NFC WEST MIDSEASON REVISTED

ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Arizona Cardinals finished the first half of the season with a 2-6 record. Here's a look at how they have fared and what's ahead:

First-half rewind: Basically, everything that could go wrong for the Cardinals did. Sam Bradford struggled mightily and was benched leading to Josh Rosen's debut in Week 3. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's play calling was stale and ineffective, which cost him his job after Week 7. Both of Arizona's wins came against an even-worse 49ers team. The 2018 version of David Johnson hasn't looked like the 2016 version. The run defense has been porous. Peterson requested a trade. It took the Cards until Week 8 to get their first home win, the same amount of time it took Larry Fitzgerald to get his first 100-yard game of the season. Steve Wilks' first season as a head coach didn't start well and likely won't get any better with Arizona's schedule getting tougher. 

Grade:  D

Here's How I See The Rest Of The Arizona Cardinals Season Playing Out.

DATE	OPP.	W-L
Nov. 11	at Chiefs	L
Nov. 18	vs. Raiders	W
Nov. 25	at Chargers	L
Dec. 2	at Packers	L
Dec. 9	vs. Lions	W
Dec. 16	at Falcons	W
Dec. 23	vs. Rams	L
Dec. 30	at Seahawks	L

FINAL SEASON RECORD 6-10

What is your team's biggest hole to fill? For the first time in years -- maybe ever -- it's not quarterback. The Cardinals need to find Larry Fitzgerald's successor. He's 35 and playing in his 15th season. There will be speculation that this is Fitzgerald's last year. Even if it's not, the end of his career is coming soon. With their quarterback of the future, Josh Rosen, already playing, the Cardinals need to give him a game-changing primary target and that person isn't on the roster yet.

MVP: How Rosen goes the rest of the season, so will go the Cardinals. Rosen has a chance to turn the second half around, especially under interim offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. During a game-winning drive in Week 8, Rosen showed signs of progressing with big-time throws. He's 2-3 in five starts, giving Arizona both of their wins.

Biggest surprise: David Johnson's lack of productivity. He hasn't looked the same as he did in 2016, when he had 2,118 yards from scrimmage. Through eight games this season, Johnson has 601 yards from scrimmage. Two years ago, at this point, he had 1,112. He has struggled in the run game, but part of it was McCoy's play calling. Johnson has consistently missed open holes and has been a liability in pass protection, but McCoy didn't use Johnson as a receiver like former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians did. That'll change under Leftwich, but whether it leads to more yards for Johnson is still a question mark.

Hurdle to overcome: The Cardinals need to keep Rosen upright and healthy. He has already been sacked 16 times in six games behind an offensive line that's already dealing with a slew of injuries. With Rosen as the team's future at quarterback, the Cardinals can't afford for him to get hurt.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Los Angeles Rams finished the first half of the season with an 8-1 record. Here's a look at how they have fared and what's ahead:

First-half rewind: The Rams lone loss came to the Saints in a shootout. Jared Goff has ascended the quarterback rankings and has proven himself as a leader under second-year coach Sean McVay. Todd Gurley is on a campaign to repeat as the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, if not win the league's Most Valuable Player, as he leads the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. The defense has not looked exactly as the Rams envisioned after an offseason makeover, with cornerback Aqib Talib and outside linebacker Dominique Easley on injured reserve. But Aaron Donald is second in sacks (10) and the defense has come through with several last-minute stops. 

Grade:  A

Here's how I see the rest of the L.A. Rams season playing out.

DATE	OPP.	W-L
Nov. 11	vs. Seahawks	W
Nov. 19	vs. Chiefs	L
Dec. 2	at Lions	W
Dec. 9	at Bears	W
Dec. 16	vs. Eagles	W
Dec. 23	at Cardinals	W
Dec. 30 vs. 49ers W FINAL SEASON RECORD 14-2

What's the biggest factor in the Rams making a deep playoff run? The Rams have played in several close games this season that have come down to the final minutes (Vikings, Broncos, Seahawks, Packers, and Saints). They've won four out of five of those games because of a big play in any of the three phases -- offense, defense and special teams. But as the Rams look to make a deep playoff run, they'll need to put together a more consistent effort through four quarters on offense and defense, and not let the outcome be determined in the final two minutes.

MVP: It's a close call between Goff and Gurley, but Gurley gets the nod. He has scored in 12 consecutive games, and even as opponents key in on slowing him, Gurley has proven to be unstoppable. The multidimensional running back leads the NFL with 868 yards rushing and has a league-high 16 touchdowns. And teammates won't stop talking about his unselfish play and willingness to set a block.

Biggest surprise: When the Rams' schedule was released, it was considered among the most difficult in the NFL and ESPN's Football Power Index projected the Rams would win 9.4 games. Yet, the defending NFC West champions made it through the first eight undefeated, which included victories over the Chargers, Vikings and Packers. And, though their perfect season is no longer a possibility after a loss to the Saints, they're still posed to make a deep playoff run - possibly to the Super Bowl.

Hurdle to overcome: The Rams must play more consistently on defense. At times, they've been susceptible against the run and they've also been vulnerable in allowing explosive pass plays. The defensive linemen have each said they must play assignment football, and trust in their teammates. And, with the addition of edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. at the trade deadline, plus the pending return of Talib from injured reserve, the Rams' pass defense is in for a boost.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The San Francisco 49ers finished the first half of the season with a 2-7 record. Here's a look at how they've fared and what's ahead:

First-half rewind: The hope for a quick turnaround and shot at playoff contention evaporated the moment quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3. It didn't help that they lost starting running back McKinnon to the same injury before the season even began. What's left behind is a roster full of holes and lacking in big-time playmakers capable of finishing out close games with wins. The results have been maddening for players, coaches and fans alike as the Niners have lost twice to the lowly Arizona Cardinals and are 1-4 in games decided by one possession. 

