NFC west

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Last spring, the coaches had doubts Russell Davis could handle the demands of playing nose tackle. They weren't thrilled with his conditioning, and the new job meant a big adjustment in technique from a standard tackle role. But Davis has been a pleasant surprise. He rarely comes out of the game and is leading the team's linemen in tackles despite taking on constant double-teams. But he needs to improve his pass rush.... SS Adrian Wilson is having his best year. He has been excellent against the run but still needs to be better in coverage. He occasionally takes bad angles on plays, causing him to miss tackles or leave receivers open.... LG Reggie Wells is a good athlete, and the club should try to take advantage of that by using him to pull on counters and sweeps. PROBLEM SPOT: With FB James Hodgins out for the season (shoulder), there isn't a strong lead blocker in front of RB Emmitt Smith. It's a problem especially in short-yardage situations. Obafemi Ayanbadejo, the team's only fullback, is a decent blocker and an excellent receiver but isn't a force like Hodgins. The base offense is a three-receiver, one-beck set, but having a powerful fullback would pay dividends.--Kent Somers

ST. LOUIS RAMS

For now, Trev Faulk has replaced former first-round pick Robert Thomas at middle linebacker. Though somewhat limited athletically, Faulk has shown intensity and been physical enough to play on running downs.... SLB Tommy Polley, a free agent after the season, has been up and down and might not fit in the team's plans for '05. That could depend on rookie Brandon Chillar's development in the second half of the season.... CB Travis Fisher is playing solidly after knocking off the rust from missing the first six games with a broken arm. Fisher has good closing speed, plus the agility and flexibility to stay close in coverage.... FS Aeneas Williams, who has been battling a shoulder problem all season, played only at nickel back in the win over Seattle. He might be limited to that role for a while. PROBLEM SPOT: The defense hasn't been making big plays. After leading the NFL in takeaways in 2003, the Rams have nine in nine games. The playmakers haven't produced for a variety of reasons that include injury, age and lack of focus. The lack of takeaways also has kept the offense off the field. Time of possession is down about 3 minutes per game from last season.--Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

OLB Jamie Winborn has played well in the wake of Julian Peterson's season-ending Achilles' injury. Winborn leads the team with five sacks. His speed helps him pursue the ball from sideline to sideline.... RB Kevan Barlow has been a disappointment. He still struggles with blocking and blitz pickups, has fumbled twice and hasn't reached four yards per carry in any game since Week 2. The team believes some of his problems might be the result of ineffective blocking by the offensive line, which has missed C Jeremy Newberry (knee, back). When Newberry returns, Barlow will be under a microscope. Backup RB Maurice Hicks did a solid job last Sunday and will get more work this week. PROBLEM SPOT: No one has emerged from a group of young and inexperienced wideouts to become the go-to guy, and that has made it tough on OBs Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey. TE Eric Johnson is the leading receiver by a wide margin. Brandon Lloyd must be more consistent, and Cedrick Wilson is fast but unpolished. But because coach Dennis Erickson likes to emphasize formations using three and four wideouts, this is a problem that must be solved.--Ira Miller

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

When the Rams' Marshall Faulk rushed for 139 yards Sunday, he became only the third 100-yard rusher this season against Seattle, which had struggled against the run much of the past two seasons. The linemen are controlling the gaps better, and the backs are providing more run support-especially CB Marcus Trufant and SS Terreal Bierria. DT Cedric Woodard is providing the stoutness that was missing the past few seasons.... Veteran RG Chris Gray isn't lauded much, but he gets the job done. He gets overpowered by bigger defensive tackles and continues to have problems with quicker pass rushers, but he compensates with tenacity, mobility and smarts. His ability to pull and get upfield is key to the success of the screen passes that set up the passing game. PROBLEM SPOT: Injuries have crippled the special teams. Seattle is averaging a paltry 6.4 yards returning punts, largely because PR Bobby Engram has missed time with a sprained ankle. Punt coverage has been a problem; the team has allowed 39- and 27-yard returns. Tackling master Alex Bannister (shoulder), a Pro Bowler last year, is out for the season. LBs Isaiah Kacyvenski and Tracy White have been forced to start because of injuries, which has reduced their coverage contributions.--Clare Famsworth

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