What to watch in NFC West Sunday with Cardinals on bye week
Nov 16, 2024, 7:10 AM | Updated: 7:17 am
Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball for a touchdown against Boye Mafe #53 of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals are the lone NFC West team on a bye in Week 11, so their fans can keep up on the division race by keeping tabs elsewhere.
Arizona leads the division with a 6-4 record, and the San Francisco 49ers are close behind at 5-4. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are both 4-5.
There is an NFC West matchup this week as the Seahawks visit the 49ers.
The Cardinals have only played two games in the division (2-0), but that will quickly change coming out of the break. They face Seattle twice in three weeks, while their regular season ends with matchups against L.A. in Week 17 and San Francisco in Week 18.
With the Cardinals off, here are what the other three division foes are up to in Week 11:
NFC West schedule with Cardinals on bye
Rams at Patriots, Sunday, 11 a.m. MST
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The Rams snapped a three-game winning streak on Monday Night Football with a 23-15 loss to the Dolphins. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked four times.
L.A.’s offensive line has been banged up, but Stafford’s weapons are healthy, which has made a big difference in the team’s turnaround after a 1-4 start. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combined for 16 catches and 178 yards last week.
They travel east to the 3-7 Patriots, who despite an ugly record have held their past three opponents to less than 23 points. They beat the Chicago Bears 19-3 last week after sacking Caleb Williams nine times.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has presented a new dynamic to the New England offense with a big arm and the ability to run, although he is only five starts into his career.
He will face a Rams pass rush with the second-highest quarterback pressure rate at 41%.
The Rams are 4.5-point favorites, via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Seahawks at 49ers, Sunday, 2:05 p.m. MST
The 49ers have an opportunity to sweep Seattle after beating the Seahawks 36-24 on Oct. 10.
Niners quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and receiver Deebo Samuel gained 102 receiving yards with a touchdown. San Francisco’s defense picked quarterback Geno Smith off twice and forced a fumble to hand Seattle its third straight loss.
San Francisco has won its last six games against Seattle, which is its longest winning streak in the rivalry.
The Seahawks have the boost of getting star receiver DK Metcalf back from an MCL sprain that held him out for two games. They are also coming off the bye week.
San Francisco star running back Christian McCaffrey will play in his second game of the season off injured reserve after he gained 39 rushing yards and 68 receiving yards in a win over the Buccaneers last week.
The 49ers can match the Cardinals’ record with their third straight win, although Arizona would remain atop the standings via head-to-head.
San Francisco is a 6.5-point favorite at home.
