NFC West Showdown: Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers Set Up a Wild Finish
With just four weeks left in the regular season, the NFC West isn’t just the most competitive division in football-it’s shaping up to deliver the most dramatic finish we’ve seen in years. Three teams, all legitimate contenders, are locked in a high-stakes race for the division crown, and every snap from here on out could tip the balance.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Heading into Week 15, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are tied atop the division at 10-3, while the San Francisco 49ers are right on their heels at 9-4. It’s a rare three-horse race where all three teams are not only playoff-bound but also in the conversation for the Super Bowl.
Vegas certainly thinks so-DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists the Rams as the Super Bowl favorites at +370, with the Seahawks not far behind at +650. No other team in the league has better than +700 odds. That tells you everything you need to know about how strong this division has been.
But before any of these teams can think about hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, they’ve got to survive the gauntlet that is the NFC West.
Current Standings and Tiebreaker Breakdown
Here’s how the division stacks up, along with key tiebreaker notes:
| Team | Record | Head-to-Head | Division Record |
|---|
| Rams | 10-3 | 1-0 vs SEA, 1-1 vs SF | 3-1 | | Seahawks | 10-3 | 0-1 vs SF, 0-1 vs LAR | 2-2 |
| 49ers | 9-4 | 1-0 vs SEA, 1-1 vs LAR | 4-1 |
Even though the Rams and Seahawks share the same record, Los Angeles holds the top spot thanks to their head-to-head win over Seattle. That gives them the inside track, but with so many divisional matchups still on the schedule, nothing is locked in yet.
Odds to Win the Division (Per DraftKings):
- Rams: -145
- Seahawks: +185
- 49ers: +700
According to simulations from SportsLine, the Rams have a 43.6% shot at winning the division, with the Seahawks right behind at 40.3%. The 49ers, despite the toughest path, still have a puncher’s chance at 16.1%.
What’s Left on the Schedule
Here’s what each team is facing in the final four weeks:
| Week | Rams | Seahawks | 49ers |
|---|
| Week 15 | vs Lions (8-5) | vs Colts (8-5) | vs Titans (2-11)| | Week 16 | at Seahawks | vs Rams | at Colts (8-5) |
| Week 17 | at Falcons (4-9)| at Panthers (7-6)| vs Bears (9-4) | | Week 18 | vs Cardinals (3-10)| at 49ers | vs Seahawks |
The Rams have the edge when it comes to strength of schedule-their remaining opponents have a combined win percentage of .481. The Seahawks, on the other hand, have one of the toughest slates in the league at .654, with every remaining opponent currently above .500.
That Week 16 clash between the Rams and Seahawks? Circle it. It’s not just a must-watch-it could very well decide the division.
How Each Team Can Win the NFC West
Let’s break down what each team needs to do to finish on top.
49ers’ Path to the Crown:
- Win out (finish 13-4)
- Rams must lose at least once, and that loss needs to come against either Seattle or Arizona
If that happens, the 49ers would win the division based on a superior division record. And if the Seahawks also end up at 13-4, San Francisco holds the tiebreaker there too, having already beaten them once and playing them again in Week 18. At 7-to-1 odds, the Niners are the long shot, but their path is clear-and not impossible.
Rams’ Path:
- Win out (finish 14-3)
- Or go 3-1, as long as they maintain tiebreakers over Seattle and San Francisco
The Rams control their destiny. With the easiest remaining schedule and tiebreakers currently in their favor, the math is simple: keep winning, and the division is theirs.
Seahawks’ Path:
- Win out (finish 14-3)
- Must beat Rams in Week 16 to flip the head-to-head tiebreaker
Seattle’s road is tougher, but they’ve been one of the most resilient teams in the league all season. That Week 16 matchup with the Rams is pivotal. Win that, and they’re in the driver’s seat heading into the final two weeks.
Can All Three Make the Playoffs?
Short answer: Yes. Barring a complete collapse, the NFC West is on track to send three teams to the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Here’s how the NFC Wild Card race looks right now:
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|
| 5 | Seahawks | 10-3 | | 6 | 49ers | 9-4 |
| 7 | Bears | 9-4 | | 8 | Lions | 8-5 |
| 9 | Panthers | 7-6 | | 10 | Cowboys | 6-6-1 |
| 11 | Vikings | 5-8 |
If Seattle goes 2-2 the rest of the way, they’d still finish 12-5-good enough to stay ahead of the wild card pack unless someone like the Lions runs the table. The 49ers have two very winnable games coming up against the Titans and Colts.
Win those, and they’re at 11-4 heading into a crucial Week 17 matchup against the Bears. A win there would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker and likely lock up a playoff spot.
According to SportsLine projections, all three NFC West contenders are near locks:
- Seahawks: 97.9% chance to make the playoffs
- Rams: 94.5%
- 49ers: 89.4%
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of late-season divisional race that makes the NFL special. Three playoff-caliber teams, all with double-digit wins, all still fighting for the division crown-and possibly the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams have the inside track, the Seahawks have the grit, and the 49ers have just enough firepower to crash the party.
One thing’s for sure: the NFC West isn’t just the best division in football this year-it’s also the most fun to watch. Buckle up.