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NFL rosters turn over quickly. It's no shock to see a team's draft class disperse after five or six years.

Sometimes it takes a special player to thrive through injuries, coaching changes, temptations and other issues that can send a promising career in the wrong direction.

Calais Campbell is looking like that type of player. He has stayed relatively healthy, succeeded despite multiple changes in coordinators and commanded a lucrative second contract from the Arizona Cardinals.

Campbell, still only 25, is the longest-tenured second-round draft choice remaining with his original NFC West team. That seems difficult to believe, but much has changed since the Cardinals made Campbell the 50th overall choice in the 2008 NFL draft. Every other team in the division has changed head coaches multiple times. Those changes negatively affected quite a few players.

The chart shows NFC West second-round choices since 2007, excluding the class selected last month. Shading indicates players no longer with their original teams.

Eight of the 10 drafted from 2009 to 2011 remain with their teams. Taylor Mays and Cody Brown are the exceptions. Campbell is the lone second-round survivor among seven taken during the 2007-2008 drafts.

I've singled out five second-rounders to watch in the division:

• Colin Kaepernick, 49ers: Alex Smith projects as the starter for this season, but his contract provides flexibility for the team. Kaepernick could get a chance this season if Smith struggles or fails to remain healthy enough to start all 16 games for a second consecutive season.
• Ryan Williams, Cardinals: Williams spent much of his offseason at team headquarters rehabbing a serious knee injury. The team remains cautiously optimistic that Williams can become a game-breaking back. Coaches and scouts loved what they saw from him before the injury.
• Golden Tate, Seahawks: Tate started five games and dropped no passes last season. The Seahawks think Tate might be turning a corner after a rough start to his career. This is a pivotal season for Tate.
• Rodger Saffold, Rams: Saffold quickly emerged as the Rams' starting left tackle, showing promise as a rookie. His second season wasn't as smooth. A pectoral injury suffered while lifting weights required surgery. Saffold looks like a long-term starter even if it means sliding to guard at some point in the future.
• Lance Kendricks, Rams: Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a big supporter in the Rams' decision to draft Kendricks. McDaniels is gone. Kendricks remains in the Rams' plans, by all appearances. He was inconsistent as a rookie and still must find his bearings.

St. Louis and Arizona each used five second-round choices from 2007 to 2011. Seattle used four. San Francisco used three and has gotten relatively little from those selections, pending Kaepernick's potential emergence as the starting quarterback at some point in the future.

The Rams have gotten 118 starts from their five second-round choices during the five years in question. The Seahawks have gotten 99 starts, the Cardinals 74 starts and the 49ers 44 starts. Teams with weaker rosters and/or additional second-round choices would generally have larger totals.

The chart shows starts made only for the teams that selected each player. Some players have made additional starts for other teams.

The Seattle Seahawks have continually churned their roster along the offensive line, finding starter Breno Giacomini and other contributors that way.

Alex Barron becomes the latest addition after the Seahawks announced agreeing to terms with the veteran first-round choice Tuesday.

Barron, chosen 19th overall by St. Louis in 2005, generally impressed while working against rookies during Seattle's recent minicamp. He was inconsistent and prone to penalties with St. Louis. The Rams traded him to Dallas. Barron spent last season on injured reserve with New Orleans.

I'll resist the temptation to dismiss Barron's signing given Seattle's ability to run the ball last season with a patched-together offensive line. For example, Paul McQuistan was at left tackle last season when the Seahawks ended San Francisco's 36-game streak of allowing no individual 100-yard rushers.

So, go ahead and chuckle at Seattle for making a small bet on Barron, but it's no shock if Cable gets the last laugh.

Barron gives the Seahawks seven offensive linemen drafted by other teams. That includes choices from every round but the sixth (and two from the fifth). The chart shows drafted linemen on the Seahawks' roster, ordered by draft slot. Shading identifies players chosen by Seattle.

The chart does not show undrafted players, including contributor Lemuel Jeanpierre.

