Arizona Cardinals: NFC West in action during bye

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals are on the bye this week but the rest of the NFC West is playing

The Arizona Cardinals get to take their bye week this week.  It couldn’t have come at better time. The rest of the NFC West however, they are playing this weekend.

All three of the other NFC West teams play at home.  The Seattle Seahawks don’t have to take the field until Monday night to host the Buffalo Bills.

The San Francisco 49ers will play host Sunday afternoon to the New Orelans Saints.  The Saints are coming off a 25-20 victory over the Seahawks.

The Los Angeles Rams have a date at the Los Angeles Coliseum against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are playing their second straight game against an NFC West opponent.  They defeated the Cardinals last Sunday 33-20.  The Rams are coming off their bye week.

As for the Seahawks, an improved 4-4 Bills team comes calling.  It won’t be a cake walk.  The Seahawks have struggled the past couple of weeks, losing to the Saints last Sunday and tying the Cardinals the week before.

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The Bills need to look no further for inspiration than what the Miami Dolphins were able to do in Seattle on opening weekend.  Despite the Seahawks winning, the Dolphins had a chance to seal the deal late in the game.  Still, this is the Seahawks at home on national television.  I give them the edge 20-14.

The 49ers could be playing Tulane and still be an underdog at home.  They just aren’t very good but even bad teams find ways to victory every once in awhile, I think.  I mean, the Cleveland Browns haven’t figured that out yet but these 49ers are almost as bad.

The Saints are riding high.  Quarterback Drew Brees has been better this season.  The Saints have been in every game. They’ve only scored fewer than 20 points once this season.  That won’t change Sunday.  Give the Saints another win 31-24.

The Rams are coming off rest.  The Panthers though are carrying momentum from easily their best game of 2016 so far in demolishing the Cardinals.

This may be the time the Panthers start turning it on.  The Rams are only playing their third home game in Los Angeles on Sunday (they gave up a home game in LA to play in London).  Look for a Panthers victory 33-13.