NFC West Week 13 Preview & Picks

NFL NFC West Week 13 Preview

The battle for top spot is yet to be decided in the NFC West as we head into Week 13 of the 2010 NFL season.

Before we jump into the previews of this week’s matchups, let’s take a look at some of the divisions more interesting stats.

After going 2-7 entering their bye week the San Francisco 49ers appear to have turned a corner winning two of its last three. A big part of that could be credited to an improvement on the ground on both sides for the ball as the Niners went from 25th to 17th in rushing offense after gaining 261 yards on the ground against Arizona while improving from 15th to eighth in rushing defense after holding the Cardinals to 13 yards on the ground. However, it could all come undone with the recent injury to running back Frank Gore.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks fell two places to dead last in rushing offense. More on that below.

All four NFC West teams rank 26th or lower in points per game, which could help go a long way in explaining why the division is still so knotted up.
Now let’s take a quick look at each NFC West Week 13 match up’s.

SUN, DEC 5, 2010 TIME (ET)

San Francisco at Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX – Green Bay will host what appears to be a resurrected San Francisco 49ers that are coming off a big win over the Cardinals on Monday night.

After beginning the season with five straight losses and a record of just 2-6 before its bye week, San Francisco may have turned the corner going 2-1 in its last three. They are just a game back in the NFC West and are now very much in the hunt for a playoff berth.

The defense has been San Francisco’s upside and has kept them from being routed in many of their games while the offense continues to struggle averaging just 17 points and 320.3 yards per game.

Meanwhile, the Packers continue to roll, but a 20-17 loss to Atlanta last weekend has dropped then to second place in the NFC North, and with the Chicago Bears having beaten them head to head, a win is imperative to their playoff chances.

The Pack defense has played well allowing 15.1 points and 320.7 yards each time out and has kept the offense within striking distance as the teams four losses have come by no more than three points.

You can expect a defensive battle in this one. Green Bay should win this, but should be wary, as the Niners have proven they are team that can surprise you if you’re not careful.

PREDICTION- Green Bay

Carolina at Seattle 4:15 PM FOX – This meeting features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Seahawks are still in contention for a playoff spot while the Panthers have become the league’s new Rams.

The Panthers are now just 1-10 with its lone win coming against San Francisco in Week 7. The team is as bad as its record with some of the worst quarterback play in the league that isn’t helped by the lack of a quality receiver. The running game is mediocre and the defense is middle of the road at best.

As for Seattle, they are riding a two-game losing skid and have been outscored 76-36 in its last two outings. The defense has taken an early vacation while the offense still struggles to find its footing, especially its running game that has been recently posted on the back of a milk carton.

The Seahawks have been on a rollercoaster ride all season. They now have the opportunity to take command of the NFC West with a win over the hapless Panthers, establishing some semblance of a surge before they battle the Niners in Week 15.

Look for a low scoring affair with the home team coming away with the win.

PREDICTION- Seattle

St. Louis at Arizona 4:15 PM FOX –The Rams edged out a close one against the Cards in their first meeting back in Week 1, and are coming off a win at Denver. While St. Louis is surging behind rookie QB Sam Bradford, Arizona is imploding, losing its sixth in a row that ended with QB Derek Anderson’s postgame meltdown.

Arizona was embarrassed on Monday by the 49ers especially the defense that was rocked for 386 yards and 26 first downs, some by way of third and very long. But it wasn’t just the defense that failed to show up, the offense did very little to assist QB Derek Anderson who was spotted on the sidelines late into the game laughing. But it was no laughing matter as the Cardinals finished with just eight first downs, 13 yards rushing, and six points on the board.

In contrast, the Rams continue to improve week after week and have taken over the top spot in the division with a 36-33 win over Denver last Sunday. A big reason for the Rams turnaround is the play Bradford. And while his stats aren’t blowing up all over, the first-year starter has been able to become the leader the team so desperately needed.

Rams running back Stephen Jackson will be the key to extending St Louis’ road streak to two in this one. If the Niners No. 2 back tore up the Cardinals front seven, imagine what Jackson will do.

PREDICTION- St. Louis