The NFL regular season is in full swing now and who would have though that after the first three weeks, our own beloved Cardinals would be sitting atop the rankings of the NFC West? The Cardinals manhandled the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, holding them to just two field goals and winning 27-6.
As for the two other NFC West teams that played (the Seahawks take on the Packers tonight for Monday Night Football), they both lost their games in a somewhat convincing fashion. Get the news and some thoughts from me after the jump.
The surprise of the afternoon came with the San Francisco 49ers, regarded by many as the best team in the NFL, being handed their first loss of the season by the Minnesota Vikings. Sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder dominated the '9ers, scoring three touchdowns for his team. I have always thought the Vikings were, much like the Seahawks, drastically better at home than they are on the road. Look for that to be an interesting game when the Cardinals go north in week 7.
The Rams continued their losing ways, dropping to 1-2 after losing to the Bears. Nothing Chicago did looked overly impressive, but the Rams are just that bad. Steven Jackson is ailing, but he is still a monster on the field. I still think St. Louis has some nice building blocks that they can move with going forward.
Arizona's win, to me, wasn't all that surprising, but it was how they did it that shocked me a bit. They held the league's number one offense to 6 points and won in a convincing way. This team is the real deal. Kevin Kolb looked great as well and I think he is finally coming in to his own. I think he retains the starting job, even when John Skelton returns.
Tonight's matchup between the Packers and the Seahawks should be an interesting one. Although I believe Green Bay to be the better team, never underestimate the power of the 12th man at the CLink. Russell Wilson will be going up against a tremendous pass rush and an improved secondary, though, so it will be a tough game.
The Seahawks and Rams will square off for the first time in 2012 next weekend, so that will be a game with huge implications in St. Louis. The 49ers will look to bounce back, but they have another tough game ahead of them with a date with the Jets. The Cardinals have perhaps the easiest matchup of the week, hosting the Miami Dolphins.
It's all shaping up in the Cardinals' favor so far, but as we know with the Cardiac Cards, this thing isn't over till it's over.
We invite you to follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and like us on Facebook. Also, follow me on Twitter at @TylerNickelASU.