NFC West power rankings: Seahawks tumble after being exposed by Lions

The Seattle Seahawks, after the first four games of the season, still sit atop the NFC West standings even though the team lost to the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Seattle was without five key injured defensive players and lost another during the game. That does not mean Detroit would not have won the game, though.

Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense played well enough to win. The unit gained 38 first downs and had over 500 yards of total offense. Against many teams, Seattle might have still won, even with all the defensive injuries.

The problem is that Seattle was exposed for the same issues it had in Week 2 against the New England Patriots when Seattle had fewer injuries. The defense struggles to stop the run. If the issue is not fixed quickly, the season might not turn out to be as grand as Seattle's early success implied it might be.

NFC West power rankings through the first four games: Seahawks stumble

4. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

The Cardinals have to be confused about who they are. Heading into the season, the team likely thought their offense would have to drive any success the Cardinals would have this season. Instead, the defense appeared a little bit better than expected, and the offense was just decent. In Week 4, though, every aspect of the team was bad.

Arizona got smashed at home by the Washington Commanders, whose rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, completed 26 of his 30 passes for 233 yards, and he ran for another 47. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray completed 16 of his 22 passes but for a net total of only 115 yards. Arizona looks like they will finish last in the NFC West once again.

3. Los Angeles Rams (1-3)

The Rams are just a shell of themselves at this point. They are missing too many key players offensively to truly be judged too harshly. Once they get healthy again - if they do - then they might be dangerous, but their season might be sunk by that point. LA lost to a young Chicago Bears team still finding its way in Week 4 and the Rams offense could not get much going.

Things do not get easier for the Rams in Week 5 as they play the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay got quarterback Jordan Love back last week, and in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings, Love was excellent. A 1-4 start is a real possibility for Los Angeles.

2. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

One cannot truly compare games most of the time. The difference, however, between the way the 49ers looked against the New England Patriots in Week 4 and the way the Seahawks did in Week 2 was startling. Seattle struggled to stop New England running the ball, and San Francisco blasted the Patriots from the opening quarter.

The Seahawks were missing a lot of key players against the Detroit Lions on Monday, so their defensive performance is a bit misleading. The team was not missing as many players against the Patriots and gave up 185 rushing yards. One can only imagine how many yards the 49ers will have against Seattle in Week 6.

1. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

San Francisco surprisingly stumbled early in 2024, but one could argue that was because of the team's injuries, especially to running back Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers are still better with McCaffrey, but they are a playoff-worthy team without him. Against the Patriots in Week 4, San Francisco also seemed more inspired.

San Francisco got six sacks on Pats quarterback Jacoby Brissett and limited New England to 3.0 yards per rush. San Francisco ran for 148 yards. San Francisco still has the best overall roster in the division, and they are still the favorite to win the NFC West.

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