- In the NFC West Report, we keep you covered on the San Francisco 49ers divisional rivals.*
The 49ers fell to the rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 29-13, to fall to 3-7 on the season. Elsewhere in the division, the pacesetters pulled out a dramatic win on "Sunday Night Football."
Here's what's happening around the NFC West as the 49ers begin Week 12.
Arizona Cardinals (8-2)
Week 11:34-31 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Notes:After falling into a two-touchdown hole to start the game, the Cardinals ran off 28 straight points with a heavy dose of Carson Palmer and his band of unlikely heroes. Arizona's four touchdowns on Sunday were scored by players from UC Irvine (Darren Fells), Alabama Birmingham (J.J. Nelson), Pittsburgh State (John Brown) and Northern Iowa (David Johnson).
Still, the Bengals managed to tie the game late in the fourth quarter at 31 apiece. With a little more than a minute remaining on the clock, however, Arizona marched down the field for a game-winning, 32-yard field goal. Palmer threw two interceptions, but the MVP candidate completed 20-of-31 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns. Palmer has eclipsed the 300-yard mark in seven of 10 games this season.
The Cardinals defense sacked Andy Dalton four times, including one by rookie Markus Golden that resulted in a fumble and turnover. Arizona is ranked in the top three in both total defense (third) and offense (second).
Week 12:Arizona visits the San Francisco 49ers (3-7) on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
Week 11:29-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Notes:The Seahawks scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions on Sunday. San Francisco closed the gap to 10 points midway through the third quarter, but Seattle put the game away with a 31-yard touchdown Thomas Rawls catch from Russell Wilson early in the fourth.
Rawls got the start with Marshawn Lynch inactive due to an abdomen injury. The undrafted rookie from Central Michigan ended up rushing 30 times for 209 yards – the most ever allowed by the 49ers. He also ran for a touchdown and caught three passes for 46 yards. The huge output came in Rawls' fourth start of the year. He previously had rushed for 104 yards against the Chicago Bears and 169 yards against the Bengals.
By holding San Francisco to 309 yards of total offense, the Seahawks now rank second in the NFL in total defense. Bobby Wagner led the team with eight tackles.
Week 12:Seattle hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) on Sunday.
St. Louis Rams (4-6)
Week 11:16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Notes:The Rams dropped their third consecutive game on Sunday, this time with Case Kneenum under center in favor of the benched Nick Foles. The backup quarterback finished his day completing 12-of-26 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown. Keenum hurt the team with a fumble late in the fourth quarter to set up Baltimore's game-winning field goal. St. Louis turned the ball over four times in the game and amassed just 213 total yards of offense.
Todd Gurley got 25 touches and totaled 66 yards plus a fumble and a touchdown, his sixth in St. Louis' last five games. Second-year defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to perform at an elite level. Against the Ravens, Donald recorded 10 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
The Rams boast the 10th-ranked defense in the NFL, but their offense is last in passing and 31st in scoring.
Week 12:St. Louis visits the Cincinnati Bengals (8-2) on Sunday.
