Week 4 of the 2011 NFL season was another week of disappointment for most of the NFC West. The division went 1-3, but the one win was pretty impressive. The San Francisco 49ers, despite allowing video game numbers to Michael Vick, rallied from being down 23-3 to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-23. Vick threw for over 400 yards and ran for 75, but the Philly defense allowed Alex Smith and Frank Gore to do whatever they wanted.
The Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams all lost, but by a combined 13 points. Arizona gave up a 10 point fourth quarter lead. Seattle rallied from down 27-7 to fall short, losing 30-28 to the Atlanta Falcons. The Rams fell behind 17-0 and ended up on the wrong end of a 17-10 loss to the Washington Redskins.
With the win, the Niners have a two-game lead in the West at 3-1. The Cardinals and Seahawks are now both 1-3, while the Rams -- the favorite to win the division this year -- are still winless at 0-4/
Catch the reactions to the games after the break, as noted by our NFL team blogs.
New York Giants 31, Arizona Cardinals 27: Postgame Reactions And Quotes - Revenge of the Birds
When a team is up by 10 points with about five minutes to go, especially at home, you are expected to win the game. That goes without saying. But it also makes it worse that the Cardinals were already riding the back of Beanie Wells, who had a spectacular day. Continuing to do so would only seem to be the easy way to go to chew up yards and clock simultaneously. That didn't happen and the defense fell apart. Add in there a questionable call that could have changed the game, and you have the recipe for another heart-stomping loss.
Seahawks Dispatched By Falcons - Quick Reactions - Field Gulls
The Seahawks lost to the Falcons 30-28 today but I found myself having real, legitimate fun for the first time this season. Why? Because the Seahawks looked like a real, legitimate NFL American Rules Football Team this week.
Recap: Bradford Brutalized 7 Times As Rams Drop To 0-4 - Turf Show Times
The St. Louis Rams made a pretty strong case today as the worst team in the league. Desperate for win, the Rams started lifeless and ended flat. Sam Bradford was sacked seven times, the team drew ten flags and dropped more than five balls. A handful of fans who braved the Ed Jones Dome for the game showered the home team with boos and sarcastic claps. The week ahead will be a stormy for the Rams coaching staff and front office.
49ers 24, Eagles 23: 49ers Offensive Line Better, So Is Frank Gore - Niners Nation
Frank Gore is certainly not done - not by a long shot. His first run of the day was for forty yards, and his touchdown in the fourth quarter gave the 49ers the lead they needed to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. What I saw was a guy who hit the line well and lacked top-end speed, which is pretty much indicative of what we all expect from him at this point. There was a time or two when I felt like he looked a little slow, but that's what happens when you're nursing an ankle injury.