NFC West games to watch with Cardinals on bye this weekend

On By Littum

The Arizona Cardinals are the lone NFC West team on a bye in Week 11, so their fans can keep up with the division race by tuning in elsewhere.

Arizona leads the division with a 6-4 record and the San Francisco 49ers are close at 5-4. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are both 4-5.

There is an NFC West matchup this week as the Seahawks visit the 49ers.

The Cardinals have only played two games in the division (2-0), but that changes quickly after the break. They face Seattle twice in three weeks, while their regular season ends with matchups against LA in Week 17 and San Francisco in Week 18.

With the Cardinals off, here’s what the other three division foes are up to in Week 11:

NFC West schedule with Cardinals on bye

Rams at Patriots, Sunday at 11 MST

The Rams snapped a three-game winning streak on Monday Night Football with a 23-15 loss to the Dolphins. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked four times.

LA’s offensive line has been beat up, but Stafford’s weapons are healthy, which has made a big difference in the team’s turnaround after a 1-4 start. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combined for 16 catches and 178 yards last week.

They travel east to the 3-7 Patriots, who despite an ugly record, have held their last three opponents to less than 23 points. They beat the Chicago Bears 19-3 last week after sacking Caleb Williams nine times.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has introduced a new dynamic to the New England offense with a big arm and the ability to run despite being just five starts into his career.

He will face a Rams pass rush with the second highest quarterback pressure rate at 41%.

The Rams are 4.5-point favorites, via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Seahawks at 49ers, Sunday, 2:05 PM MST

The 49ers have an opportunity to sweep Seattle after beating the Seahawks 36-24 on Oct. 10.

Niners quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and receiver Deebo Samuel had 102 receiving yards with one touchdown. San Francisco’s defense picked off quarterback Geno Smith twice and forced a fumble to hand Seattle its third straight loss.

San Francisco has won its last six games against Seattle, its longest streak in the rivalry.

The Seahawks have boosted by getting star receiver DK Metcalf back from an MCL sprain that kept him out for two games. They also get time off during the bye week.

San Francisco star running back Christian McCaffrey will play in his second game of the season off injured reserve after he had 39 rushing yards and 68 receiving yards in a win over the Buccaneers last week.

The 49ers can match the Cardinals’ record with their third straight win, though Arizona would remain atop the standings via the head-to-head.

San Francisco is a 6.5 point favorite at home.