A look at my all-NFC West picks for the 2011 season, beginning with the offense:

• San Francisco's Michael Crabtree had competition from Doug Baldwin and Brandon Lloyd for the second receiver spot behind Larry Fitzgerald. Baldwin was the best on third down. Lloyd made the most spectacular grabs. Crabtree was a starter within the division all season and an aggressive blocker. He also caught more passes. Baldwin would have made it if we had space for a slot receiver. But with Crabtree making a few big plays, including an outstanding grab for a 41-yard gain at Seattle with the NFC's second seed on the line, he had the edge.
• Arizona's Daryn Colledge edged out the 49ers' Mike Iupati at left guard. Colledge, as a seasoned veteran, was more consistent. Iupati was outstanding on his best plays. Colledge, signed from Green Bay in free agency, upped the standard for the position. I thought he was strong as a run blocker in particular.
• Seattle's Max Unger overcame a slow start to beat out Arizona's Lyle Sendlein and San Francisco's Jonathan Goodwin at center. Unger picked up his game beginning with the Seahawks' strong rushing performance at Dallas. He looks like a long-term starter.
• The right side of the offensive line won out by default. The 49ers' Anthony Davis was the only right tackle in the division to start all season. Seattle's Breno Giacomini finished the season strong and could remain the starter next season. St. Louis' Harvey Dahl was an easy choice at right guard even though he finished the season at right tackle.
• The NFC West produced four strong candidates at running back. Seattle's Marshawn Lynch was an easy choice after leading the league in rushing since Week 9. He was a threat after contact, as a receiver and even when opponents seemed to have him tackled. The Rams' Steven Jackson edged out the 49ers' Frank Gore for the other spot mostly because Gore's production diminished as the season progressed. I didn't like leaving off Gore, because I respect the way he plays, but he also dropped too many passes this season.
• Alex Smith was the easy choice at quarterback.

Those were the primary considerations. I'll be back with defense and special teams. The chart breaks down my all-division choices for offense since 2008.

The comments section is now open. As always, let's work through our differences with civility and restraint.
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SEATTLE -- The last time the Seattle Seahawks shelled out top dollar for a running back, Shaun Alexander went into Ceased Mode. The former MVP took the money and couldn't find anywhere to run. He was finished within a couple of years.

That cautionary tale came to mind Thursday night when Marshawn Lynch shifted into Beast Mode during the Seahawks' 31-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field.

The raw numbers Lynch is posting -- 148 yards against the Eagles, his fourth 100-yard game in five weeks -- are enough to justify a new contract once his current deal expires in the spring. But it's how Lynch produces that makes him less dispensable than the typical running back. His running style is the very foundation of the offense coach Pete Carroll has vowed to build around.

"When you see effort like that from Marshawn, you can't help but give it your all," center Max Unger said.

Take that inexplicable 15-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Lynch ran right, disappeared into a crowd and emerged face to face with the end zone. On first glance, it appeared Lynch must have torn through the Philly defense with bolt cutters and a blow torch. Replays showed that wasn't the case. It wasn't even clear whether a defender touched him.

"I couldn't figure it out myself," Eagles defensive end Trent Cole said. "When he popped out, I didn't know who had the ball."

Teammates' explanations for what happened were nearly as entertaining as the run itself.

"I don't know what happened," fullback Michael Robinson said. "My nose started bleeding, man. I hit, my nose bled, I looked up, he scored and I'm getting ready for kickoff. That is how it happens."

This, from right guard Paul McQuistan: "I think they just pirated on us [slanting to the inside] and then we kind of caught it in the wash and he just squirted out, just made his way through there like he does, so it was great."

Whatever happened in there, Lynch showed the determination that is defining his career in Seattle. His puzzling refusal to discuss that play or anything else was the only disappointment afterward.

So, Marshawn, on the first touchdown run, can you describe what happened in there?

Lynch: "Offensive line played a helluva game, Tarvaris [Jackson] did a helluva job managing the game, we came out victorious, everybody is happy. Now we're on to our break. Thank you. I appreciate it. Excuse me."

With that, he was gone. No one got in his way, either.

What to make of Lynch and what he might become in Seattle?

No back is likely to approach the sheer production Alexander provided during the most successful seasons in franchise history: 1,500 yards and nearly 20 touchdowns per season for five years ending with Seattle's 2005 Super Bowl season. But it's safe to say which back opposing secondaries would prefer to see coming their way.

"They want nothing to do with Marshawn coming through there," left guard Robert Gallery said.

Lynch appears headed for a 1,200-yard season with double-digit touchdowns, numbers that could spike if Lynch sustains his latest production. The team lost left tackle Russell Okung to a potentially serious pectoral injury late in the game Thursday night. Running lanes might narrow without Okung, but as Lynch has demonstrated repeatedly, he requires only a little room to wedge his way through a defense.

When the Seahawks acquired Lynch from Buffalo last season, they also acquired the contract he signed as the 12th overall choice of the 2007 draft. That deal ran through 2012, but the final year voided. That means Lynch will hit the market this coming offseason unless the Seahawks use the franchise tag on him or the sides reach an agreement on a new deal.

