The NFC West enters the 2025 season as a division in flux, blending veteran experience, rising stars, and a few major question marks. While the San Francisco 49ers aim to reassert themselves, the division still looks like the Los Angeles Rams’ to lose—if they can stay healthy.
2025 Division Winners & Rankings
| Rank | TK | Mike Dogg | Streetz | Dylan | Bakley | ||
| 1 | Rams | 49ers | Rams | 49ers | Rams | ||
| 2 | 49ers | Rams | 49ers | Rams | 49ers | ||
| 3 | Cardinals | Seahawks | Cardinals | Seahawks | Seahawks | ||
| 4 | Seahawks | Cardinals | Seahawks | Cardinals | Cardinals |
Starting with the Rams, the biggest variable remains the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford. When he’s upright, Sean McVay’s offense hums, and with breakout stars like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, Los Angeles has built a dynamic core around him. Their 2024 season saw them emerge as legitimate contenders, and with another strong draft and a top-10 defense led by Kobie Turner and Byron Young, the Rams enter 2025 as the team to beat in the West. But if Stafford can’t make it through another full season, their margin for error narrows quickly.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are hoping for a bounce-back year after a frustrating 2024 that saw injuries and inconsistency derail their title hopes. The return of Christian McCaffrey is massive—he remains one of the most versatile weapons in football and the heartbeat of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. If Brock Purdy can return to his 2023 form and the defense tightens up after some regression, San Francisco could absolutely make a run. But with rising competition in the division, the window for this veteran-heavy roster is narrowing.
One of those rising threats? The Arizona Cardinals. With Kyler Murray healthy and Marvin Harrison Jr. coming off a promising rookie campaign, the Cardinals are ready to take a real step forward. Harrison looks like a future All-Pro, and Arizona’s improved offensive line and revamped defense could help them flip close losses into wins. Jonathan Gannon’s team played hard last year—now, with a legitimate WR1 and a confident QB, they’re aiming for a Wild Card spot.
Then there’s the Seattle Seahawks, entering a new era with Sam Darnold at quarterback. While Darnold hasn’t lived up to his draft billing yet, he’s shown flashes in recent stops, and with Seattle’s underrated weaponry—including DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba—he’ll get another real shot. The real strength of this team, though, is the defense. With players like Devon Witherspoon and Boye Mafe continuing to ascend, and a more aggressive defensive scheme under Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks could stay competitive in most games—even if the offense is a bit uneven.
Overall, the NFC West in 2025 features a mix of resurgence and renewal. If Stafford stays upright, the Rams could run it back. But if the 49ers get healthy, the Cardinals hit their stride, or the Seahawks find a spark with Darnold, this could once again become one of the NFL’s most unpredictable divisions.
