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Arizona Cardinals Fly Around the NFC West

After a very intense (but fulfilling) week 13, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves atop the NFC West, a three game lead with four left to play. Maybe it was the confidence of our friends over at Niners Nation or maybe it was a product of the damage done to Cardinals fans’ psyches over the years, but many expected the Cardinals and the Niners to fight for first place in the division during the upcoming Monday Night Game. Thankfully, that is not the case. 

San Francisco 49ers: The Niners are coming off one of their worst losses of the year (from a morale standpoint). Coach Mike Singletary came into the season wanting to instill a team mentality and a sense of toughness, and he was initially very successful in doing so. The Niners started 3-1, and came within a Brett Favre Hail Mary of being undefeated after 4 weeks (with 3 division wins), but it went downhill from there. Starting with a drubbing by Atlanta, the Niners went through a 4 game losing streak and ultimately lost 6 of their next 8 games. They are now tied with Seattle for second place in the division, and barring a Cardinals collapse, are out of the playoffs. There is a little optimism now, as many of the Niners faithful are confident that Alex Smith is the quarterback of the future. However, Mike Singletary and the much maligned Jimmy Raye need to find a way to make Smith successful while also incorporating Frank Gore into the offense (Gore has averaged only 10 carries/game over the last three games). The Niners play at home against the Cardinals this week, a game where the Cards are favored by 3.

Star-divide

Seattle Seahawks: It was a very up and down week for the Seattle Seahawks. Long time GM Tim Ruskell resigned from his post, inviting in a plethora of Mike Holmgren rumors. Ruskell inherited a loaded team and added a few Seahawk mainstays, including Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, but much of his reign was marked with draft busts and bad trades. The team itself is coming off a close win against the 49ers and is tied for second place in the division at 5-7. The Seahawks are unexpectedly rebuilding in a year where many thought they would challenge the Cardinals for the division. On the bright side, they have two first round draft picks and if Mike Holmgren decides to come back as general manager, they could rebound quickly. Seattle is travelling to Reliant Stadium this week to take on the most schizophrenic team in the league, the Houston Texans. 

St. Louis Rams: Injuries, injuries, injuries. After Sunday’s game against the Bears, the Rams had to put safety Oshimogho Atogwe on injured reserve, joining starting cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher and Ron Bartell. The Rams placed the franchise tag on Atogwe during the offseason and are shelling out close to $6 million for his services this year. They now have a big decision to make about his future with the team. The Rams are essentially headed for another top five pick, with problems at every offensive position except running back. St. Louis is travelling to Tennessee this week to take on the Tennessee Chris Johnsons, who are coming off their first loss since Vince Young was named the starting quarterback. 

Division Leaders:

New Orleans Saints* (12-0) – (@ATL, DAL, TB, @CAR)

Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – (CIN, @CAR, @CHI, NYG)

Arizona Cardinals (8-4) – (@SF, @DET, STL, GB)

Dallas Cowboys (8-4) – (SD, @NO, @WAS, PHI) (I’m pretty sure the schedule makers were laughing uncontrollably while making Dallas’ December schedule) 

Wild Card:

Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) – (@NYG, SF, DEN, @DAL)

Green Bay Packers (8-4) – (@CHI, @PIT, SEA, @ARI) 

In the Hunt:

New York Giants (7-5) – (PHI, @WAS, CAR, @MIN)

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments  |  Add comment |

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Great job Najmsh

I can see the Cowboys playoff hopes spiraling down the drain in the next month, especially with how Romo plays in December.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Dec 9, 2009 12:56 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

I think Philly is going to take over the NFC East this month.

Dallas will probably wind up with a 9-7 record.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Dec 9, 2009 1:46 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

+1

Shmeagles always plays well late in the season. They are afters the precious.

by badmatty53 on Dec 9, 2009 1:59 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Easy Schedule

The Cardinals have by far the easiest schedule of the seven teams mentioned. I can see another december collapse the Cowboys future. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Matt win a few of those games.

by WeiWuWei on Dec 9, 2009 4:21 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

NO also has a really easy schedule

Matt Ryan’s out this week so Atlanta’s not going to give them any trouble. Their hardest game is Dallas. For us, the Niners always play us tough (but I’m not expecting any problems this week) and GB has something to fight for

by najmsh on Dec 9, 2009 4:27 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Detroit = Trap

When’s the last time we won in Detroit? These are the “gimme” games that always seem to give me ulcers. I hope the Cards jump out and keep Culpepper wishing for retirement again.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 9, 2009 4:59 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Hawk I hope you're kidding

The Lions? Really? No I feel ya. The Cardinals would have to have a major meltdown and I could hear the critics now if they did blow that game.

Good news about the schedule? The Cardinals want revenge on both the 49ers and the Packers, and have two of the worst teams in the league sandwhich’d in between.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Dec 9, 2009 10:53 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

the last time we won in detroit was the last time we played detroit. The Cards started their losing streak which ultimately led to them going 0-16 the following year

That was the first game i ever attended at UofP stadium. We held detroit to -18 rushing yards! The fewest by a team since 1947.

by CardsDefense on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

That was at UoP, exactly

When was the last time we won in Michigan because it certainly hasn’t been at Ford Field yet.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 10, 2009 2:33 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Last time Cards beat Lions in Michigan Barry Sanders rushed for 107 yards...

November 13, 2005: 21 Cardinals @ Lions 29
December 5, 2004: 12 Cardinals @ Lions 26 (John Navarre’s lone pro-start)
September 7, 2003: 24 Cardinals @ Lions 42 (Boldin’s breakout 217 yard rookie game)
Cards beat the Lions at Sun Devil in ’02, ’01, and ’99.
November 1, 1998: 17 Cardinals @ Lions 15

I guess three years in a row losing to Detroit at Ford Field has stuck in my mind…still, I’m not kidding when I say “trap game”. Now back to the task at hand, the San Francisco 49ers…

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 10, 2009 3:58 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

The Rams have problems at RB as well

It’s not Steven Jackson, it’s everyone else — or the lackthereof.

by tw3kr on Dec 10, 2009 1:28 AM MST reply actions   0 recs


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