It's not too early to consider the possibilities. As always, shelf life is the leading concern for running backs.

Alexander was 28 years old and had 2,005 career touches when the Seahawks signed him to a deal paying him $15 million in the first year. He turned 29 before the next season, started only 20 more games and never exceeded 896 yards rushing in a season.

Lynch will turn 26 before next season. He'll have about 1,300 touches at that point in his career. It's tough to know what Lynch's aggressive running style will mean for his longevity. The Seahawks need to keep him around as long as he's running the way he did Thursday night.

If the 15-yard run confounded, the 40-yarder Lynch broke for another touchdown had a revelatory feel. Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel appeared to have the angle on Lynch, but he couldn't catch him. Lynch, listed at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, ran at closer to 240 pounds late last season. He's a power back, but not a slow one. And his receiving skills, on display during a 20-yard touchdown reception against Washington last week, are probably underrated.

Robinson, the Seahawks' fullback, drew on his days with San Francisco, where he blocked for Frank Gore.

"They both are dynamic, they both can run, they can block, they can catch," Robinson said. "And people don't realize it, but Marshawn has hands, man. In college, he ran bubble screens and everything. The man can catch the ball. They are very similar. Marshawn runs a little bit harder -- you know, more physical, he's bigger. They are both great backs, and it's been an honor to play with both of them."

With Lynch pounding away on the ground, Jackson completed 13 of 16 passes for 190 yards. The Seahawks played Carroll's brand of football. They forced turnovers, they protected the football, they picked their spots in the passing game and they ran it.

Lynch, who entered the game leading the NFL in yards after contact since Week 9, surely widened the gap.

"Every carry he gets is like his last carry," Jackson said.

Five things I noticed while watching the Seattle Seahawks' most recent game, a 23-17 home defeat to the Washington Redskins:

• About those young safeties. The Redskins enjoyed early success against Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor when Rex Grossman found Fred Davis for a 31-yard gain to the 2-yard line on Washington's first drive. Thomas blitzed and got into the backfield quickly, only to chase a ghost. Grossman faked a handoff inside, then faked one to Jabar Gaffney on an end-around. Thomas followed Gaffney long enough for Grossman to find Davis. Chancellor, having already leveled Santana Moss earlier in the drive, whiffed on Davis when trying to hit him instead of wrapping up. These were errors of aggression.
• Competitive battles on the lines. The Seahawks' left tackle, Russell Okung, continues to play better as his ankle injuries fade from memory. He faced difficult matchups against the Redskins' Stephen Bowen and Brian Orakpo. All parties made positive plays. Okung stood out early when the Seahawks got the Redskins' front flowing to the offensive right, setting up Marshawn Lynch's cutback for a big gain. Okung drove Bowen across the formation and landed on him. Okung took an awkward hit from teammate Breno Giacomini late in the game and was limping. Trent Williams, the Redskins' left tackle, was jabbering at various Seahawks throughout the game. He was the aggressor and seemed to get the better of his matchups. Two young Seattle linemen, center Max Unger and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, looked good.
• Guards were hustling. Robert Gallery and Paul McQuistan made excellent blocks well downfield to spring Lynch's 20-yard scoring reception.
• Redskins' trippy field-goal team. Red Bryant's power was part of the story behind the field-goal attempt he blocked in the second quarter. The Seahawks bunched defenders over the right side of the Redskins' protection. A twist left the Redskins' Will Montgomery trying to block two players at once, including Bryant. He had no chance. The tighter splits linemen use when blocking for field goals prevents them from moving backward freely without tripping over teammates' legs. Montgomery tumbled over backward as Bryant rushed through.
• Sprinting through the whistle can help. The Seahawks allowed their first rushing touchdown since Week 4 when Roy Helu sprinted around the left side for a critical 28-yard run with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. It's unrealistic to expect every player on defense to run his absolute hardest throughout every moment of every play. The Seahawks would have been better off her if Leroy Hill had done that on this play, however. Hill let up when Chancellor appeared likely to make a tackle near the line of scrimmage (after Helu hurdled Roy Lewis). Hill accelerated when Helu broke free, but he let up again when Helu reached the 10-yard line. Hill was a couple yards behind and to the inside. He wasn't going to catch Helu, most likely. This was the signature play in a poor tackling game for Seattle.

That's it for now. I'm heading to Qwest Field early for the Thursday night game.

NFL teams strive for continuity along their offensive lines.

