The Los Angeles Rams are dominating the NFL, but their place atop the NFC took a hit after losing to the Carolina Panthers. Did the loss damage the Rams’ standing enough to cause them to fall in the NFL Power Rankings? With three teams at 9 wins, a case can be made for any of them. However, most will agree that the gap between the top and the third-place teams is quite narrow. With a month left, anything can happen.
Here’s a look at the NFL Power Rankings in the NFC West.
NFL Power Rankings: NFC West
#1 – Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
The loss to the Carolina Panthers hurt, but not enough to drop the team a spot in the NFL power rankings. Matthew Stafford’s historic streak of games without an interception came to an end, and it was likely the pressure that accompanied it that doomed him, along with the trip across the country to face Carolina. With the pressure now off, Stafford can get back to winning games and keeping his still-impressive 32-touchdown, four-interception season in pristine condition.
Of course, one can’t mention the Rams quarterback without mentioning his receivers. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua have become one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, and by extension, they are helping create one of the scariest passing games in the NFL.
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#2 – San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
The San Francisco 49ers have been through the wringer this season with injuries. However, the 49ers are still in a great position in range of the top of the NFC. There are questions about Brock Purdy and the wide receiver room, but Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will give the offense plenty of juice going forward.
We’re going to learn a lot about the team in the final three weeks of the season, with tilts against the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Seattle Seahawks still on tap. Can Brock Purdy rise to the occasion, or will there be calls for Mac Jones by the end of the season?
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#3 – Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
The Seattle Seahawks uncorked a dominant 26-0 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but it doesn’t erase the four interceptions Sam Darnold threw in the biggest game of the year against the Rams. If Darnold can settle down in high-leverage moments, the Seahawks could be something special. Instead, he might be one more big-moment collapse away from losing his place in Seattle’s long-term plans.
Still, one cannot forget Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s contribution, and if Darnold doesn’t make a playoff push, Smith-Njigba could end up receiving much of the credit for Darnold’s contributions in the NFC West.
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#4 – Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Maybe next year, Arizona Cardinals. What started as a season of hope has taken a dark turn. The Kyler Murray era appears all but over, and the team has some big questions to answer heading into 2026. It’s going to take a major overhaul to fix the issues on the team, and everyone is at risk after the season. No one is safe.
Of course, some players like Marvin Harrison Jr. are likely to return. Michael Wilson should also be back, thanks to a low $1.3 million cost (Spotrac), but will Jonathan Gannon survive the culling? Either way, it wouldn’t be a hot take to write the Cardinals off for 2026 as the rebuild takes its first steps.