It appears that NFC West reins are firmly in the hands of the other 2 teams

The Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers have a heated division rivalry. But when it comes down to it, either the Rams or 49ers end up in the hunt for a Lombardi Trophy. At least, that is the way it used to be since the Rams hired HC Sean McVay. Since 2017, the LA Rams have played seven complete NFL seasons, and failed to compete in the NFL Playoffs just twice. Over that same period, the 49ers have failed to compete in the NFL Playoffs three times.

But over that time frame, either the Rams or the 49ers have appeared in and won the NFC Championship two times apiece. And the Rams have won Super Bowl LVI.

But every chapter comes to an end. Has the Rams/49ers chapter of dominating the NFC West come to that final paragraph? While you may scoff at the idea, let's be fair to the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. Not only are they boaststing better records than either the 49ers or the Rams, but they played a tough defensive game in which the Seahawks won.

Neither the 49ers or the Rams put up much in the way of defense in Week 12.

Packers smoked 49ers

Yes, the 49ers were injured when the traveled to face the Green Bay Packers on the road. 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy was unable to suit up. But the problem in Week 12 for the 49ers was more than a lack of offense. The Packers seemed to score at will, and pushed the 49ers hopes of competing in the 2025 NFL Playoffs even further to the back burner.

Yes, the same 49ers team that was favored to win the NFC Championship game this year. Well, that has most certainly changed:

If you think that the 49ers will bounce back, I wouldn't rush to buy playoff tickets just yet. At 5-6, the 49ers must face:

• Week 13 - @ Buffalo Bills (9-2)
• Week 14 - Chicago Bears (4-7)
• Week 15 - Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
• Week 15 - @ Miami Dolphins (5-6)
• Week 16 - Detroit Lions (10-1)
• Week 17 - @ Arizona Cardinals (6-5)

While there could be a win, or two, in the 49ers remaining schedule, they are by no means going to win five of their remaining six games necessary to win a playoff berth. And unless they win both remaining NFC West Division games, they have almost no chance of overtaking the Cardinals or Seahawks for the division title.

Eagles smoked Rams

Everything was set up for a Rams win in Week 12, which would propel them to a tie for first place in the NFC West. But with the lead there for the taking, the Philadelphia Eagles faceplanted the Rams in a commanding fashion.

The LA Rams may have squandered their window in 2024. Despite winning three of four games coming out of their Week 6 BYE, the Rams have now lost two of three games, have a home field record of 3-3, and must win at least five of their remaining six games to have any shot of competing in the postseason this year.

From what we witnessed in Week 12, even if the Rams do appear in the NFL Playoffs, they are unlikely to make much noise.

At times, the Rams appear to be a very good team. At other times, they appear to be a very bad team. And there does not seem to be any discernable pattern as to which team will show up on game day. While the Rams were home underdogs in Week 12, the hope was that the game would showcase how close the Rams are to being among the top-tier teams in the NFL.

Now we know. These Rams have a long way to go.

It was all of the season-long mistakes wrapped up into one blowout loss. The Rams did not tackle effectively. Many times, players were out of position. On both Saquon Barkley 70+-yard touchdown runs, the Rams entire defense seemed to be on the line of scrimmage. And without WR DeVonta Smith, the Eagles still managed to get 109 receiving yards and one touchdown on a six of seven catch performance from veteran WR A.J. Brown.

But it was more than a hapless defense that lost the game. The Rams offense scored once in the first quarter. But by the second quarter, the Eagles offense took the lead and never looked back. Even as the Rams defense learned the need for better tackling and run defense, the offense learned the hard lesson about ball security, pass protection, converting third downs, and moving the chains. The Eagles had total command of the time of possession throughout the game.

The Rams and the 49ers will both bounce back. But Week 12 proved that the chapter of the 49ers and Rams dominating the NFC West Division may be coming to an end. If it hasn't come to an end already, that is.

Thanks for reading.

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