NFC West Breakdown: Week 9

(Vince Vitale writes for Ramblin’ Fan, which is FSB’s St. Louis Rams blog. Representing the rest of the NFC West are 12th Man Rising, Niner Noise. and Raising Zona.)

Let’s hear it for the Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner who have taken a three game lead in the NFC West with 8 games remaining. The Rams have simmered down under Coach Jim Haslett and have lost two straight. The Seahawks are no longer flying and in San Francisco everyone is talking about pants.

Arizona Cardinals (5-3):

Looking Back:

The Arizona Cardinals traveled to the Edward Jones Dome and physically dominated the St. Louis Rams 34-13. The Cardinals now have an overwhelming 3 game lead in the NFC West. Kurt Warner raised his QB rating to an outstanding 104.2 on the season, and has to be the favorite for NFL MVP at this point in the season.

Looking Forward:

Tim Hightower out of Richmond was a great 5th round selection by the Cardinals. With the lack of run blocking the Cardinals line provides Hightower’s speed gives the Cardinals a better chance at a running attack. The Cardinals play five of their remaining eight games at home. While in St. Louis the Cardinals never won or even hosted a playoff game. Arizona get ready, a home playoff game is heading your way!

St. Louis Rams (2-6):

Looking Back:

Back…back…back…back…GONE. That’s right the St. Louis Rams 2008 season is officially over after an awful 34-13 beating at the hands of The King Ram, Kurt Warner. Warner and the Cardinals shredded the Rams for 510 total yards. This looked like the Scott Linehan led Rams on Sunday.

Looking Forward:

It is simply time to blow it up. From the top down the Rams organization needs new personnel. It is currently so bad for the Rams that Kenneth Darby may be the starting running back this week. Do not look ahead to the New York Jets game, look ahead to who will be your next franchise player. Should it be Michael Oher, Michael Crabtree, Matthew Stafford, or other?

San Francisco 49ers (2-6):

Looking Back:

How bad are the Niners, they spent most of the bye week tracking down the team leak that tattled that Mike Singletary dropped his pants at halftime of the Seahawks game. In addition their only two wins are against Seattle and the woeful Detroit Lions. How the mighty have fallen.

Looking Forward:

The Niners will play the first place Arizona Cardinals on the road this week. This is a good chance for the Niners and new head coach Mike Singletary to work on improving the defense. The Niners are 30th in points allowed and Singletary needs to prove he can turn that side of the ball around if he wants to be a serious head coach candidate. It’s time to make Patrick Willis your cornerstone to build around.

Seattle Seahawks (2-6):

Looking Back:

Well you have to look back 12 drives to find success. The Seahawks scored on their first offensive play of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, a 90 yard touchdown pass from Seneca Wallace to Koren Robinson. The Eagles then smothered the Seahawks who managed only 143 yards of offense after that play and punted on 11 consecutive drives.

Looking Forward:

The Seahawks next 5 games are against Miami, Arizona, Washington, Dallas, and New England. With Matt Hasselbeck and most of the receiving core still missing this is a team that is going to continue to struggle on offense. Seattle is 32nd in passing and 31st in total yards and they may not improve. Hurry back Matt they need you.