Updated NFC West standings: Seattle Seahawks look to keep season afloat in Week 13

Thanksgiving was another reminder that the Seattle Seahawks have much work to do. The good news, there is over a month of football left. The bad news, they are in the midst of the toughest stretch of their schedule. Lacking an offensive identity, there is no better time than now for Seattle to figure things out and turn their season around. Despite all the bad that has transpired recently, everything they want is still in front of them.

With that said, winning the division is probably out of the equation. Even though we are only entering Week 13, it would take a catastrophic collapse for San Francisco to lose its grip on the division lead. The health of this team will ultimately determine how far of a run they can make. I do not think Brock Purdy is the MVP, but, when he has all of his surrounding pieces on the field, this is a very difficult team to beat.

As for the Los Angeles Rams, winners of two straight, they are alive and well in the NFC Wild Card race. Although their schedule isn't going to be doing them any favors, this is quite impressive given the roster turnover this team experienced in the offseason. For Arizona, they inch closer to a top 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as each week passes.

Week 13 NFC West standings: Seahawks still in Wild Card contention

The San Francisco 49ers have won three straight in dominant fashion. The Thanksgiving win over the Seahawks strengthened their grip on the division. However, this weekend will be their ultimate test in a NFC Championship rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles. If the 49ers win this game, they enter the conversation of earning home-field advantage. If they lose, they will more likely than not still host a playoff game.

I am expecting to see an angry Seattle Seahawks team on Thursday Night in Dallas. This is a team who lost their fourth straight game to a division rival whom they've been planning and chasing for the last 10 months. Dallas is undefeated at home this season and has won 13 straight in Jerry's World. This will be no easy task, but as a big underdog on the road under the bright lights, I think Pete Carroll is going to have his team in the right mindset. This isn't do-or-die for Seattle, but pretty darn close.

Although I've been impressed with Los Angeles, I think many are making too much of their Week 12 victory. They've dominated the Cardinals ever since McVay became head coach. Their true test comes this weekend against one of the NFL's best defenses, the Cleveland Browns. A win and Seahawks loss will have the Rams in the playoff picture for the first time. A loss, however, and their playoff hopes diminished greatly.

The combination of quarterback depth in this upcoming draft class and cap hit that Kyler Murray carries, gives me reason to believe he will not be traded in the off-season. In fact, the more Arizona loses, the more they win. A top pick in this draft can help them acquire a generational talent, say the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. Not to mention the other draft capital Arizona has gained via trades. Regardless of the fact that I expect them to lose Sunday, this team is heading in the right direction.

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