The action in Week 11 showed that the NFC West division is still competitive, even with the Seattle Seahawks pulling away from the pack. The Seahawks extended their lead over the division by dismantling the Minnesota Vikings, 41-20, but there is another team making waves out west. The Arizona Cardinals continue to quietly creep up the divisional standings with yet another win, this time in a 27-14 thrashing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers dropped a tough game against the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. The 49ers did a great job containing the Saints’ high-octane offense, but they still lost a 23-20 nail-biter. The St. Louis Rams had a bye week.
Team Notes:
- Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson connected with nine different receivers for a total of 230 passing yards and two touchdowns. The big story of the day was the return of Percy Harvin against his former team. Harvin’s return was anti-climactic as he had only one reception for 17 yards. Zach Miller and Doug Baldwin contributed the most to Wilson’s success, combining for 132 receiving yards and one touchdown. Marshawn Lynch found the end zone three times; twice on the ground and once on a six-yard touchdown pass. Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Kam Chancellor each had nine tackles. Walter Thurmond returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown.
- Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer had his best game of the season, acquiring a whopping total of 419 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Floyd reeled in six catches for 193 yards and one touchdown. Larry Fitzgerald also snagged six receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown. Jerraud Powers and Yeremiah Bell each had an interception and combined for 11 tackles. Jaguars’ defender Jason Babin ripped the Cardinals’ Andre Ellington’s dreadlocks off his head.
- San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick still cannot find a consistent rhythm in the 49ers’ offensive scheme; he passed for only 127 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The ground game also struggled against the formidable Saints defensive front, limiting them to a total of 81 rushing yards. Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis each caught a touchdown pass and combined for 89 receiving yards. NaVorro Bowman racked up 15 tackles to lead the 49ers’ defense.
Standings (Week 11 Opponent)
Seattle Seahawks 10-1 (vs. Vikings)
San Francisco 49ers 6-4 (vs. Saints)
Arizona Cardinals 6-4 (vs. Jaguars)
St. Louis Rams 4-6 (bye)
SOURCE: ESPN Box Score
IMAGE: Stephen Morton
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