There’s a new king in the NFC West. After an impressive Monday night victory over the Houston Texans, the Seattle Seahawks have climbed to the top of the division standings at 5–2, overtaking both the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. It’s been a steady rise for Pete Carroll’s team, powered by a suffocating defense, timely offensive plays, and an identity that’s starting to feel very familiar: physical, disciplined, and resilient. Then there's the Arizona Cardinals.

Let's see how the competitive division stacks up now after nine weeks of play in the NFL season.

Seattle Seahawks (5-2)

The Seahawks defense was the story again in their 27–19 win over the Texans. The unit hounded quarterback C.J. Stroud from the opening drive, generating pressure on nearly a third of his dropbacks and forcing Houston into mistakes.

Linebacker Ernest Jones was a tackling machine, totaling 12 stops and snagging an interception, while rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his breakout season in Seattle with 123 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sam Darnold wasn’t flawless, but the Seahawks didn’t need him to be. They controlled the game’s tempo and leaned on their defense to do the rest. Seattle is coming off a bye and heading into this week rested and ready to take on Washington Commanders Sunday night in D.C. 

Los Angeles Rams (5-2)

The Rams, who are also sitting at 5–2, remain firmly in the mix after a strong 35–7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last week. Sean McVay’s group has rediscovered some balance, with Matthew Stafford looking sharp and the Los Angeles defensive front continuing to create havoc.

If the Rams can sustain that energy, the division race could come down to the final weeks. They are also coming off a bye and get ready to take on the New Orleans Saints, who recently went through a quarterback change, this Sunday afternoon at home.

San Francisco 49ers (5-3)

The Niners slipped to 5–3 after a disappointing 26–15 loss to those same Texans that the Seahawks beat earlier in the week. The defeat marked a game where injuries finally proved costly for the gritty squad. San Francisco has lost defensive cornerstones Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season, leaving massive holes in a unit once feared around the league.

Offensively, the Niners struggled early. Christian McCaffrey barely saw touches in the first quarter, and quarterback Mac Jones couldn’t get into rhythm until late. Tight ends George Kittle and Jake Tonges found the end zone, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a depleted defense. Kyle Shanahan’s squad will need to regroup quickly to stay in the hunt, but they've given themselves a decent cushion of wins to do so.

Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are 2–5 after a loss to Green Bay on Oct. 19. Jacoby Brissett continues to battle under center while Kyler Murray is recovering from a foot injury, but Arizona’s offensive inconsistencies and defensive lapses have been too much to overcome in close games. Murray is expected to start in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys and remains one of the few bright spots in what has been a challenging season for the Cardinals so far.

At the season’s midpoint, the NFC West feels as competitive as ever. The Seahawks have momentum, the 49ers are wounded but dangerous, and the Rams are quietly climbing. For now, though, Seattle has taken flight and everyone else is chasing them.