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NFC West Update: Arizona Cardinals Clinch NFC West, But Lose Tyrann Mathieu With Torn ACL

A closer look at how the Seahawks' NFC West rivals fared in Week 15 around the NFL.

A closer look at how the Seahawks' NFC West rivals fared in Week 15 around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals (12-2)

The Result

The Cardinals clinched the NFC West with a 40-17 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) in what was a franchise-record 12th victory of the season.

What Happened

Rookie running back David Johnson filled in nicely for injured veterans Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came from 1-yard out and another the end result of a 47-yard carry ... Quarterback Carson Palmer completed 20-of-32 throws for 274 yards and his 30th touchdown of the season ... Former Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon returned a Sam Bradford interception 39 yards for a score ... Tyrann Mathieu recorded his fifth pick of the year but was injured on the play, a setback the team later revealed to be a torn ACL that will put an early end to what was a Pro Bowl season for the defensive back.

What's Next

The Cardinals host the NFC-North leading Green Bay Packers (10-4) in Week 16. Arizona can clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win or tie.


St. Louis Rams (6-8)

The Result

The Rams won their sixth game of the season, 31-23 at home over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but because of the Seahawks' Week 15 win over the Browns, St. Louis was eliminated from playoff contention.

What Happened

Quarterback Case Keenum completed 14-of-17 throws for 234 yards and two touchdowns, one each to wide receivers Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin, who also ran for a 21-yard score, upping his 2015 team-lead in touchdowns to 10 ... Rookie Todd Gurley eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, running 21 times for 48 yards and a touchdown ... Cornerback Trumaine Johnson had an interception of Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

What's Next

The Rams head to the Pacific Northwest for a Week 16 meeting with the Seahawks (9-5) at CenturyLink Field.


San Francisco 49ers (4-10)

The Result

The 49ers dropped their 10th game of the year, a 24-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium.

What Happened

The Niners turned the ball over four times, including three picks - two of which came on dropped passes - from quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who went 30-for-50 for 295 yards, one touchdown, and the three interceptions ... Gabbert's one scoring throw went to wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who finished with a team-high eight grabs for 74 yards but also lost a fumble that the Bengals turned into points ... San Francisco finished 2-of-14 on third down ... The loss secures a last-place finish in the division for the 49ers for the first time since 2005.

What's Next

The 49ers travel to Detroit in Week 16 for a game against the Lions (5-9) at Ford Field.


See the Seahawks close-up with these sideline portraits from their Sunday faceoff against the Cleveland Browns, which ended with a 30-13 win that secures the home team a spot in playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. 

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