Seattle Seahawks fans remember the five players largely responsible for their team's Super Bowl appearance following the 2005 season. Left tackle Walter Jones, left guard Steve Hutchinson, center Robbie Tobeck, right guard Chris Gray and right tackle Sean Locklear started every game.

When the Arizona Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl a few years later, the same five linemen started all season: left tackle Mike Gandy, left guard Reggie Wells, center Lyle Sendlein, right guard Deuce Lutui and right tackle Levi Brown.

Teams shuffling their lines during a season usually do so for negative reasons such as injuries or poor performance.

The chart ranks NFC West teams by percentage of offensive snaps played by the most frequently used combination of five offensive linemen this season. The Seahawks' leading five has played 26.2 percent, third-lowest in the NFL behind those for Indianapolis (19.6 percent) and Buffalo (24.1). Download full NFL rankings here.

The most frequently used five for Seattle featured left tackle Russell Okung, left guard Robert Gallery, center Max Unger, right guard John Moffitt and right tackle James Carpenter. They have played 183 snaps together. That is two more than than a group featuring the same five, but with Paul McQuistan instead of Gallery at left guard. The current group, this one featuring Gallery at left guard, McQuistan and right guard and Breno Giacomini at right tackle, has 130 snaps. Three others line combinations have at least 50 snaps.

The Houston Texans (98.9) and Denver Broncos (95.8) are the only teams to use the same five linemen on more than 85 percent of snaps, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They rank among the NFL's top three teams in rushing yardage, with Denver's totals including 455 yards from quarterback Tim Tebow.

The 49ers' most frequently used fivesome ranks 13th at 62.8 percent. The Cardinals' primary five ranks 16th at 53.1 percent. The Rams' five ranks 29th at 34.5 percent.

San Francisco has averaged 5.1 yards per carry with Adam Snyder at right guard (418 total plays) and 3.1 per carry with Chilo Rachal in that spot (201 plays). No other frequently used combinations in the division feature such disparities. Seattle has averaged 3.6 yards per carry with its current line, down from the 4.2 and 4.3 range with the lines it used most frequently earlier in the year. Sack percentage is also up slightly.

The St. Louis Rams have yet to hear about an injury they could not top.

They proved it Friday when starting left tackle Rodger Saffold suffered a serious pectoral injury that could require season-ending surgery. Saffold suffered the injury during a routine weight-lifting session, the team said.

For pure freak value, that arguably tops the season-ending knee injury Seattle Seahawks right tackle James Carpenter suffered during routine pass-rush drills Thursday. Tom Cable, the Seahawks' veteran offensive line coach, said he'd never seen a player injured seriously in such a drill.

Just like that, both the Seahawks and Rams are heading into their game Sunday with barely recognizable offensive lines. The Rams have already lost eight cornerbacks -- nine, depending on one's accounting -- to injuries this season. One report Sunday said their backup running back, Cadillac Williams, suffered a calf injury while checking into the game.

Before losing Saffold, the Rams had already lost starting right tackle Jason Smith to a concussion. Removing Saffold from the equation forces Mark LeVoir into the lineup at left tackle. Adam Goldberg is filling in for Smith at right tackle. The Rams have no tackle depth at this point, in other words. They had already shaken up their personnel on the line by replacing center Jason Brown with Tony Wragge.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, will play for the first time this season without Carpenter and rookie right guard John Moffitt, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Baltimore in Week 10. They've been getting increasingly strong play from left tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger, however, so their line has the edge heading into Sunday -- barring any new injuries before kickoff.

This Seattle Seahawks season would not be measured by the standings or the team's ability to replicate its surprise playoff success from a year ago.

Having invested in their offensive line and pushed back a quarterback decision until 2012, these Seahawks needed to show they could run the football. They needed to show why they drafted James Carpenter over Andy Dalton, why they hired Tom Cable to coach the line and why they signed Robert Gallery in free agency. They needed to show why they used a third-round pick for guard John Moffitt, why they used the sixth pick of the 2010 draft for tackle Russell Okung and why they moved young Max Unger into the lineup at center at Chris Spencer's expense.

The Seahawks have started to demonstrate why in recent weeks and that continued Sunday when running back Marshawn Lynch became the seventh player over the past five seasons to reach 100 yards rushing against the Baltimore Ravens. Lynch is the 27th player to accomplish the feat against Baltimore since the Ravens' founding in 1996. His 32-carry, 109-yard performance was critical to the Seahawks' surprise 22-17 victory over the Ravens at CenturyLink Field.

