The NFC West was the tightest division in the NFL entering December, with all four teams separated by a total of one game.
The top spot in the division switched hands in Week 12, with the Seahawks jumping into the lead after a win over the Cardinals, but Arizona entered Sunday with a chance for a statement win against the Vikings while the 49ers and Rams could reassert themselves if they find the win column later in the day.
Can anyone gain separation in the NFC West, or will the door remain open for the 49ers to claim another division title?
Here’s an updated look at the NFC West standings and how Sunday’s results shook up the race.
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NFC West standings
| Team | Record | GB |
| Seahawks | 7-5 | — |
| Cardinals | 6-6 | 0.5 |
| Rams | 6-6 | 1 |
| 49ers | 5-6 | 1.5 |
The Seahawks were the big winners of Sunday’s early slate, as their 26-21 comeback win over the Jets put them in sole possession of first place in the NFC West at 7-5.
Seattle will lead the division entering Week 14 regardless of what any other team does, but the Cardinals’ loss to the Vikings ensured Mike Macdonald’s team will have some separation. The Rams kept pace with a win over the Saints, scoring three second-half touchdowns after being shut out in the first half. Los Angeles is a game out of first place but sits third behind Arizona due to a tiebreaker disadvantage.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are at risk of falling a full two games out of the division lead with losses on Sunday. San Francisco is hoping to get back on track with Brock Purdy in the fold, but a tough matchup in Buffalo could put the team in a position that’s difficult to recover from with no remaining games against the Seahawks.
The Seahawks and 49ers split their season series, so the head-to-head tiebreaker would go to divisional record. Meanwhile, Seattle can lock up the tiebreaker over the Cardinals with a win against Arizona in Week 14. With five games remaining, Geno Smith and co. are better positioned than anyone to win a crowded NFC West.
Here’s the remaining schedule for each NFC West team.
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Cardinals remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | vs. Seahawks |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | vs. Patriots |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | at Panthers |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | at Rams |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | vs. 49ers |
Seahawks remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | at Cardinals |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | vs. Packers |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | vs. Vikings |
| 17 | Dec. 26 | at Bears |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | at Rams |
Rams remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 13 | Dec. 1 | at Saints |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | vs. Bills |
| 15 | Dec. 12 | at 49ers |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | at Jets |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | vs. Cardinals |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | vs. Seahawks |
49ers remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 13 | Dec. 1 | at Bills |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | vs. Bears |
| 15 | Dec. 12 | vs. Rams |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | at Dolphins |
| 17 | Dec. 30 | vs. Lions |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | at Cardinals |
