2015 NFL Week 3: NFC West Roundup

The NFC West came crashing back to earth in wee 2 following their 3-1 mark in week 1, which included 2-0 outside the division, the NFC West posted a 1-3 record. The divisions lone win came via the division leading Arizona Cardinals against the currently 0-2 Chicago Bears. Each of the other three NFC West teams suffered double digit losses on the road. Let's take a spin around the division to prepare for week 3.

Arizona Cardinals

Last Week: The Cardinals went on the road an laid a whooping on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Carson Palmer was especially efficient, Larry Fitzgerald looked like his old dominant self, and Chris Johnson did enough on the ground to keep the offense balanced.

Major Storylines: The Cardinals are playing about as well as anyone in the NFL right now, a healthy Carson Palmer certainly is the difference maker for this offense. The defense continues to play well. All-Pro guard Mike Iupati may return to the lineup this week, which would provide a bit more pop for the Cardinals ground game.

Up Next: The Cardinals will host the San Francisco 49ers in each teams first divisional game of the season. The Cardinals will be looking to go 3-0 and extend their lead within the NFC West.

San Francisco 49ers

Last Week: The 49ers went on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers offense absolutely steamrolled the retooled 49ers defense. Big Ben and Antonio Brown each had big games. In an attempt to keep up Colin Kaepernick attempted 46 passes, and also carried the ball 9 times. That is certainly not the formula the 49ers coaches have envisioned for success in 2015.

Major Storylines: The 49ers defense surrendered 453 yards to the Steelers offense in week 2. The losses during the offseason certainly showed up in last weeks game. The 49ers defense looked sharp in week 1 against a young Teddy Bridgewater, but against an experienced offense they felt the losses of players like Patrick Willis and Justin Smith.

Up Next: The 49ers will again hit the road, this time to take on the division leading Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals should pose similar problems for the young 49ers defense, with Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald as dangerous a QB/WR duo as there is in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: The Seahawks lost on Sunday Night Football to the Green Bay Packers, in what was a very entertaining game. The Seahawks just couldn't handle the best QB in the NFL, as Aaron Rodgers put on quite a display in leading the Packers to the 10 point victory.

Major Storylines: Kam Chancellor is the story of the season so far for the Seahawks. He decided to end his holdout and return to the Seahawks, without any sort of modifications to his existing contract. It has yet to be determined if the Seahawks will have Chancellor active this week, but his presence will be felt sooner rather than later.

Up Next: The Seahawks will play their first home game of the 2015 season, hosting the Chicago Bears at Century Link. The Bears will likely be without Jay Cutler at QB, which doesn't help a team already likely headed for a top 2016 Draft pick.

St. Louis Rams

Last Week: The Rams followed up their huge week 1 overtime victory, with an absolute egg against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins gashed the Rams repeatedly on the ground, while their own offense was unable to move the ball with any consistency.

Major Storylines: Todd Gurley is the story in St. Louis. He may make his long awaited debut in week 3, but even if he is active expect to see limited use as the Rams have stated time and again they will be easing Gurley into the lineup.

Up Next: The Rams return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have one of, if not THE, most explosive offenses in the NFL. This game will also see LeVeon Bell making his first appearance in the 2015 season. The Rams defense really needs to improve stopping the run, and the team as a whole needs to get closer to even in the Time of Possession battle. The Rams defensive line needs to dominate this game to eliminate big play opportunities for Big Ben and Antonio Brown on the back end.

Let's take a look at the current standings within the NFC West.

The Arizona Cardinals sit in first place within the division, with a pretty good chance to pickup their first division win at home against the 49ers. The season is just barely getting started, but it looks like the NFC West may be a wild race to the finish. Thanks for reading and as always, Go Rams!!!