With Wilson traded, is the NFC West the LA Rams to lose?

In the past five seasons, the LA Rams have been the dominant team in the NFC West. The LA Rams have finished first in the division three times, in second place in the division once, and in third place in the division once. Since 2018, the NFC West has sent no fewer than two teams to the NFL playoffs.

But the NFC West may lose a bit of its luster in 2022. How does the NFC West go from elite to a below-average division in a few short months? Has the success of the LA Rams dimmed the chances of other NFC West rivals so quickly?

In the last few months, teams in the NFC West Division have appeared in national headlines. But not in the way you may think. Oh no, these headlines were mostly regarding their quarterbacks. The NFC West was arguably the best division in football, until the blockbuster trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

NFC West is NFL’s best

In 2021, the NFC West won 63 percent of their games against non-divisional opponents. The division has the highest winning percentage in football at .594 with a 38-26 record.  Three of the four NFC West teams made the playoffs last year. Going into the 2022 season, if you examine the NFC West division, the Rams should be a clear lock to win it all.

While there is seldom certainty in the NFL, the LA Rams are the most stable team in the NFC West.  Right now, NFC West rivals have serious questions. Either the teams have a quarterback controversy, are in a bit of turmoil, or they are rebuilding. The big question that needs to be answered is:  Can the Rams play to their potential or play down to their opponent?

Let’s take a look at how the LA Rams have historically fared over their NFC West rivals?