The Seattle Seahawks’ NFC West title hopes took a hit with their 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
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But the Seahawks get another crack at the Rams when they welcome them to Seattle for a Week 16 rematch on Dec. 18. And the San Francisco 49ers, despite all their injuries, are still very much in the mix as well.
The Rams (8-2), Seahawks (7-3) and 49ers (7-4) are all within 1.5 games of each other, which makes the NFC West one of just two divisions with three teams over .500. According to The Athletic’s Playoff Simulator, the Rams have a 75% chance of winning the division title, followed by the Seahawks at 16% and the 49ers at 9%.
Here’s a closer look at the tight NFC West race, including a breakdown of all three contenders’ schedules the rest of the way.
NOTES: The division title odds and playoff odds are according to The Athletic’s Playoff Simulator. The strength of schedule rankings are based on opponents’ win percentage, according to Tankathon.com.
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 8-2
NFC West title odds: 75%
Playoff odds: >99%
Division record: 2-1
Remaining strength of schedule: 22nd-hardest (.479)
• vs. Buccaneers (6-4)
• at Panthers (6-5)
• at Cardinals (3-7)
• vs. Lions (6-4)
• at Seahawks (7-3)
• at Falcons (3-7)
• vs. Cardinals (3-7)
By win percentage, the Rams have the easiest remaining schedule of the three NFC West contenders, thanks in part to them still having two games against the struggling Cardinals. But in reality, the Rams’ remaining slate isn’t quite as friendly as the numbers make it seem. The Buccaneers and Lions are almost certainly better than their 6-4 records suggest, so both of those matchups could be challenging. And of course, the Rams still have to make the trip up to Seattle for a Thursday night Week 16 rematch against the Seahawks, who will be hungry for revenge.
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 7-3
NFC West title odds: 16%
Playoff odds: 91%
Division record: 2-2
Remaining strength of schedule: 10th-hardest (.514)
• at Titans (1-9)
• vs. Vikings (4-6)
• at Falcons (3-7)
• vs. Colts (8-2)
• vs. Rams (8-2)
• at Panthers (6-5)
• at 49ers (7-4)
The Seahawks have a favorable next few weeks, with three straight games against sub-.500 opponents. That gives them a prime opportunity to be 10-3 heading into a pivotal five-day stretch where they host the Colts on Sunday, Dec. 14, and then the Rams on Thursday, Dec. 18. It goes without saying, but that Week 16 rematch against the Rams is a virtual must-win for Seattle’s division title hopes. The Seahawks then close with back-to-back road games, including a regular-season finale against the 49ers that could also carry significant NFC West title and playoff implications.
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 7-4
NFC West title odds: 9%
Playoff odds: 87%
Division record: 4-1
Remaining strength of schedule: 11th-hardest (.508)
• vs. Panthers (6-5)
• at Browns (2-8)
• BYE WEEK
• vs. Titans (1-9)
• at Colts (8-2)
• vs. Bears (7-3)
• vs. Seahawks (7-3)
Despite all their injuries, the 49ers have managed to hang around in the NFC West race. Quarterback Brock Purdy is now back in the fold, having returned last week after missing eight games with a toe injury. And the upcoming stretch is quite friendly, with a favorable matchup against the Panthers and then back-to-back games against two of the NFL’s worst teams. There’s a good chance the 49ers could be 10-4 heading into a closing three-game stretch against teams that are all 7-3 or better – including the pivotal regular-season finale against the Seahawks in Santa Clara.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• There’s a better way of looking at Seattle Seahawks’ loss to Rams
• Imaging shows no significant injury to Seattle Seahawks LG Zabel
• Seahawks Takeaways: Macdonald continues to impress in one area
• Stacy Rost: A Seahawks problem cost them against Rams
• Observations from Seattle Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to Rams