For the second consecutive week, the Seahawks found themselves in a pivotal NFC West matchup. And for the second consecutive week, Seattle picked up a massive win. The Seahawks took over first place in the division by beating the Cardinals at home 16-6. With the result, both teams moved to 6-5; however, Seattle has a leg up on Arizona after the Week 12 game.
The NFC West is no easy group, with all four teams hoping to find their way into the playoffs. So, how big was the Seahawks’ performance in Week 12 over the Cardinals? Mike Macdonald’s team handed Jonathan Gannon’s squad its first loss against an NFC West foe this season, snapping the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak. It marked the first time this season Seattle put together back-to-back wins since ripping off a three-game winning streak to start the year.
With the loss, the Cardinals dropped out of first place. While both teams are now at 6-5, the Seahawks own the head-to-head tiebreaker after Sunday’s win. Arizona has a chance to knot up the tiebreaker when the two meet again in Week 14. It’s the first of two meetings between the two rivals, and Arizona won’t have to wait long to aim for redemption. The Cardinals host the Seahawks in two weeks during Week 14.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks have a challenging schedule but are riding high after their recent success. In addition to another date with Arizona, Seattle will close out the season with a divisional matchup against Los Angeles. Geno Smith and Co. own a 2-2 record against NFC West opponents this season, and they’ll be looking to improve that as the playoffs approach.
Before Week 11, the Seahawks were in last place in the division while the Cardinals were sitting pretty at the top. It’s all been flipped since. The Rams currently sit in third place at 5-6. Los Angeles has three more division games, one each against San Francisco, Seattle, and Arizona. Meanwhile, the 49ers fell again for the second consecutive week, losing to the Packers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco is only 5-6 and still very much in the divisional race, with pivotal matchups against Los Angeles and Arizona left on the schedule.
Here’s a look at how the Seattle win impacted the NFC West standings:
NFC West standings
| Team | Record |
| Seahawks | 6-5 |
| Cardinals | 6-5 |
| Rams | 5-6 |
| 49ers | 5-6 |
The loss to Seattle marked the first one against an NFC West rival for Arizona, dropping the team to 2-1 in that category. There are dates with each of its three divisional counterparts coming up on the schedule, including back-to-back games against the Rams and 49ers to end the campaign.
Cardinals remaining schedule
| Week | Opponent |
| 13 | at Vikings |
| 14 | vs. Seahawks |
| 15 | vs. Patriots |
| 16 | at Panthers |
| 17 | at Rams |
| 18 | vs. 49ers |
The 49ers, despite their recent struggles, still have a chance to turn things around. They need to capitalize on their remaining games, especially with matchups against division rivals looming.
Seahawks remaining schedule
| Week | Opponent |
| 13 | at Jets |
| 14 | at Cardinals |
| 15 | vs. Packers |
| 16 | vs. Vikings |
| 17 | at Bears |
| 18 | at Rams |
The Rams have a tough road ahead as well. They need to win crucial games to stay in the playoff hunt, and their upcoming matchups will be critical.
Rams remaining schedule
| Week | Opponent |
| 13 | at Saints |
| 14 | vs. Bills |
| 15 | at 49ers |
| 16 | at Jets |
| 17 | vs. Cardinals |
| 18 | vs. Seahawks |
As we look toward the final stretch of the season, every game counts. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable. Will the Seahawks maintain their momentum? Can the Cardinals bounce back and reclaim their spot at the top? The answers will unfold in the coming weeks, and fans across the league are eager to see how this thrilling NFC West race will play out.
