All four NFC West teams were in action on Sunday in inter-divisional play. The rankings underwent a bit of a shake-up, but not as much as they could have, considering the results of the day. The top 2 teams in the division — the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals — both lost yesterday, leaving the door wide open.
The Seattle Seahawks went to the Bay Area to take on the Oakland Raiders and left with a solid whipping. The Raiders used a strong effort by the defense to shut down Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks en route to a 33-3 win. Jason Campbell threw for over 300 yards and Darrius Heyward-Bey had a monster receiving day.
The St. Louis Rams, on the back of a win over the Carolina Panthers, moved to 4-4 and into second place in the NFC West, one game behind the Seattle Seahawks. Sam Bradford continues to mature every game, throwing for 191 yards and two touchdowns while limiting his mistakes. The Rams, a surprise in the NFC West this year, have a bye next week.
The Arizona Cardinals had too many costly turnovers and let a familiar face in the Northwest — former Oregon Duck Legarrette Blount — run all over them in a 38-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Max Hall threw two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns, before he was replaced by Derek Anderson, who also threw two interception.
The San Fransisco 49ers also pulled out a win in London yesterday, finally moving past one win and beginning their slow climb out of the basement. Frank Gore had over 100 yards on the ground and Michael Crabtree added the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. The Niners, like the Cardinals, are on a bye next week.