NFC West Power Rankings After Week 15: Seahawks Rising, Rams Rolling, and a Division Race for the Ages
The NFC West isn't just back-it might be the best division in football right now. With three teams sitting on double-digit wins heading into Week 16, this division has become a gauntlet. And with playoff seeding on the line, things are about to get even more intense.
Seattle’s resurgence, the Rams’ firepower, and the 49ers’ steady climb have turned the NFC West into a three-way battle that could come down to the final snap of the regular season. Let’s break down where each team stands after Week 15, and what’s at stake as we head into a high-stakes Week 16.
4. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
It’s been a long, hard fall for the Cardinals. After a surprising 2-0 start, Arizona has dropped 11 of its last 12 games.
That stretch has exposed the gaps in the roster and the inconsistency in execution. Just a year ago, they were 6-4 and showing signs of life.
Now, they’re staring down a potential rebuild with the rest of the division pulling away fast.
The talent gap between Arizona and the rest of the NFC West is real. And while there are pieces to build around, the Cardinals are looking at a multi-year climb just to get back into the conversation. Wholesale changes might be coming, and they’ll need to hit on several fronts-draft, development, and leadership-if they want to close the gap.
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
The 49ers are the kind of team that’s easy to overlook-until you realize they’re sitting at 10-4 and still very much in the thick of the playoff race. They’ve taken care of business against a relatively soft schedule, but credit where it’s due: this is a well-coached, disciplined football team that knows how to win.
San Francisco may not have the firepower to make a deep postseason run this year, but they’ve nearly doubled their win total from 2024 and are still in the hunt for the division. That makes them a dangerous spoiler-and a team that neither Seattle nor Los Angeles can afford to take lightly.
The Niners have enough talent and experience to make things uncomfortable for anyone in the NFC West down the stretch. Don’t count them out just yet.
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
Seattle is back in a big way.
After missing the playoffs last year despite hitting double-digit wins, the Seahawks have already surpassed their 2024 win total and are firmly in the mix for both the NFC West title and the top seed in the conference. The stakes couldn’t be higher heading into Week 16, when they host the Rams in what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season.
This is the kind of matchup that defines playoff positioning. A win keeps Seattle’s division hopes alive and could vault them into the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
A loss? That likely drops them to a wild card spot and a road trip in the first round.
The X-factor here is Sam Darnold. He’s struggled in high-pressure moments this season, including the last meeting with the Rams. Seattle has the roster to compete with anyone-talent on both sides of the ball, a physical identity, and a coaching staff that knows how to scheme-but if the quarterback play falters, it could all unravel quickly.
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
Right now, the Rams look like the most complete team in the NFC-and maybe in the entire league. Sitting at 11-3 and already holding a win over Seattle, they’ve got a chance to sweep the season series and take full control of the NFC West in Week 16.
Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level, and even if they’re without Davante Adams for the rematch, the Rams have shown they can win in different ways. What’s remarkable is how quickly they’ve retooled this roster since their Super Bowl win in 2021. This team is younger, faster, and arguably more dynamic than it was back then.
The Rams have rebuilt without bottoming out, and now they’re reaping the rewards. The Week 16 showdown in Seattle could decide everything-from the division crown to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. And if Stafford keeps playing like this, LA will be a tough out no matter where they play in January.
Bottom Line:
The NFC West is giving us a playoff race for the ages. Seattle and Los Angeles are neck and neck, with San Francisco lurking in the shadows. Week 16 could reshape the entire NFC playoff picture-and it’s all coming down to a heavyweight battle in the Pacific Northwest.
Get your popcorn ready. This division isn’t just competitive-it’s must-watch football.