Don’t look now, but the Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s hottest team
The Dallas Cowboys may be on of the NFL’s hottest teams, but can they make the playoffs? USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett bell breaks it down.
Sports Pulse
The Los Angeles Rams entered Week 13 in sole possession of first place in the NFC West. They aren’t anymore.
Sean McVay’s squad still has a share of first place after its surprising loss to the Carolina Panthers. However, the Rams are now tied atop the division with the Seattle Seahawks, who earned a dominant 26-0 victory over the Max Brosmer-led Minnesota Vikings.
And not to be forgotten are the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s team earned a resounding victory of their own on the road against the Cleveland Browns, winning 26-8 while limiting Shedeur Sanders in his second career start.
The success of those three playoff contenders is turning the NFC West race into one of the NFL’s most exciting battles.
Who has the advantage in the three-horse race? Here’s what to know about the NFC West standings as the division heads for an explosive, five-week finish to the 2025 NFL season.
NFC West standings
Below is a look at the pecking order in the NFC West with five weeks remaining in the 2025 NFL season.
Los Angeles Rams (9-3)Seattle Seahawks (9-3)San Francisco 49ers (9-4)Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
The Rams are presently still atop the NFC West by virtue of their head-to-head victory over the Seahawks. Los Angeles beat Seattle 21-19 in Week 11, giving it temporary possession of the tiebreaker. The Seahawks will have a chance to change that when the two face off in Week 16.
In terms of other tiebreakers, the 49ers own a head-to-head one over the Seahawks after beating them 17-13 in Week 1. The two will next face off in Week 18, which could prove to be a critical game in the NFC playoff race.
Meanwhile, the Rams and 49ers have split their season series. That means if they are tied in the standings, the tiebreaker would be based on their divisional record. At present, the 49ers have the best divisional record at 4-1. The Rams are 2-1 in divisional games while the Seahawks are 2-2.
As such, there is a lot still to be determined in the NFC West race. And the division winner may depend on which team can best take advantage of its schedule down the stretch.
Rams remaining schedule
The Rams appear to have a schedule advantage down the stretch of the 2025 NFL season. Los Angeles has the seventh-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, per Tankathon. They have just two games remaining against teams with winning records, and only one of those is on the road.
Below is a look at the Rams’ remaining opponents:
Week 14: at Arizona CardinalsWeek 15: vs. Detroit LionsWeek 16: at Seattle SeahawksWeek 17: at Atlanta FalconsWeek 18: vs. Arizona CardinalsSeahawks remaining schedule
The Seahawks will face a much tougher task over the season’s final weeks. Seattle has the third-hardest remaining schedule in the NFL, per Tankathon. Four of their five remaining games will be against teams with winning records, and their final two games will be on the road.
Below is a look at the Seahawks’ remaining opponents:
Week 14: at Atlanta FalconsWeek 15: vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 16: vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 17: at Carolina PanthersWeek 18: at San Francisco 49ers49ers remaining schedule
The 49ers still haven’t had their bye yet, so they will get some rest in Week 14. After that, Brock Purdy and Co. will face the seventh-hardest remaining schedule, per Tankathon. The saving grace? Three of the 49ers’ final four games will come at home.
Below is a look at the 49ers’ remaining opponents:
Week 14: BYEWeek 15: vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 16: at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 17: vs. Chicago BearsWeek 18: vs. Seattle SeahawksNFC West division winner odds
The Rams remain the favorites to win the NFC West, according to odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is a look at each team’s chances of winning what might be the NFL’s best division.
Los Angeles Rams: (-140)Seattle Seahawks: (+210)San Francisco 49ers: (+475)