Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers are locked in a fierce division battle. Injuries test San Francisco as contenders jockey for position.
The NFC West: three teams sit above .500, and the top two, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, share identical 6–2 records. The San Francisco 49ers aren’t far behind at 6–3, keeping the pressure on despite a wave of injuries. Here’s where things stand heading into Week 10:
1. Seattle Seahawks (6–2, .750)
The Seahawks continue to set the pace in the division behind a steady offense and an improving defense that’s carried them to a three-game win streak. Sam Darnold has found his groove (again), distributing the ball efficiently while Seattle’s pass rush has begun to heat up. At 4–0 on the road, Pete Carroll’s squad has shown resilience in tough environments. They’ll need it down the stretch with key divisional matchups still on the schedule.
2. Los Angeles Rams (6–2, .750)
Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua continue to lead the Rams, while the defense, who has only allowed 127 points through eight games, has been dominant. Los Angeles has won three straight and sits neck-and-neck with the Seahawks. Their upcoming trip to Santa Clara to face the 49ers could determine whether they stay atop the division or slide back into a crowded playoff picture.
3. San Francisco 49ers (6–3, .667)
After a 34–24 win over the Giants, San Francisco remains firmly in the hunt. Mac Jones continues to look more comfortable each week. However, the defense took another hit with rookie pass rusher Mykel Williams suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9.
Even with that loss, Ji’Ayir Brown and Renardo Green have been bright spots, helping the secondary hold up in key moments. San Francisco’s upcoming rematch with the Rams should be pivotal, as another win would tighten the NFC West race even further.
4. Arizona Cardinals (3–5, .375)
While the Cardinals remain in the bottom spot, their competitiveness has been undeniable. They’ve already matched last year’s win total and have been in nearly every game they’ve played. The defense has allowed just 171 points, a notable improvement, and young talent continues to develop on both sides of the ball. Arizona’s rebuild may still be in progress, but they’ve become a spoiler threat capable of shaking up the division standings down the stretch.
Big Picture
The NFC West has three legitimate playoff contenders and zero easy outs. The Seahawks and Rams are trading blows for the top seed, while the 49ers, despite injuries, remain firmly in the mix. With San Francisco hosting Los Angeles this week, the division could look completely different by Sunday night. Expect the NFC West to remain a three-team slugfest deep into December.