![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/USATSI_27826002_168419650_lowres-1024x713.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWell, that was fun. The NFC West proved to be one of the best divisions in the league with three teams heading to the postseason. Things went down to the last game of the season, and all three have a strong chance at making the 2026 Super Bowl. In fact, the top team is considered the favorite to win the Super Bowl. As we head into the postseason or a long offseason, let\u2019s take one more look at our NFC West Power Rankings.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Things will look very different for the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> in 2026. The changes were both necessary and warranted, but they have a new head coach and starting quarterback. It shouldn\u2019t have come as a surprise that Jonathan Gannon was fired, and the Cardinals should be looking to move on from Kyler Murray.<\/p>\n Based on the projected draft pool, it\u2019s unclear whether Murray\u2019s replacement will come through the draft, but it will likely be in the form of a veteran looking for a change of scenery. It remains to be seen if James Conner returns and what is left in the tank. The more likely plan of action will be to hand the backfield over to Trey Benson, but he\u2019s also an unknown quantity after a season-ending injury.<\/p>\n With that being said, there are some pieces in place, as Trey McBride is one of the best tight ends in the league. Now, will Marvin Harrison develop, and what talent will the Cardinals add through the draft? It will also be interesting to keep an eye on their coaching search.<\/p>\n Another NFL head coach was shown the door. See which NFL team will be looking to add a new lead man<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Injuries were an issue all season for the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> on both sides of the ball. Brock Purdy returned and, over the last few games, truly found his groove. The problem, though, is that the 49ers scored just three points in Week 18 in what could have been a division-clinching game.<\/p>\n Christian McCaffrey struggled at times on the ground, but it\u2019s also difficult to ignore what he did as a receiver. He finished with 1,202 rushing yards, 924 receiving yards, and 17 combined touchdowns. If it weren\u2019t for some NFC West peers, we likely would be talking more about McCaffrey in the lens of Offensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n Not only is Purdy healthy, but the same can be said for George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall. Traveling to Philadelphia to face the Eagles to begin the playoffs also isn\u2019t an ideal matchup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is certainly a rematch that the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> would sign up for. Yes, they have to go on the road to begin the postseason, but they are traveling to Carolina to take on the Panthers<\/a>. This is a Carolina team that backed into the postseason and somehow emerged as NFC South Champions after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell apart and the Atlanta Falcons got going too late.<\/p>\n Not to take anything away from the Panthers and their defeat of the Rams a few weeks ago, but the visitors are clearly the better team here. The defense is strong, and Matthew Stafford threw the ball all around the field this season. It didn\u2019t help that Puka Nacua was a stud, as usual, while Davante Adams went nuts this season. That\u2019s not to discount the two-headed attack in the backfield with Kyren Williams and an emerging Blake Corum.<\/p>\n With a solid defense as well, ranking 10th with 20.4 points allowed per game, the Rams could make some noise after a slightly disappointing end to the regular season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s give credit where credit is due. Sam Darnold showed what he\u2019s capable of as a legitimate NFL quarterback as he led the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> to the NFC West championship and home-field advantage in the postseason. It only makes sense that Seattle would get top billing here.<\/p>\n Darnold led the Seahawks to a bye in the first round of the postseason, as he, smartly, took full advantage of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. At times, other receivers stepped up, but the aforementioned connection, along with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, especially the latter running back\u2019s nose for the end zone, deserve the credit. AJ Barner did emerge at the tight end position, but ultimately, Darnold and the offense were able to get it down. Again, having a weapon like JSN, who also had the season he had, didn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n The defense should also get credit here, as the Seahawks have one of the more complete teams in the league.<\/p>\n
\n
\n#3 \u2013 San Francisco 49ers<\/h3>\n
![\"Brock](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/Brock-Purdy-Week-17-NFC-West-Power-Rankings-1024x683.jpg\")
#2 \u2013 Los Angeles Rams<\/h3>\n
![\"week](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/week-5-wide-receiver-rankings-1024x683.jpg\")
#1 \u2013 Seattle Seahawks<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/USATSI_27937242_168419650_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")