The NFC West has been solid for a long time, but the top teams often change. The division doesn't truly have down years, and normally, a couple of teams battle for the division crown. The Seattle Seahawks have certainly been one of those teams for many of the last 15 years.
But even while Seattle has been one of the more consistent teams since 2010, the Los Angeles Rams, even when not great, have been a thorn in the Seahawks' side. 2024 was a great example of that. The Rams' Week 9 victory against Seattle was ultimately what was needed to take the NFC West, even though Seattle finished with the same 10-7 record.
Los Angeles is dealing with a real problem now, though. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is having back issues, and he cannot participate in training camp for the foreseeable future. The team sees him as week-to-week, not day-to-day. Stafford is tough, however, and come Week 1, he will almost certainly be under center.
The question is for how long?
Matthew Stafford's back issues could be good for the Seattle Seahawks
Playing with any kind of injury is difficult, obviously. A back issue for a quarterback is a real problem, though. Stafford will hurt when he throws, and he will be in pain when he runs, and when he gets hit by a rushing defensive player, he will really feel it.
The quarterback's back problems are not going to go away, either. He is 37 years old, has been in the NFL for 16 years, and has taken a lot of punishment. Stafford might have back pain for years, and if he can't practice in training camp, where quarterbacks don't get hit, how long will he play once the real games begin?
Stafford's backups with the Rams are Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay is a great enough coach that he probably can make any quarterback decent, but there is a precipitous drop-off between Stafford and the next two. Stafford is tough, and while he makes mistakes, he makes big-time throws when needed.
Jimmy G has lost any faith an NFL team has had in him by being the opposite. He tends to make awful decisions late in tight games. Bennett was taken in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft and hasn't yet played a down.
To be sure, the Los Angeles Rams are probably simply playing Matthew Stafford's health issues safely. He is a veteran who won't miss much by not practicing. But how long he lasts in the 2025 season is in question. His absence could be enough for the Seattle Seahawks to win the NFC West.