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It’s been a minute since the Seattle Seahawks last won the NFC West. This may sound crazy, but five years without a division title is the longest drought for the Seahawks since they returned to the division in 2002. As for the last time the Seahawks won the division and a playoff game at the same time? You’ve got to rewind to the 2016 season, when the Legion of Boom was still around.
The Seahawks came agonizingly close to taking back the NFC West crown in 2024, ultimately losing out on a strength of victory tiebreaker to the Los Angeles Rams. Only 10 wins was enough to get top spot, the fewest since that aforementioned 2016 season. That felt like a missed opportunity for Seattle in a down year for the 49ers, another slow start for the Rams, and the Arizona Cardinals on the rise but not quite there yet.
It figures to be another tight divisional race, betting odds be damned. There are legitimate arguments to be made for all four teams to win the NFC West (yes, even the Cardinals, whom I think could be a playoff team this season). I can even make reasonable, non-injury related arguments for all four teams to be dead last.
For today’s discussion, I want to know how many wins you believe the Seahawks will need to clear the competition and reclaim the throne? This requires some extra thinking because you’re also (sort of) doing W-L predictions for the 49ers, Cardinals, and Rams.
My bold-ish take is that a close race doesn’t mean there will be an elite team. I’m not saying it’ll be a sorry chase like the 2010 season, but it’ll be clustered in that 7-11 win range. There are real concerns about the 49ers offense following the departure of Deebo Samuel, the injury to Brandon Aiyuk, the health of Christian McCaffrey, and the potential for Trent Williams to finally look his age. SF’s well-oiled machine may finally come apart on offense, although I think the 49ers defense under Robert Saleh will bounce back and be a top unit again. At least Brock Purdy got his money.
The Rams are justifiably getting hype with the exciting defensive core, plus the rise of Puka Nacua as a superstar wide receiver. Their question mark? Matthew Stafford and how much he has left in the tank at 37. If he’s still slinging it like he’s 27 then the Rams are going to be a problem and likely pushing for another postseason run. Any semblance of a decline and that lowers the ceiling. I just wish they’d go away. Is Sean McVay ready to announce his retirement yet?
Lastly, the Cardinals went from consecutive 4-13 campaigns to a respectable 8-9. Third-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has a new set of toys on the defensive line, including first-round pick Walter Nolen, Super Bowl champion Josh Sweat, and the return of the ageless Calais Campbell. Arizona’s defense has the potential to make a leap toward the top 10 if the defensive line clicks in ways it did not last season. Kyler Murray is somewhat in a pivotal season, having been culpable in several key losses down the stretch for the Cards. We know that he’s a serious dual-threat QB at his absolute best. With James Conner in the backfield, Marvin Harrison Jr getting another year to learn NFL offenses, and Trey McBride discovering he can score touchdowns, the Arizona offense should be at least respectable, albeit with not a whole lot of great team speed on that side of the ball.
I believe the Seahawks will need 11 wins to be assured of the division title. What say you? Chat away in the comments!
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