NFC West Division Tightens as Teams Battle Midseason

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The NFC West is heating up as three teams are tied with six wins entering Week 10 of the NFL season. The Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks all stand at the top of the division, creating an exciting race for the playoffs.

According to ESPN Research, the Rams have a 37.1% chance of winning the division, closely followed by the 49ers at 35.0%, and the Seahawks at 27.6%. This marks the sixth time since 2002 that three teams from the same division have reached at least six wins by Week 9.

In the past five years, divisions with three teams achieving this feat have seen all three make the playoffs, showcasing the competitiveness in the conference. While the Arizona Cardinals sit at the bottom of the division with a 3-5 record, they are not giving up hope, turning to quarterback Jacoby Brissett for a much-needed boost.

“We still have a long way to go, and anything can happen in this league,” said Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon. “We’re focusing on improvements every week.”

This Sunday, the Rams will meet the 49ers at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, while the Seahawks will take on the Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. Both games are crucial as each team looks to solidify its playoff position.

The pressure is especially on the Seahawks, whose offense ranks fifth in scoring but faces challenges running the ball efficiently. Their designed rush rate is the highest in the league, yet they average only 3.7 yards per carry.

Despite setbacks, the Seahawks’ defense remains a bright spot, allowing just 18 points per game while contending with multiple injuries in their secondary. “We need to keep our composure and trust our defense,” said Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. “We have what it takes to make a run.”

The Rams, led by veteran QB Matthew Stafford, are currently focused on overcoming issues with their field goal unit, which has been inconsistent this season. “We need to fix these problems and get back on track,” said Rams coach Sean McVay.

The 49ers are also dealing with their own injury struggles as they try to maintain their position in the tight division.

With playoff spots on the line and several crucial divisional games coming up, each team is gearing up for an intense second half of the season.