NFC West power rankings: Seahawks and Geno Smith put division on notice

The NFC West standings probably look a lot different through two games than most expected. The shock is not that the Seattle Seahawks are 2-0 but in how the other teams align. The power rankings below follow the standings, but there are good reasons for that.

After Week 3, things could look even better for 12s and the team. Seattle's next opponent is not as imposing as they were a couple of weeks ago, at least on paper. The other teams face daunting tasks next week.

Maybe the power rankings will look a lot different in a few weeks, but at least Seahawks fans should be happy now. A playoff run is a real possibility. Maybe even a division crown.

NFC West power rankings through the first two games: Seahawks stand alone

4. Los Angeles Rams (0-2)

What in the world is going on with the Rams? Sure, there is no shame in losing to the Detroit Lions to open the season, but LA was thrashed by an Arizona Cardinals team in Week 2 that no one expected to be very good. Arizona seems a lot better than expected (more on that in a minute), but the Rams losing 41-10 to anyone is inexcusable.

Plus, LA is struggling with injuries to key players. The offensive line is a mess. Star receiver Puka Nacua could be out for as much as seven weeks. Cooper Kupp suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and could be out for a while. Oh, and the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 so an 0-3 start is a real possibility for the Rams.

3. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

Yes, Marvin Harrison, Jr. is very good. He was uncoverable for quite a bit of Week 2 and torched the Rams for four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. The thing that mattered most for the Cardinals against the Rams was that Arizona's defense was pretty good. The Cardinals limited LA to 245 total yards and sacked Matthew Stafford five times.

The expected weakness of the Cardinals this year was their defense. They weren't awful against the Lions and they were great against the Rams. Next week they will be challenged by the Lions and we might learn how good Arizona's defense truly is.

2. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

The 49ers are a different team without the versatility that running back Christian McCaffrey brings. San Francisco still has a number of weapons, but the offense simply doesn't run the same without McCaffrey. This was especially true in a shocking loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

Worse, however, is that the 49ers allowed six sacks. That could be an issue against even a diminished Rams team in Week 3. The good thing for the Seahawks is that after Week 3, unless there is a tie, the Rams are either going to be 0-3 or the 49ers are going to be 1-2.

1. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

The Seahawks did what they needed to do to begin the season by getting victories in both games that seemed winnable before the season. Week 3 now looks a lot easier since the Miami Dolphins will be without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa due to him suffering a concussion in Week 2. A 3-0 start should probably be expected as Seattle gets Miami at home.

Let's be clear, though. The biggest reason Seattle is undefeated through two games is quarterback Geno Smith. In Week 2, he had no support from his running game and still finished 33 of 44 passing for over 300 yards. His receivers also had five drops so he could have been 38 for 44. Smith is fourth in Total QBR in the NFL through two games.

More Seahawks news and analysis: