around the NFC West (thread starts 8/24)

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from The Athletic, What we learned from NFL preseason games: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7531068/2026/08/24/nfl-preseason-takeaways-geno-smith-dashaun-watson/?source=athletic_targeted_email&source=athletic_targeted_email&campaign=18078211&userId=603890

NFC West

Cardinals: While most starters rested, backup QB Gardner Minshew mostly fared well, completing 19 of 23 passes for 177 yards. But the Cardinals committed eight penalties, two of which took touchdowns off the board. It was, first-year coach Mike LaFleur told reporters, the culmination of “a sloppy week of practice.”

Rams: Stetson Bennett played loose and confident in a blowout win over the Saints, finishing 19-of-31 for 181 yards with no turnovers and a quarterback rating of 77.5. The passing numbers were more safe than prolific, but this was the statement Bennett needed to make in a backup QB race that had felt like it was shifting before this game. Ty Simpson, the No. 13 pick in April’s draft, had the big performance in last week’s preseason game. Then the Rams began splitting the No. 2 reps in practice, with Bennett losing the efficiency and touch on the deep ball he had previously shown. Both areas looked improved against the Saints.

49ers: Jacob Cowing might be the team’s fastest player, and he showed it on an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown that triggered an eruption of joy from the 49ers’ sideline in a win over the Chargers. QB Brock Purdy, receiver Deebo Samuel and a chunk of the offensive starters played one series, and five rookies were featured in starting roles: receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black, guard Carver Willis, defensive end Romello Height and linebacker Jaden Dugger. Stribling finished with four catches for 46 yards on the first two series before being removed. The 49ers got more good news on Sunday when they activated tight end George Kittle from the physically unable to perform list, increasing his chances of playing in Week 1. Running back Christian McCaffrey, who had missed time with “tightness,” was also in uniform on Sunday.

Seahawks: Seattle’s backup offensive unit raced to a two-touchdown lead over the Titans, with Drew Lock finding second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo for a 36-yard touchdown pass and second-year back Jacardia Wright breaking a 69-yard touchdown run. Lock played well, completing 12 of 14 passes for 103 yards. But just days after they lost receiver Jake Bobo to a season-ending knee injury, the Seahawks saw rookie safety Bud Clark get carted off with a broken ankle that will sideline him for multiple months.

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