Separation Sunday?

Week 3 looks as important for standings in the NFC West as much as the third game of the season possibly could. All four teams in the division—the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks—have not yet lost to an outside opponent. Seattle is the only team with a mark in the losing column of their record, and they were edged out by the 49ers.

Which teams can continue their strong starts and begin to separate from the pack? We will have answers in a matter of hours.

It’s Separation Sunday.

Rams at Eagles (10am PT)

The Philadelphia Eagles deserve rightful credit as the defending Super Bowl champs. I’m not sold that they are as loaded as they were last year, despite their 2-0 start to the year.

I think we will back in a couple of months and realize their close wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs as an indication they were closer to mediocre than elite. The Rams have an opportunity to show the cracks in their armor on Sunday, and I think LA’s resume of wins over the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans is stronger.

But in all honesty, neither team is player up to their potential. The Rams have injuries along the interior of their offensive line and they haven’t got the running game off the ground. LA lost Ahkello Witherspoon last week—who is out for an extended period of time—and they could have used his size against the Eagles and AJ Brown.

Even though the Eagles’ passing attack looks anemic, a win by the Rams still inserts them atop the NFC conference along with the Green Bay Packers.

Saints at Seahawks (1:05 PT)

If the Seahawks want to be in the running for the division, this game against New Orleans is not one you can afford to lose. That’s easier said than done because QB Spencer Rattler has been better than expected and the Saints are still littered with talented veterans across their roster. But two other NFC West rivals have taken down New Orleans (49ers, Cardinals) and Seattle must win to keep pace.

At this point in time, I think the Seahawks are better than the 49ers despite losing to San Francisco in Week 1. Brock Purdy’s game-winning pass should have been a game-changing interception for Seattle. Instead, his TE bailed him out to seal the outcome.

Cardinals at 49ers (1:25 PT)

Are the Cardinals for real? We could have our first answer this afternoon if they take down the 49ers.

Kyler Murray is, simply put, one of the most electric players in all the NFL. He’s had his shining moments, though he is still struggling to connect with second-year receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. Harrison excels at intermediate routes over the middle of the field—or at least he did in college—and this is an area of weakness for the veteran quarterback. Still, Arizona spent this offseason adding premium talent to what was previously a defensive wasteland, and this unit is looking much improved.

San Francisco has their own fair share of problems. While Purdy practiced this week, he’s unlikely to play and Mac Jones will probably start for the second consecutive game. The 49ers’ defense looked better in Week 2 against the Saints, though I’m not sold on their defensive rookies they spent early picks on. Can the 49ers generate consistent pass rush and keep Murray under wraps?

The Rams have a tough matchup in Week 3. It’s very realistic LA falls to 2-1.

Whoever wins this game will either be in the driver’s seat of the division or could be tied with the Rams in a class of two.

That’s about as high as stakes as you’ll see in Week 3.