NFC west

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Coaches have been encouraged by the development of RG Jeremy Bridges, acquired off waivers at the end of training camp. Bridges, who started the past two games, is raw, but he is athletic and comes off the ball well.... Duello Stacks is the team's best cover cornerback, the only one who has the speed to match up with elite receivers. He's also a decent tackler for his size (5-10, 174). OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Coach Dennis Green promised to draw a new game plan in the off-week--coaches studied how to generate more big plays--but problems were still evident last week. The line has trouble opening holes, and RB Emmitt Smith doesn't have the burst he used to, although he is still good enough for the team to have an effective running game. The biggest problem is in the passing game. QB Josh McCown is improving, but he has missed WR Anquan Boldin (knee). The club has found success with a three-receiver set, but the lack of a big, bruising fullback limits the team's options.--Kent Seiners

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Each week, it's becoming increasingly evident how much the Rams miss the pass-blocking skills of RT Ryle Turiey, who's on injured reserve (back). His replacement, Grant Williams, is a tenacious, high-effort player. But Williams is limited athletically.... The Rams are blitzing more under new coordinator Larry Marmie, but so far without much effectiveness. Many of the blitzes don't appear to be well-timed or well-disguised.... OLB Tommy rolley sometimes flashes Pro Bowl potential. At other times, he looks uninterested. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Mike Martz has tried to run the ball more. At times, RB Steven Jackson splits time with Marshall Faulk, providing more of a power element to Faulk's quickness and elusiveness. Occasionally, Faulk and Jackson are deployed together. Still, the Rams like to take chances and throw downfield. The problem is knowing when to take chances and when to check down or throw the ball away.--Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Although he doesn't figure to lose his starting job, RB Kevan Barlow's performance has been lackluster. He's frustrated by the make-shift line's inability to make consistent holes, and he hasn't helped himself at times by abandoning plays. He's played most of the season with a sprained shoulder, which might explain why he has lost some of his trademark aggressiveness.... Rookie WR Rashaun Woods has fallen to fifth on the depth chart behind Arnaz Battle, whose open-field ability has put him ahead of Woods. Woods needs to convince coaches in practice he has learned the routes. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Instead of running well to set up the passing game, things have gone the opposite direction. Though the team has an unheralded wideout unit, QB Tim Rattay's accuracy and ability to seize on soft defenses have brought the passing game to life. That has led to more room for the running game, which misses the blocking of C Jeremy Newberry. Still, this offense is underachieving.--Cam Inman

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SLB Chad Brown, who broke his leg in August, will play Sunday against Carolina. Brown's return could lessen the impact of losing DE Grant Wistrom (knee) and LB Anthony Simmons (shoulder). Brown could replace Wistrom as the pass-rushing right end in the nickel. Brown also brings the big-play potential at linebacker that was lost when Simmons went down.... WR Jerry Rice allows the team to use more four-wide receiver sets. Before Rice arrived, coach Mike Holmgran had used the alignment roughly five times a game. Last week, the Seahawks used the formation 11 times. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The potential for a potent offense is there. But as always seems to be the case early in the season with the Seahawks' rhythm passing game, inconsistency and mental mistakes have been a problem. This is most evident in the red zone. The coaches' response was to limit the number of plays used in the red zone and feature those that have worked best in the past.--Clare Farnsworth

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