Injuries were the only big concern for Seattle coming out of this game. Moffitt suffered a potentially serious knee injury. Doug Baldwin, Sidney Rice and Kam Chancellor suffered concussions.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune had this to say about the Seattle victory: "For years, the Ravens have made their living by being football bullies, roughing up opposing offenses, issuing pain and intimidation. Sunday, though, the Seahawks stood toe-to-toe, hit-for-hit, and came away with a win that might change the way this team is perceived."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says coach Pete Carroll was particularly proud of Seattle's line. Carroll: "I thought they played great, protected beautifully today. And when we needed it most, they were able to grab the running game and take five or six minutes off the clock."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Lynch's three highest-yardage games as a Seahawk have come in his last four starts. Lynch: "It wasn't me to be honest. The goal for every game is to run the ball. That's pretty much why they wanted Cable to come here. He just took his time with us, up front and the running backs. We go hand in hand to get that thing going and now it seems like we're understanding what it is he wants, and how the run game should look."

Also from O'Neil: Golden Tate stepped up when the Seahawks needed him Sunday.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says Lynch also hurt the Ravens with five receptions for 58 yards. One key for Lynch, according to players: The running back has become more disciplined in his reads.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks felt as though they had the better defense Sunday. Joe Flacco: "They're big guys, their corners were pressed on us most of the day. They kind of went to a two-shell [coverage] a lot of the second half, and forced us to do some of those things."

Also from Williams: Steven Hauschka made five field goals against the team that released him a couple years back.

Matt Pitman of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks' linebackers played well Sunday.

The NFC West placed four players on Matt Williamson's midseason top 50 list for the NFL.

That included two in the top 10.

Two additional NFC West players showed up on a list of 10 up-and-comers. Nine more appeared on an 18-man list underneath the up-and-comers ("others of note").

Insider subscribers can check out the full list, with explanations.

My thoughts on the NFC West representation:

San Francisco 49ers (six total)

Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers (ninth): Willis has demonstrated his dominance for years. His versatility has stood out this season, particularly when Willis matched up with Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew and limited him to 42 yards on eight receptions. Pettigrew scored a touchdown, but Willis defended that play very well, too.

Justin Smith, DE, 49ers (10th): Williamson's explanation for this choice is perfect. He asks any doubters to watch Smith play a full game. Any game. They're all outstanding.

NaVorro Bowman, LB, 49ers (up-and-comer): Bowman is making some of the pursuit plays that Willis made in past seasons. He's playing at a Pro Bowl level and appears worthy of top 50 consideration with additional playing time.

Mike Iupati, LG, 49ers (others of note): The 49ers' offensive line has shown improvement over the course of the season. Iupati is the best player on the line even though left tackle Joe Staley has more receptions.

Ray McDonald, DE, 49ers (others of note): The 49ers made a statement when they signed McDonald to a long-term deal and named him their starter. McDonald has met or exceeded expectations.

Aldon Smith, OLB, 49ers (others of note): Smith has 6.5 sacks playing primarily as a defensive end in the 49ers' sub packages.

Seattle Seahawks (four total)

Chris Clemons, DE, Seahawks (37th): Seeing Clemons listed before big names such as Jake Long and Ray Lewis shows Williamson watches the games. The Seahawks feel as though Clemons deserves strong Pro Bowl consideration. Clemons lacks name recognition, but he is on pace to become the first Seattle player since Michael Sinclair to record back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks. He's strong against the run, too.

Kam Chancellor, SS, Seahawks (others of note): Coach Pete Carroll covets players with what he considers "unique" characteristics. Very few strong safeties hit the way Chancellor hits.

Earl Thomas, FS, Seahawks (others of note): Thomas combines with Chancellor to give Seattle a highly promising pair of young safeties. Thomas has only one interception. I expected him to have more based on how he played through most of the season's first half.

Max Unger, C, Seahawks (others of note): Unger has shown great improvement in recent weeks. I was surprised to see his name on this list. Again, though, it shows Williamson is watching the games.

Arizona Cardinals (three total)

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals (12th): Fitzgerald is averaging 17.0 yards per reception, which would be a career high by more than two yards. His reception totals are lagging. I suspect that is partly because the team has new options at tight end for shorter receptions. Early Doucet has also become the top target on third down.

Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals (others of note): Campbell can dominate like few other defensive linemen in the division. He's on pace for 10 sacks, outstanding production for a 3-4 defensive end. Campbell is also a threat to block field goals, as the Rams saw Sunday.

Daryl Washington, LB, Cardinals (others of note): Washington has two sacks, four passes defensed and an interception. He's quick and active.

