Two teams with everything to prove are locked in a dead heat at the top of the NFC West: the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, both sitting at 7-2 as of November 11, 2025. It’s rare to see two teams this close in win-loss record, especially when both are riding four-game winning streaks and playing at a level that suggests they’re peaking just as the season enters its most critical phase. The twist? The Seahawks have the better point differential — +103 — while the Rams boast the league’s fifth-best defense, allowing just 153 points all season. Who gets the division crown? That’s the question everyone’s asking as the final five weeks unfold.
A Division That Won’t Quit
The NFC West has become the most unpredictable division in football this year. The San Francisco 49ers, long the division’s powerhouse, are hanging on at 6-4, but their 1-game losing streak and porous defense (230 points allowed) have exposed cracks. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are stuck in last place at 3-6, their offense sputtering and their home record a dismal 1-3. This isn’t just a two-team race — it’s a three-team battle for the top spot, with the 49ers still mathematically alive and hungry for redemption after last year’s playoff collapse.Here’s the thing: the Seahawks and Rams aren’t just winning — they’re winning differently. Seattle’s offense, led by quarterback Geno Smith, has been explosive, scoring 275 points with a balanced attack that features both deep passes and a punishing ground game. Their 4-0 road record is the best in the NFC, a sign they thrive under pressure. The Rams, by contrast, have won with defense. Their front seven has been relentless, forcing 22 turnovers and holding opponents to under 17 points per game. Even when their offense stalls — which happens more often than fans admit — the Rams still find a way.
Who Holds the Edge?
Statistically, the Seahawks have the advantage. Their +103 point differential is the best in the NFC West, and they’ve beaten two playoff-caliber teams on the road — the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. But the Rams’ schedule has been tougher. They’ve faced four teams with winning records away from home, including a nail-biting 20-17 win in Green Bay. And here’s the quiet factor: Sean McVay has a 7-1 record in December games since 2020. December wins have historically decided division titles — and the Rams have three of their final five games in December.Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ final stretch includes a home game against the 49ers on December 15 — a game that could decide the division. If Seattle wins, they clinch the top seed. If they lose? The Rams, with a favorable schedule (three of their last five games against teams under .500), could sneak in with a 9-2 record. Analysts are split. “The Seahawks are more complete,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter on his podcast last week. “But the Rams have the killer instinct. You don’t win 7-2 with a defense that good unless you’re built for playoff football.”
The Bigger Picture: NFC Playoff Implications
This isn’t just about the NFC West. The outcome here ripples across the entire conference. The Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East at 8-1, and a win over the Dallas Cowboys this week could lock them into the #1 seed. But if the Rams or Seahawks win the division, they’ll likely be the #2 seed — meaning a home game in the divisional round. That’s huge. Home-field advantage in January? It’s the difference between a quick exit and a Super Bowl run.The NFC North is equally chaotic. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all tied at 6-3. That’s unprecedented. The Lions, with Jared Goff playing the best football of his career, look like the favorites — but the Bears’ defense has been a revelation, and the Buccaneers still have Tom Brady’s ghost haunting their locker room. Whoever wins that division could be the most dangerous wild card.
What’s Next? The Final Five Weeks
The Seahawks’ remaining schedule: @Rams, vs. 49ers, vs. Cardinals, @Raiders, vs. 49ers. The Rams’: @Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Panthers, @Cardinals, vs. 49ers. Both teams play each other twice — once in LA on December 1, and again in Seattle on December 29. The December 1 game is the de facto division championship. Lose that one? Your path to the top seed gets a lot harder.Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos lead the AFC West at 8-2, and the Indianapolis Colts are atop the AFC South. The playoff picture is still wide open. But in the NFC, it’s clear: the race for the top seed hinges on two teams who’ve refused to lose.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about rankings. It’s about legacy. For the Seahawks, it’s about proving they’re not a one-year wonder after last season’s 11-6 run. For the Rams, it’s about silencing critics who say they’re a “Super Bowl hangover” team — that they can’t sustain success without a dominant offense. Both teams have something to prove. And in the NFL, that’s the most dangerous combination of all.Frequently Asked Questions
How does the point differential break the tie between the Seahawks and Rams?
If the Seahawks and Rams finish tied at 7-2, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head record. They split their two meetings this season, so the next tiebreaker is point differential. The Seahawks lead +103 to +98, giving them the edge — but only by five points. That’s less than one touchdown. A single defensive stop in their final game could flip the entire division.
Who has the easier path to the playoffs between the Seahawks and Rams?
The Rams have a slightly tougher remaining schedule, with three games against teams above .500, including two against the 49ers. But they’ve shown they can win close games on the road. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have two games against the Cardinals — a team they’ve beaten twice already — and one against the Raiders. Their path is less punishing, but their December 29 rematch with the Rams could be the most pressure-filled game of their season.
Why is the NFC West so competitive this year?
For the first time since 2018, no team in the NFC West has a clear star quarterback. The Seahawks and Rams rely on defense and smart play-calling. The 49ers’ offense has regressed, and the Cardinals are rebuilding. That’s created a vacuum where consistency and execution matter more than star power. It’s a league-wide trend — the NFL is becoming more balanced, and the West is leading the charge.
What’s the biggest threat to the Seahawks or Rams making the Super Bowl?
The Philadelphia Eagles. If they finish 11-2 or better, they’ll likely be the #1 seed and host a divisional round game. Their defense is elite, their offense explosive, and they’ve beaten both the Seahawks and Rams this season. A Super Bowl matchup between the Eagles and either Seattle or LA is highly likely — and the Eagles have the home-field advantage in that scenario.
Has any team with a 7-2 record missed the playoffs in recent years?
Not since 2017. In the past 10 seasons, every team with a 7-2 record or better by Week 11 has made the playoffs. The only exceptions were 2020 and 2022, when multiple teams finished 9-8 or better due to expanded playoff formats. This year’s 14-team playoff field means even a 7-2 team has a 98% chance of making it — but only the division winner gets home-field advantage in the first round.
When will we know who wins the NFC West?
The earliest possible clinch date is December 22, if the Seahawks win their next three games and the Rams lose two. But realistically, the winner won’t be decided until the final week — December 29, when the Seahawks host the Rams in a game that could determine the division champion, the #2 seed, and potentially home-field advantage for the entire NFC.
