I got some bad news for you, and no it’s not that the San Francisco 49ers are a bad team that can’t even beat the winless Arizona Cardinals. The Los Angeles Rams won. Again. In Seattle. The NFC West duked it out this weekend with the Niners and Cardinals facing each other and then the aforementioned Rams/Seahawks contest.
It’s not looking good. Let’s look at those standings.
Los Angeles Rams/Seattle Seahawks
For once we are rooting for the Seahawks to slow the Rams down. Shouldn’t be too hard right? They are in Century Link Field after all. Well except that’s forgetting that the Seahawks aren’t very good this year. They put on a huge effort, but the Rams win shootouts and were able to walk out with a 33-31 win.
What was strange is how the Seahawks offensive line held up against the Rams defense. It wasn’t awful (which is saying something), but even if it gave Russell Wilson some time not normally found, it still wasn’t enough.
The Rams win puts them at 5-0 and a padlock on the NFC West for them. They blew out the same Cardinals team (with Sam Bradford at quarterback instead of Josh Rosen) that the 49ers struggled with and have also emerged from a shootout in Seattle to give them a firm hold of the division.
The Seahawks meanwhile remain in second place. Nothing much more to say there other than wonder how Seattle lost at home. They also managed to beat the Cardinals with a last-second field goal in Week 4.
San Francisco 49ers/Arizona Cardinals
We don’t need to go into specifics of this mess. There are two things that are certain after the 49ers’ loss Sunday: The Cardinals are in third place, while the 49ers are in last place. Things can change when the 49ers run into the Rams and Cardinals both to close out the first half of their schedule, but given the product on the field and the laundry list of injuries, it’s not looking too good.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals gained their first win of the season. In an away game. Against the 49ers.
Into Week 6
The Rams will be facing the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in what should be a very interesting game for both defenses on the field. The Seahawks will be staying home heading to London to meet the Oakland Raiders in what could be a very winnable game for the Seahawks. The Cardinals head to Minnesota to face a Vikings team that has just come off a convincing win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers are going to prime time to face the Green Bay Packers. A team that is dealing with injuries and rebuilding issues of their own.
1st: Los Angeles Rams; Next: at Denver Broncos
2nd: Seattle Seahawks; Next: Oakland Raiders (in London)
3rd: Arizona Cardinals; Next: at Minnesota Vikings
4th: San Francisco 49ers; Next: at Green Bay Packers