St. Louis Rams (two total)

Chris Long, DE, Rams (up-and-comer): Williamson called Long easily the best player on the field when the Rams beat the New Orleans Saints. The Rams haven't been in favorable pass-rush situations often, but Long still appears likely to reach double-digit sacks for the first time.

Sam Bradford, QB, Rams (others of note): Bradford is not the problem in St. Louis. He is no less promising. But the results have not been there.

Five things I noticed while watching the Seattle Seahawks during their 34-12 home defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8:

• Carroll's mind made up on Whitehurst. Coach Pete Carroll anointed Tarvaris Jackson the starting quarterback before the season largely because the coaching staff thought Jackson would benefit from its full confidence following a rough run with Minnesota. The team's lack of confidence in Charlie Whitehurst enabled the decision. That lack of confidence was obvious when Carroll gave Whitehurst only seven pass attempts before switching to Jackson despite Jackson's injury. Leashes don't come much shorter than that one, particularly without turnovers.
• Blitzing from the slot did not work. Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Bengals were prepared when Seattle sent cornerback Roy Lewis as a blitzer from the slot. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was waiting for Lewis on Cincinnati's first third-down play of the game. Dalton quickly threw to the man Lewis had been defending. The ball arrived before middle linebacker David Hawthorne could cover. The Bengals had more people in protection than the Seahawks had rushing. Seattle blitzed Lewis from the slot on the other side of the field early in the fourth quarter. Again, Dalton was wise to it and got the ball out.
• The QB change hurt before it helped. The spacing between Jackson and running back Marshawn Lynch wasn't right on their first play together. They nearly collided during the handoff, and Lynch fumbled shortly thereafter, with the Bengals recovering. The passing game improved greatly before long, but Seattle missed out on the initial jolt a team sometimes gets by making a switch at the position. Later in the game, Lynch played a key role in a third-and-11 completion to Doug Baldwin. He initially helped left tackle Russell Okung in protection, but with free safety Reggie Nelson coming free on a blitz, Lynch peeled back alertly and shielded Jackson from what could have been a big hit.
• Richard Sherman detested A.J. Green. Sherman, making his first start at cornerback, gave the Bengals' promising rookie trouble. It was obvious something about Green did not sit well with Sherman. We realized this after the game when Sherman called Green overrated and a sloppy route runner. Re-watching the game, I noticed Sherman running over to Green, who was on the ground, and taunting him demonstrably following teammate Kam Chancellor's interception. Sherman had set up the interception with tight coverage and a deflection. He was so intent upon rubbing it in Green's face that he failed to realize the play remained live. Too bad Sherman and Green won't see each other much over their careers.
• Offensive line blew this one. Seattle's offensive line suffered through a rough game, with rookie right tackle James Carpenter's struggles standing out. Though the final score suggested a blowout, Seattle trailed only 20-12 when it took possession with 4:45 left in the game. First down: Right guard John Moffitt got beat, leading to pressure that forced a bad throw for an incomplete pass. Second down: A screen to Baldwin went nowhere because Okung could not reach defensive end Michael Johnson, left guard Robert Gallery could not reach safety Chris Crocker and center Max Unger could not release cleanly. Third down: Carpenter gave up a sack rather quickly even though the Bengals rushed only three on the play.

Looking ahead: The schedule is not cooperating with Seattle's efforts to improve its ground game. Matchups with Dallas, Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco present challenges.

The 2011 NFL season is far enough along to make fuller statistical comparisons between this season and last.

The chart shows how NFC West teams have changed from last season in various offensive statistical categories. The ones marked with red text and underlines stood out to me when putting together the chart. A few thoughts:

