Three weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the NFC West is already shaping up to be interesting, but the San Francisco 49ers have the upper hand. Following their win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the 49ers stand alone atop the division at 3-0, with both the Seattle Seahawks and Cardinals chasing, and the Los Angeles Rams looking to recover after a slow start.

1. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

San Francisco remains undefeated, though it hasn’t come easy. Playing without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers turned to Mac Jones in Weeks 2 and 3 and still managed back-to-back wins. Injuries to defensive stars Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams have tested their depth, but timely plays from Fred Warner, Upton Stout, and rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall have kept them rolling. Christian McCaffrey has been the anchor of the offense. Sitting alone in first place, San Francisco has shown it can win even when shorthanded, this is a promising sign for the weeks ahead.

2. Arizona Cardinals (2-1)

Arizona fell just short against the Niners, but has still emerged as one of the early surprises in the NFC. Their defense has been aggressive, stacking the box to slow McCaffrey, and their offense has kept them competitive through three weeks. Still, the loss drops them a game behind San Francisco and exposes concerns in a banged-up secondary that could be a problem moving forward.

3. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)

The Seahawks rebounded in Week 3 with a strong win, keeping pace in the division race. Their offense has shown flashes of explosiveness, while the defense remains opportunistic. At 2-1, they share the same record as the Cardinals but trail the Niners in the standings thanks to the 49ers’ win in the head-to-head. The Seahawks will have their chance to prove themselves when they face the NFC’s heavyweights throughout the season.

Rams (0-3)

It’s been a rough start for Los Angeles. Three straight losses have dropped them to the bottom of the division, and injuries haven’t helped their outlook. While young talent is being developed, the Rams find themselves already in a deep hole in a division that rarely allows teams to climb back.

Big Picture

With San Francisco in sole possession of first, the NFC West remains tight behind them. Arizona and Seattle look like legitimate challengers, but for now, the 49ers’ resilience has given them the early lead. If they continue to weather the injury storm, as they have been, San Francisco could create real separation for themselves in this division.