NFC West Notebook: Cardinals clinch playoff berth, 49ers eliminated from contention
Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NFC West Notebook.
Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals clinch playoff berth. With the Dallas Cowboys' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, the Cardinals clinched their first playoff berth since 2009.
Lindley to start against Seahawks. Quarterback Ryan Lindley will get the start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stanton could return in 2-4 weeks. Drew Stanton, who reportedly suffered a partially torn ACL and MCL during the Cardinals' victory over the St. Louis Rams last week, could return in 2-4 weeks, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks have shot at top seed in the NFC. Should the Seahawks run the table for the remainder of the season, they have a good shot at being the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Okung to miss a week or so. Left tackle Russell Okung suffered a bruised lung during the Seahawks' victory over the 49ers on Sunday and is expected to miss a week or so, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
Williams and Hill playing well. Kevin Williams and Jordan Hill have filled in admirably in defensive tackle Brandon Mebane's absence. Hill racked up three tackles and two sacks against the 49ers, while Williams chipped in with four combined tackles and a sack.
San Francisco 49ers
49ers eliminated from playoff contention. The 49ers were eliminated from postseason contention following a 17-7 loss to the Seahawks. They haven't missed the playoffs since 2010.
Hochuli gets call wrong. Dean Blandino, the NFL's vice president of officiating, said referee Ed Hochuli got the call wrong when he flagged linebacker Nick Moody for roughing the passer after he hit Russell Wilson during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Seahawks-49ers game.
Gore suffers concussion. Running back Frank Gore suffered a concussion during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the 49ers.
St. Louis Rams
Donald impressing during rookie season. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The first-round pick out of Pittsburgh has 39 combined tackles and eight sacks in 14 games this season.
Fisher and Cook clear the air. Following last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, tight end Jared Cook told reporters the Rams were outplayed and out-coached. According to head coach Jeff Fisher, Cook wasn't being critical of his coaches, and probably should have chosen his words better.
What's left for the Rams in 2014? With the Rams officially eliminated from playoff contention, ESPN looked at what's left for the Rams to play for in 2014.