerback Patrick Peterson shadowed Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant most of the game, holding him without a catch until the game’s final two minutes … The Cardinals defense held Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray under 100 yards for the first time all season, ending his streak of 100-plus-yard rushing games at eight.

Who’s Hurt

The Cardinals emerged from Sunday’s meeting with the Cowboys without any major injuries … Ellington was sidelined shortly with a head injury in the second quarter, but was able to return to action … Backup running back Stepfan Taylor (calf) was the only player to miss the team’s Week 9 game to injury.

Name To Know

Tyrann Mathieu. The former LSU standout who used the early part of Arizona’s season to recover from ACL and LCL injuries snagged his first pick of the year against the Cowboys.

Worth Noting

For the first time since 1974, the Cardinals have sole possession of the NFC’s best record this late into a season … Palmer had at least two touchdown passes for the sixth straight game and longest streak of his 12-year career …

What’s Next

The Cardinals welcome the division rival Rams (3-5) to Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 9 with television coverage on FOX.

Worth A Look

This celebration from the Cardinals’ Ellington following his one-yard touchdown catch from Palmer.

San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

The Result

A 13-10 setback to the St. Louis Rams (3-5) at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium.

What Happened

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick fumbled the football at the goal line with two seconds to play while trying for the go-ahead score and the Rams recovered to preserve a 13-10 victory … Kaepernick was sacked eight times for minus 54 yards on the day, completing 22-of-33 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown … Niners running back Frank Gore carried 14 times for 49 yards, with backup Carlos Hyde adding 17 yards on two carries … Wide receiver Anquan Boldin led all 49ers pass catchers with six grabs for 93 yards and a score … Cornerback Perrish Cox and safety Antoine Bethea each recorded picks of Rams quarterback Austin Davis

Who’s Hurt

Linebacker Dan Skuta (ankle) and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (hamstring) both made early exits from Sunday’s game against the Rams.

Name To Know

Chris Borland. The rookie linebacker made 18 tackles (15 solo, three for loss) against the Rams while filling in for Pro Bowler Patrick Willis, who missed his second straight game with a toe injury. Borland’s Week 9 effort marks the most tackles in a single game by any player in the NFL this season, a performance that has the team’s 2014 third-round draft pick up for NFL Rookie of the Week.

Worth Noting

With running back Marcus Lattimore contemplating retirement, the 49ers signed running back Kendall Hunter to a one-year extension.

What’s Next

A road game against the New Orleans Saints (4-4) on Sunday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT with television coverage on FOX.

Worth A Look

This conversation with 49ers general manager Trent Baalke on the state of the 4-4 49ers.

St. Louis Rams (3-5)

The Result

A 13-10 come-from-behind road win against the San Francisco 49ers (4-4).

What Happened

The Rams defense prevented the 49ers from scoring three times from inside the 2-yard line, recovering a fumble by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the third stop with two seconds to play, holding on to a 13-10 lead … After their slow start to the season, the Rams’ “Sack City” came alive, sacking Kaepernick eight times on the day – two from defensive end Robert Quinn … Rams quarterback Austin Davis completed 13 of his 25 throws for 105 yards – 21 of which went to wideout Kenny Britt for a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter after a forced fumble from Quinn gave the club fortuitous field position … Greg Zuerlein booted the go-ahead field goal from 39 yards out with 5:25 to play

Who’s Hurt

Of the Rams’ 13 players on the injury report heading into Week 9, only cornerback Janoris Jenkins (knee) missed Sunday’s game against the Niners.

Name To Know

James Laurinaitis. The Rams linebacker had the game-clinching fumble recovery for St. Louis, also notching one of the eight sacks of the 49ers’ Kaepernick, an outing that has Laurinaitis up for NFL.com’s Never Say Never Moment of the Week.

Worth Noting

The Rams tallied six sacks in the first half alone, matching their 2014 total coming into the game.

What’s Next

The Rams ready for their third road game in as many weeks, traveling to Arizona for a matchup with the NFC West-leading Cardinals (7-1). Kickoff is slated for 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX.

Worth A Look

What Rams players were thinking shortly after their game-winning goal-line stop.