• If the 49ers were not winning, we could easily point out how they are averaging fewer yards per game this season while ranking 31st in passing yards per game, 24th in first downs per game, 27th in third-down percentage and 29th in sacks allowed per pass play. These would all be signs of a sickly offense that hasn't progressed sufficiently from the dark days of Mike Singletary. But because the 49ers have limited turnovers, improved their running game and played well enough on defense and special teams to go 5-1, all is well, right? The 49ers are averaging an additional 8.7 points per game. They are much smarter and more efficient on offense.
• The Seattle Seahawks are averaging 35 fewer yards and 3.2 fewer points per game this season. They were not very good on offense last season. Their defense is healthier and better than it was through most of last season, and the offensive line should improve with better health. Robert Gallery looked much better at left guard following his return from groin surgery. Max Unger should be back at center soon. The drop in yards per game is the sixth-largest for an NFL team. Their drop in yards per play (.5) is the fourth-largest from last season.
• The Cardinals are averaging an additional 69.2 yards per game, the fifth-largest jump from last season behind Carolina (158.2), New England (110.7), New Orleans (94.6) and Buffalo (73.6). Their field goal percentage is down 31.8 points from last season, by far the largest drop for any team in the league. Percentages are up overall. Interceptions per pass play are up slightly. No team in the league has improved its punt-return average as much as Arizona, a reflection of Patrick Peterson's addition.
• The St. Louis Rams are scoring 8.8 fewer points per game, the third-largest drop from last season behind Indianapolis (11.3) and Jacksonville (10.1). The team's touchdown percentage in goal-to-go situations has plummeted. Sam Bradford has completed only 1 of 10 passes in goal-to-go situations. Only teammate A.J. Feeley (0-of-3) and Miami's Matt Moore (also 0-of-3) have completed a lower percentage this season. By comparison, Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 7 of 10 such passes with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Tom Brady has nine touchdowns and no interceptions on these throws. Bradford has one touchdown and one pick.

On to the chart ...

Arizona: Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday and will have to fight through a knee injury if he does play against Baltimore in Week 8. The fact that the Cardinals initially thought Wells suffered a season-ending injury makes returning only one week later seem like a long shot. The Cardinals have not set a timetable for Wells' return. Whether Wells practices Thursday and Friday should tell us plenty about whether the third-year running back plays Sunday. The Cardinals are a much more physical team in the running game when Wells is available. The Ravens rank among the NFL's top three in rushing yards allowed overall and per carry. Tight end Todd Heap's availability is also in question. A hamstring injury continues to slow him. The Cardinals have better depth at the position this season, though. Wells is the key variable.

St. Louis: Sam Bradford continues to miss practice with a high-ankle sprain, preventing the Rams from making fuller use of new receiver Brandon Lloyd, in my view. I see no reason for the Rams to rush Bradford back onto the field against a New Orleans team known for taking shots at opposing quarterbacks, including their ankles. The assumption here is that Bradford must practice by week's end to have a shot at playing. The Rams have yet to activate receiver Mark Clayton and cornerback Marquis Johnson from the physically unable to perform list. The need is greater at corner than receiver. The Rams, already without their top three corners for the remainder of the season, lost corner Justin King to a groin injury last week. His status remains unclear. Right tackle Jason Smith could be out indefinitely after suffering neck and head injuries at Dallas. Left tackle Rodger Saffold missed practice with an illness Wednesday.

San Francisco: The 49ers are expected to welcome back receiver Braylon Edwards from knee surgery. The timing is perfect for Edwards because the 49ers are facing the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him third overall. Coach Jim Harbaugh suggested his injury-related optimism earlier in the week might have been premature. You can bet Edwards has been pointing toward this game for his return, however. Fullback Moran Norris isn't expected to return. His replacement, Bruce Miller, has shown improvement. The 49ers have used only one back half the time on first and second down to this point in the season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They're obviously comfortable using two tight ends with two wide receivers, diminishing the need for a fullback. They're fine without Norris, in other words. Parys Haralson's expected return from a hamstring injury comes as rookie Aldon Smith is stepping up his game, anyway. How many snaps those players get will be a storyline for the remainder of the season. Smith, it seems, needs to play. Right guard Adam Snyder is expected back from a stinger. The 49ers' ground game has been better since Snyder took over as the starter.

Seattle: The Seahawks should get center Max Unger, running back Marshawn Lynch and/or tight end Zach Miller back from injuries this week. All were limited Wednesday, and coach Pete Carroll said decisions would not be made until later in the week. Seattle needs Lynch because the team doesn't have another big back for its offense. Backups Leon Washington and Justin Forsett are too similar to provide the differentiation Carroll values. Miller's absence played a leading role in the team's defeat at Cleveland, I thought. Backup Anthony McCoy suffered through a rough game. The Seahawks need him back. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is the other big question mark for Seattle this week. His pectoral injury hasn't prevented him from throwing, but he remains limited. It's too early to say whether he's likely to play this week. I would expect a better effort from backup Charlie Whitehurst this week, should he play.

The backup center snaps to the backup quarterback, who hands off to the backup running back. What sounds like scout-team work is actually the Seattle Seahawks' starting offense against Cleveland in Week 7.

The team knew starting center Max Unger and starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson would miss the game. They did not know running back Marshawn Lynch would suffer a back injury during warm-ups, making him a last-minute scratch from the lineup.

