GLENDALE, Ariz. – At the NFL's quarter pole – give or take a game because of some byes – it seems no team wants to win the NFC West.
The 49ers? They had a chance to stand on top of the hill Sunday against the NFL's Evil Empire, the Patriots. The 49ers (2-3) could not keep pace.
The Seahawks (1-3) appeared to be coming back to life until they walked into the Meadowlands. The Giants made them look more like an expansion team than a playoff contender.
Don't even consider the Rams (0-4), who had a bye Sunday. They rival the Raiders for dysfunction after benching two quarterbacks and firing a coach in the past 10 days.
That means the NFC West is the Cardinals' for the taking. The annual trendy pick of the division finally might live up to expectations.
At times during their 41-17 victory over the previously unbeaten Bills, the Cardinals (3-2) marched down the field like a well-oiled machine. Yet, just last week Brett Favre made Arizona's secondary look porous.
For now, Arizona is the division's best team by virtue of having a winning record. If the team that clobbered the Bills shows up most weeks – and not the one that looked silly against the Jets – the Cardinals can run away from the hapless NFC West.
What to watch
NFL: Minnesota at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m., ESPN If the Vikings don't win, their playoff hopes may be done.
What to do
Tennis: Sacramento Challenger at Sutter Lawn Tennis Club, 10 a.m., 6 p.m. Sacramento's only annual pro tennis tournament begins with two sessions today.
What to surf
www.sutterlawn.com This is the host site of the Challenger tournament. It has ticket information and more.
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