NFL power rankings: Preseason rankings for NFC West

The NFL preseason has begun and every team has played at least one game. We have some idea as to what teams will look like competitively in 2026.

NFL.com's Nick Shook has new preseason power rankings. We have to figure that the Arizona Cardinals are fairly low on the list, but let's see what the NFC West as a whole looks like, compared to the entire league.

You've heard the sound bites, read the headlines and drowned in the tidal wave of optimism. The Rams are Lombardi Trophy favorites, seemingly destined for a march to a Super Bowl that will be played in their home stadium, the same location in which they won their last title. It's never that easy, of course, but GM Les Snead has built a monster in Los Angeles. With Myles Garrett trading brown and orange for royal blue and sol, Aaron Donald nearing a potential return from retirement to hop back onto the bandwagon he once captained, and Matthew Stafford coming off an MVP-winning season, this is a year the Rams go for it all. It will be up to them to make it through to the other side of a season-long gauntlet in their attempt to claim the throne.

This is no surprise. With the return of Matthew Stafford, an offense that was fantastic, and with the defensive additions of Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, the Rams are the team to beat in 2026.

The reigning champs lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency, don't yet have his former running mate, Zach Charbonnet, available as he continues on his journey back from a torn ACL, and are placing a lot of backfield responsibility on the likes of rookie Jadarian Price and backup George Holani. Star defender Nick Emmanwori remains on the physically unable to perform list, too, although there's hope Mike Macdonald's ultimate chess piece can return in time for Week 1. Otherwise, everything is great for the Seahawks. Continuity will reign early in 2026, thanks in large part to the return of a familiar starting offensive lineup. The suffocating defense lost some pieces to free agency in the offseason, requiring reinforcement that could be tested, but there's little reason to think the 'Hawks will be anywhere but right back in the thick of the NFC race.

They are the defending champs and have a devastating defense. They have questions but still look very much like a title contender.

I'm likely underrating San Francisco at this stage, but that's why the Power Rankings are performed frequently -- almost as frequently as the visits the 49ers receive from the injury bug. Yes, for yet another year, the Niners are already adjusting to losses. Ricky Pearsall is done for the season, George Kittle is still working back from the Achilles injury he suffered in January, and three other receivers (Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, De'Zhaun Stribling) are battling ailments. The good news: The 49ers still reached the Divisional Round last season despite dealing with a ton of injuries. They're nothing if not experienced in how to endure such challenges.

This feels low, but can they maintain such fortune and win while players are out? Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and George Kittle are on their way back, so they definitely still are one of the most talented teams in the league.

Once you're done sipping the Carson Beck Kool-Aid (I know, it really is refreshing), come take a seat with me and consider where the Cardinals are right now. They're entering 2026 with a veteran bridge quarterback, another respected backup behind him and a rookie who turned heads in the Hall of Fame Game. While it carries a lower ceiling, that scenario suddenly doesn't sound too bad, especially when considering the weaponry Arizona has assembled: newly minted Madden NFL 99 Club member Trey McBride, No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love, former No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and 1,000-yard receiver Michael Wilson. Not bad! Much of the Cards' success will depend on whether they can protect Jacoby Brissett and if they can consistently get stops defensively. But despite this No. 26 ranking, I'm shifting toward a sunnier outlook with this team.

This is higher than expected, as they have been ranked as low as 32nd. But the offense is giving encouragement. There is no such encouragement on defense, as the unit appears to have the same holes they did last year.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL power rankings: Preseason rankings for NFC West