The Browns are countering with an offense featuring Montario Hardesty at running back instead of the injured Peyton Hillis.

This game is scoreless entering the second quarter. Penalties are sustaining drives better than offensive plays are sustaining them. This is a game the Seahawks will have to grind out on defense, it appears.

Thoughts as quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and center Max Unger showed up as "doubtful" on the Seattle Seahawks' injury report Friday:

• QB decision an easy one: Jackson's pectoral injury isn't expected to sideline him for long, but while he's still limited, the team gets another chance to evaluate backup Charlie Whitehurst. Better yet, the Seahawks can do so without demoting Jackson. It's a big upset if Jackson plays Sunday. Seattle also has hopes for third-string quarterback Josh Portis. Keeping Portis active as the No. 2 quarterback could make sense. The Seahawks are not a quarterback-driven team. Might as well check out the backups.
• Line continually in flux: The Seahawks have used 14 starting combinations on their offensive line since Pete Carroll became head coach last season. The team has never used the same five more than three times in a row or at all. Lemuel Jeanpierre, who broke into the NFL with Kansas City as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2010, would likely make his first career start if Unger cannot play. That would make 15 starting combinations on the line in 24 regular-season and postseason games under Carroll. The Seahawks under Carroll have rolled with personnel changes, never stressing over them outwardly. Still, replacing the quarterback and center heading into a road game isn't an ideal situation.

Also, tight end Zach Miller will miss this game for Seattle with the neck injury he suffered against the New York Giants. The team could activate Cameron Morrah from the physically unable to perform list. Miller's absence hurts the Seahawks' run game, most likely.

The latest NFC West chat followed the course set by the standings through Week 6. There was more buzz surrounding the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Both are coming off road wins in the Eastern time zone. The Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams are a combined 1-9. Lots of season left. A few chat highlights:

Quinn from Elizabethtown, Pa., asks whether continuity on the offensive line can help the Seahawks make a strong second-half push and possibly overtake the San Francisco 49ers atop the NFC West.

Mike Sando: Well, that continuity is a work in progress. Center Max Unger has had a boot on his foot. Robert Gallery is returning to the lineup at left guard. We could still see a couple more line combinations from Seattle this season. Overall, though, I do see the Seahawks improving. They haven't suffered devastating injuries to this point. They've been able to fill in pretty nicely with depth at linebacker (K.J. Wright), cornerback (Marcus Trufant) and receiver (Doug Baldwin). I'm going to break out a post on this. It stands in contrast to the Rams' situation, where they too frequently have not had enough good players in reserve.

Sean from Seattle wants to know the chances of the 49ers taking a 9-1 record into their Thanksgiving game against Baltimore in the Harbaugh Bowl. He also wonders why the 49ers didn't make a push to add Brandon Lloyd.

Mike Sando: ^&*(anlljkasd. Sorry about that. A bit distracted while watching your horse slam into the back of your cart like that. You make a good point, though. Home for Cleveland, at Washington, home for the Giants, home for Arizona. I see at least two wins for the 49ers there and probably three. I'll take 8-2 as my projection for them. 9-1 is not out of the realm, but even good teams lose from time to time. On Brandon Lloyd, the Rams got him for a sixth-rounder that can become a fifth. The 49ers probably realized Lloyd would be learning a new system and might not fit as naturally with Braylon Edwards returning. The 49ers use two tight ends a lot, limiting the available spots for wide receivers on the field.

Brian from Phoenix asks whether the Arizona Cardinals have a chance at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, given that Pittsburgh has its own issues, including on the offensive line.

Mike Sando: Yeah, they have a shot. I'd probably pick them to win had they not played so poorly at Minnesota. This team hasn't shown an ability to win close games. They've shown a pattern of losing close games. I'll go with the Steelers based on their ability to rally against a suspect defense even if the Cardinals play well. One thing I'm looking at: How Kevin Kolb has performed against 3-4 defenses. He's done better lately, including against the Redskins this season. I also addressed Kolb in the NFC411 video published Thursday. This is a big game for him.

Pete from parts unknown asks whether the Rams can "turn things around" with new receivers and an easier schedule in the second half of the season.

Mike Sando: There's a decent chance that will happen. Sam Bradford's ankle injury clouds the picture a little bit. He could be dealing with that all season. I saw improvement from the Rams at Green Bay and think they're closer to breaking through. They'll win some games in the second half of the season.

Did anyone predict final scores for NFC West games in Week 6? I'll be finding out soon and posting the weekly "you called it" predictions item next, hopefully.