Through six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the NFC West is shaping up to be interesting to say the least. The San Francisco 49ers still sit in first place at 4–2, but their margin for error has all but disappeared after Sunday’s 27–17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Despite the defeat, San Francisco’s 3–0 divisional record keeps them narrowly ahead of the Seattle Seahawks (4–2) and Los Angeles Rams (3–3), while the Arizona Cardinals (1–5) continue to bring up the rear.

49ers Hanging On — But Barely

The 49ers’ injury luck has gone from bad to comical (it’s actually not funny at all). Losing Fred Warner for the season after Sunday’s game adds another Pro Bowl name to an ever-growing list of sidelined veterans. With Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiuyk, George Kittle and Brock Purdy battling health concerns this year, San Francisco’s depth is being tested more than ever.

Still, Mac Jones has held steady at quarterback, leading the Niners to three wins and keeping them afloat atop the division. But his Week 6 performance showed the wear and tear of playing through injuries, and with six sacks allowed by the offensive line in Tampa, the protection issues remain glaring. Trent Williams had an uncharacteristically bad game, and the interior offensive line has remained an issue week after week. 

Seahawks and Rams Lurking

The Seahawks continue to climb quietly, matching San Francisco’s record at 4–2 and looking sharper each week behind a balanced offense and opportunistic defense. The plus side here for the 49ers is that they won the first head to head. The Rams, meanwhile, sit at 3–3, showing flashes of potential but lacking consistency. Both teams still have multiple head to head chances to make a run at the top spot against both each other and another crack at San Francisco.

If San Francisco’s injuries keep piling up, the NFC West race could look completely different by November.

Cardinals Rebuilding Mode Continues

At 1–5, Arizona is still clearly in rebuild mode but has managed to stay competitive in most games. Rookie flashes have given fans a reason to be patient, but the rest of the division remains in a different tie entirely, the Cardinals have a lot of ground to cover if they want to get themselves back into the NFC West race. 

The Bottom Line

The 49ers are still in control of the NFC West, holding on by a thread, like their roster. But between the injuries, a shaky offensive line, and a tough upcoming schedule, their grip on the division is loosening fast. Seattle and Los Angeles smell blood in the water, and if San Francisco doesn’t get healthy soon, the top of the West could have a new leader before long.