The NFC West is the best division in the NFL and that was even more apparent in Week 9 as the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks won their games by a combined score of 109-48. The 49ers were the “worst” NFC West team of the day and that’s even with Mac Jones at quarterback and going on the road. All three teams scored at least 34 points and both the Rams and Seahawks won their games by 24 points.
At 6-2, 6-2, and 6-3, the NFC West looks destined to send three teams to the playoffs, but the winner of the division could be determined on which team wins the trade deadline on Tuesday. Either by making a huge acquisition or by sitting out and trusting their players and coaches to win an explosive second half showdown between these three teams.
That war picks up next week with the 49ers hosting the Rams.
Although the 49ers have lost multiple superstars during the season, like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, San Francisco seems no worse for the wear. Mac Jones was supposed to be a temporary fill-in but he may have outright stolen the starting job from Brock Purdy by going 5-2 in his starts.
The 49ers have been linked to many big names on the trade market, including pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, which might be a little more realistic because the Bengals lost 42-41 on Sunday.
The Rams have been linked to cornerbacks, even after making several additions during the season, but Emmanuel Forbes played pretty good against the Saints. And you never know what L.A. general manager Les Snead will do.
Seahawks GM John Schneider told the media over the weekend that Seattle is talking to teams and ready to make a move if they have to. The Seahawks have been getting a great season from former Rams linebacker Ernest Jones, but Jones was injured on Sunday night. Will they be looking for a linebacker all of a sudden?
The NFC West is a three-horse race and the meetings are only going to get more tense from here. Who wins the division and will the NFC Championship end up being two teams from one of these rivalries? It’s looking like vintage 2010s-2020s NFC West again.