Grade: C

Here's how I see the rest of the San Francisco 49ers season playing out.

DATE	OPP.	W-L
Nov. 12	vs. Giants	W
Nov. 25	at Buccaneers	L
Dec. 2	at Seahawks	L
Dec. 9	vs. Broncos	W
Dec. 16	vs. Seahawks	L
Dec. 23	vs. Bears	L
Dec. 30 at Rams L FINAL SEASON RECORD 4-12

What is the 49ers' biggest hole to fill? Game-changing players. Forget positional needs, this runs deeper. The 49ers' inability to win close games comes down to a lack of players who can turn a game in their favor. They've seen established stars like Larry Fitzgerald, Rodgers and emerging stars like Derwin James do it to them in losses this season. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan recently referred to the need for "closers." Ideally, the Niners can find those closers at particular positions of need like edge rusher, cornerback and wide receiver.

MVP: Tight end George Kittle. In a season with few bright spots, Kittle (41 receptions, 692 yards, three TDs) is emerging as one of the league's best tight ends. The rest of this season will be an important test for Kittle to prove he can stay healthy (an issue that plagued him as a rookie) and to continue to produce even without Garoppolo. If Kittle puts up big numbers with backup quarterbacks C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens, it should create plenty of excitement over what he can do when Garoppolo returns.

Biggest surprise: The effectiveness of the running game. The Niners have many issues but, frankly, none of them could be classified as a surprise. A rushing attack that underwent an offseason makeover has been, especially considering McKinnon didn't play a down before his season ended. When healthy, running back Matt Breida has been dynamic, Raheem Mostert showed some big-play ability but broke his arm against the Raiders, and Morris has been steady. All of that has added up to a running game that ranks second in yards and seventh in yards per carry.

Hurdle to overcome: Takeaway margin. The 49ers have been one of the league's worst teams when it comes to turning the ball over. Compounding matters is the fact that they've been equally bad taking it away from opponents. The Niners have enough of a talent deficit against many teams to overcome without the type of self-inflicted mistakes that have been a hallmark of the early part of the season. It has been better the past two weeks but if it doesn't improve on a consistent basis, the losses will continue to pile up.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Seattle Seahawks finished the first half of the season with a 4-4 record. Here’s a look at how they have fared and what’s ahead:

First-half rewind: Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers put a dent in all the optimism that had built up after the Seahawks rebounded from an 0-2 start to win four of five. That turnaround was sparked by a resurgent running game, efficient play from Russell Wilson and a defense that has been more than competent despite all the firepower it's lost. The Seahawks have been within one score in all four of their losses, and three of them have come against teams (Rams, Bears and Chargers) that are a combined 19-6. They've looked entirely capable of making a run at a wild-card berth, but a .500 record at the midpoint is on par with preseason expectations for the Seahawks after such a significant re-tooling of their roster. 

Grade: B

Here's how I see the rest of the Seattle Seahawks season playing out.

DATE	OPP.	W-L
Nov. 11	at Rams	L
Nov. 15	vs. Packers	W
Nov. 25	at Panthers	L
Dec. 2	vs. 49ers	W
Dec. 10	vs. Vikings	W
Dec. 16	at 49ers	W
Dec. 23	vs. Chiefs	L
Dec. 30 vs. Cardinals W FINAL SEASON RECORD 9-7

What has to happen for your team to make the playoffs? The Seahawks turned things around in the first half by playing exactly the way Pete Carroll prefers -- running the ball, taking care of it and taking it away. During their stretch of four wins in five games, they averaged 161 rushing yards while committing only one turnover and forcing 11. That's a winning formula they need to rediscover over the second half of the season. They were able to run the ball against the Chargers, but Wilson threw a pick-six and the Seahawks finished without a takeaway for the first time this season. They were also penalized 10 times for 83 yards. Penalties have long been a problem for Carroll's Seahawks teams, but this one doesn't have the margin for error that some of its more talented predecessors did.

MVP: Frank Clark has an argument for All-Pro with 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. He's having a career year as he plays out the final season of his rookie contract. But Wilson has been the MVP. Yes, he's actually carrying less of the offense on his shoulders than previously, including last season, when he was in the conversation for league MVP up until the final month. But he's throwing the ball just as well, if not better, even if he's not throwing it nearly as often. Despite being on pace for his fewest passing attempts since 2013, he could top his previous best in touchdowns, 34. And his 108.6 passer rating is better than he's posted in all but one of his first six seasons.

Biggest surprise: First-round pick Rashaad Penny has been a non-factor. He wasn't necessarily expected to beat out Chris Carson for the starting job, but it's been surprising that Penny (42 carries for 146 yards) hasn't earned more opportunities. He's been third on the depth chart behind Carson and Mike Davis, and he didn't get an offensive snap in two of the past four games. Honorable mention for biggest surprise goes to the offensive line, which is thriving under new coach Mike Solari; that group has paved the way for the third-ranked rushing attack and has finally shored up the pass-protection issues that plagued so many of Tom Cable's units.

Hurdle to overcome: A brutal November stretch that started Sunday against the Chargers. It continues with the rematch with the Rams in L.A., followed by a Thursday night game at home against the Green Bay Packers and a cross-country trip to play at the Carolina Panthers. Those next three opponents entered Week 10 with a combined record of 17-7-1. All three have Pro Bowl quarterbacks and the Packers may have the best one in football in Aaron Rodgers. Winning two of three would set the Seahawks up nicely heading into December, but the Green Bay game may be the only one Seattle is favored in.