NFC West Round-Up; Showdown in the Desert Tonight
Bradford and the Rams had no answer for the Pats in London yesterday.
St. Louis and Seattle both took it on the chin yesterday which now means that a win by San Francisco tonight over Arizona give the Niners more clearance in the NFC West and a pretty firm grasp of the potential title in just week eight. Monday Night Football however can make for some strange things, especially in the Arizona where you could certainly get verification from former coach Dennis Green.
First, a review of yesterday’s action in the NFC West…
New England 45 at St. Louis 7 (London, England) – This actually looked like a game as the Rams and Pats were tied at 7-7 early on but then New England and Tom Brady went on to score on their next four straight possessions on their way to the route in London’s Wembley Stadium. Besides Brady’s four TD passes on the afternoon, tight end Rob Gronkowski was a monster catching eight balls for 146 yards and two scores. The Rams had no answer for him or anyone else for that matter on the New England offense.
Sam Bradford was 22 of 30 for 205 yards and a TD and a pick. Nice numbers, but with little help and being way behind, there wasn’t much that he could do. The Rams gave up almost 500 yards of offense as Pats’ RB Stevan Ridley ran for 127 yards on 15 carries and added a score. The Rams had been playing some competitive ball to start the season but seem to be struggling on both sides of the ball now and must get it addressed immediately.
Wilson and the Seahawks were beaten in the final minute at Detroit yesterday.
Seattle 24 at Detroit 28 – The Seahawks led most of the way, but couldn’t contain the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford who accounted for four touchdowns for Detroit in a huge, season-saving win for the team. Seattle QB Russell Wilson was 25 of 35 for 236 yards with two TDs and one pick. Marshawn Lynch went over the 100-yard mark with 105 on 12 carries but most of that came on a 77-yard burst in the first quarter.
Stafford’s 3rd and goal touchdown pass to Titus Young with :20 remaining was the difference. Overall, Stafford was 34 of 49 for 352 yards and three touchdowns along with a pick. The bigger issue for Seattle was defense overall and for a defense ranked as high as they are, you can’t give up a game-winning drive like that and expect to be called ‘dominant.’ The Seattle running game was pretty much held in check with the exception of Lynch’s one long touchdown run. Seattle has to be hoping for an Arizona win tonight in order to keep the 49ers close in the standings.
Tonight’s Action
 San Francisco (-7) at Arizona – This Monday night match-up offers potentially the same type of game the Niners saw with Seattle in their last game. The Cardinals defense is very improved and gave up barely 200 yards to the Vikings last Sunday yet still lost 21-14. The issue as it has been since Kurt Warner left is the offense where John Skelton will once again get the start with Kevin Kolb sidelined with a rib injury. For the Niners, the plan is simple. Run Frank Gore and then run Frank Gore some more and just let Alex Smith manage the game and not feel like he has to win it. Arizona will obviously load up and force Smith to throw as much as possible but with the speed the Niners have at receiver, that could backfire.
This game is huge for the Cards who, like the Rams, cannot afford to fall any further behind a front-runner like the Niners. I haven’t been overly impressed with San Francisco since their dismantling of the Jets in New York but I think they’ll find a way to win but it will be by less than seven.
