Cardinals shock Rams in L.A. upset thriller: NFC West roundup

The Arizona Cardinals went on the road and dealt the Los Angeles Rams an 18-16 loss, a result CBS Sports describes as the biggest upset of the season so far. In a divisional showdown that carried real weight in the NFC West, Arizona pulled even with Los Angeles at 2-4 and injected new life into a race that had seemed to tilt the Rams’ way for second place.

Rams’ late-game meltdown, Cardinals back in the mix

CBS Sports characterizes the Rams’ performance as a meltdown, noting that Los Angeles now has a “whole host of issues” after dropping to 2-4. A game many expected them to control at home instead exposed more questions than answers and cost them a chance to keep closer pace with the Seattle Seahawks, who sit at 3-3.

For the Cardinals, this road win changes the tone of their season. They remain tied at the bottom of the NFC West, but closing the gap on Seattle and beating a divisional rival on its own field gives Arizona something to build on as the schedule moves into its middle stretch.

Grupe hurt in debut as Rams’ special teams take a hit

On top of the loss, the Rams saw their new kicker go down. According to CBS Sports, Blake Grupe was doubtful to return after suffering a knee injury while making a tackle on a kickoff in his Los Angeles debut. There is no further word yet on his status, but the injury adds another concern for a team already wrestling with broader problems.

49ers cruising, Seahawks in the middle of the pack

While the Cardinals and Rams are locked at 2-4, the San Francisco 49ers remain firmly in control of the NFC West at 5-0. Seattle sits squarely in the middle at 3-3. For now, the real battle is behind the 49ers, with three teams still searching for their footing as the season starts to turn toward its second half.