The NFL regular season is more volatile on a week to week basis than the stock market. One team who lost by several touchdowns the week before can follow up the next week with a blowout victory. Players who are responsible for the blame one week could be responsible for a game-winning play the very next game.
With Week 6 of the regular season in the books, let's take a look at three NFC West players who saw their stock rise, and three NFC West players who saw it fall as we get set for Week 7.
THREE UP
Jimmy Graham, tight end, Seattle Seahawks
Graham and the Seahawks' run-first approach have been slow to mesh but he was clearly the focal point of the passing game in Sunday's loss to Carolina. Graham was targeted 12 times by quarterback Russell Wilson and finished with eight catches for 140 yards. It was his first 100-yard game since Week 2 of the 2014 seasons.
John Brown, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Brown has settled in nicely as the No. 2 receiver opposite Larry Fitzgerald, but he took a leading role in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh. Brown had 10 catches for 196 yards - both career highs - in the game and hauled in seven receptions of at least 11 yards in the second half alone. Brown has 33 catches through six games and is well on his way to surpassing last season's rookie total of 48.
Colin Kaepernick, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick played so poorly in back-to-back losses in Weeks 3 and 4 - throwing five interceptions versus zero touchdowns - that he admitted to playing tentatively to avoid turnovers. Not anymore. Kaepernick aired it out in Sunday's victory over the Ravens, throwing for 340 yards and a pair of touchdowns while going his second straight game without a pick.
THREE DOWN
Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers
Davis returned from a two-game injury absence and did not register a catch Sunday despite his team's most productive passing day. It continued a downward spiral for a player who twice has caught 13 touchdown passes in a season. Since scoring twice in the 2014 season opener, Davis has 30 receptions without a scoring pass in his last 17 games.
Legion of Boom, Seattle Seahawks
A secondary once renowned for its ability to lock down opposing clubs suddenly cannot seem to get out of its own way - particularly late in games. A blown coverage led to the winning touchdown in Seattle's loss to Carolina in Week 6 but here's a telling stat. In the fourth quarter and an overtime during the last three games, opposing QBs are 35-of-40 for 381 yards and two TDs.
Chris Johnson, running back, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson had been a savior for Arizona's ground game following a knee injury to starter Andre Ellington in the season opener. After racking up a pair of 100-yard performances and averaging at least five yards per attempt in a three-game span, Johnson tailed off dramatically in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh with 40 yards on 14 carries.
