Updated NFC West standings: Seattle Seahawks climb up a spot ahead of Week 4
By Jake Luppino
The Seattle Seahawks have pieced together back-to-back impressive performances. After beating Detroit in Week 2 on the road, they returned home and did what they were supposed to do against an inferior Panthers team. Dealing with a banged-up offensive line, it's been surprising to see the success Kenneth Walker III has had. However, it is a sign of good things to come as this team is only going to get healthier as well as the young core continually growing as the season progresses.
Speaking of impressive performances, how about the Arizona Cardinals? Last week I did mention that this early in the season, teams are susceptible to upsets. While I didn't foresee Arizona punching Dallas in the mouth and getting away with it, I did expect Los Angeles to reveal their true selves. A lackluster performance on Monday Night filled with poor offensive line play and questionable coaching decisions might be a rude awakening for what's to come in Los Angeles.
As for the reigning NFC West champions, the San Francisco 49ers remain one of the few unbeaten teams in the league. Although, they didn't look as good and dominant as they did in the first two weeks. To be quite frank, they were in a one-score game in the 4th quarter against a Giants team that was missing their star left tackle and best offensive player in Saquon Barkely. However, in this league, it's not about how you win. It just matters that you do win.
Seattle Seahawks moving up NFC West standings after Week 3
This week will commence the quarter mark of the 2023 regular season. A time in which teams begin to forge an identity. A time for assessment and a point of direction as to where this season could be heading.
Will Brock Purdy ever lose as a starter? He is undefeated in games he's started and finished, leaving people continuously waiting for him to slip up. While I anticipate some bumps in the road coming up on this schedule, I do see San Francisco winning easily against Arizona this weekend. Even though I counted out Arizona last week, this is not going to be like their matchup against Dallas. San Francisco is not going to overlook a divisional opponent. More importantly, their defense has been stout and Arizona will not be able to run the ball against them.
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Surprisingly, the Seattle Seahawks' run defense has been excellent this year. More importantly, they are getting healthy. The return of Jamal Adams should be taking place on Monday Night at MetLife Stadium. Despite the injuries to Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, the Seahawks offense has still been able to galvanize around the rushing attack. But, Seattle can't come into this game riding too much of a high. The Giants are also getting healthier and need this win way more than the Seahawks.
Week 4 Matchup: @ New York Giants (1-2)
The inexperience of this Rams team is going to eventually catch up to them. Monday Night against Cincinnati was a very winnable game for Los Angeles, especially given the condition of Joe Burrow. But, the truth is, even with a hurdled Burrow, the Rams were still the inferior team. They certainly have nice pieces to build around. However, the Week 1 win over the Seahawks has been greatly exaggerated in projecting what the Rams could be this season.
Week 4 Matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
I have to admit, the Arizona Cardinals have been better than expected. Entering the year, we knew they didn't have much talent given the fact that Kyler Murray is rehabbing from a torn ACL. Yet, we overlooked the culture that is being instilled by Jonathan Gannon. This team plays extremely hard. As crazy as this may sound, you can make an argument that the Cardinals could be 3-0, or more likely, 2-1. Nonetheless, impressive start for this team that needed a massive shift in culture based on the previous general manager and coaching regime.