NFL standings: Can 49ers run away with NFC West in 2022?

The 49ers technically hold a one-game lead over the remaining 2-3 teams in the NFC West, but their two divisional wins already count for a lot.

The San Francisco 49ers should be feeling pretty comfortable about all that’s happened over the last two weeks.

For starters, putting a Week 4 beatdown on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football helped make a statement, especially after a frustrating 1-2 start for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad.

And while injuries were a major storyline behind the Niners’ Week 5 win over the Carolina Panthers, the 37-15 finale was indicative of complete domination by a superior team over a weak opponent.

Exactly what Shanahan and Co. needed heading into a tougher stretch of games.

However, the rest of the NFC West all lost their Week 5 games, the Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks all falling to 2-3. And with San Francisco having beaten both LA and Seattle this season, the 49ers’ own 3-2 record essentially means they have a two-game lead over those two squads.

Here are the NFL standings for the NFC West heading into Week 6:

1. San Francisco 49ers: 3-2
2. Arizona Cardinals: 2-3
3. Los Angeles Rams: 2-3
4. Seattle Seahawks: 2-3

It’s still early in the season, yet the Niners can hope those two NFC West victories wind up playing a role in determining whether or not they’ll reclaim the division crown.

And, given some of the struggles seen already by its division rivals over those five weeks, the door is open for San Francisco to take a commanding lead within the NFC West if the team is able to stay hot between now and the halfway point of the season.

Let’s check on some news from around the league.

49ers news from the FanSided network

Niners fans take over Bank of America Stadium vs. Panthers — Alicia de Artola, FanSided

"Can you blame the fans in Carolina for being less than enthusiastic about their team right now? Who really wants to spend money to watch bad football?The acquisition of Baker Mayfield hasn’t solved any of the problems on offense. He’s been no better than their other reclamation project, Sam Darnold."

Rams are going to be a Hollywood flop with this O-line — Matt Verderame, FanSided

"The Rams are 2-3, largely because receiver Cooper Kupp is the team’s only threat. But the biggest issue is the five men in front of Stafford, who give up a weekly beating.Stafford entered the afternoon having been sacked 16 times, with both the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills dropping him seven times. Dallas registered five more sacks, led by Micah Parsons getting home twice."

49ers just ended Panthers head coach Matt Rhule — Peter Panacy, Niner Noise

"In short, the Niners did what they should have done against an inferior opponent and head coach: not let up, fully displaying the disparity between the two squads.While Rhule’s firing might have been inevitable, the fact San Francisco was the one to enforce it says a lot."

49ers news from around the NFL

What we learned from Sunday games on Week 5 — Around the NFL Staff, NFL.com

"The 49ers’ offense won in Week 4 with a shortened game plan that took advantage of a number of screens and banked on a few big plays. This time around, it was all about methodically marching down the field. San Francisco converted 7 of 12 third-down attempts and put together scoring drives of seven, eight, 10 and 12 snaps on Sunday, moving with urgency within those possessions but also using a healthy amount of plays — both short and long — to get the job done."

Kyle Shanahan feels Jason Verrett can fill in for Emmanuel Moseley — David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone

"“If Verrett is good to go, I mean, Verrett’s a big-time corner,” Shanahan shared. “So if Verrett can get these practice reps, and get out there, and get fully healed, and get back into game shape, and get ready to go, he’ll end up being our guy.”Verrett returning to the starting lineup and filling in for Moseley would be a spectacular 49ers storyline."

Jimmy Garoppolo gave efficient outing in 49ers win over Panthers — Akash Anavarathan, Niners Nation

"Garoppolo and the 49ers moved to 17-5 after Sunday’s win when the quarterback didn’t throw an interception. They win 77 percent of the games that Garoppolo starts and doesn’t turn the ball over to the other team — that’s an incredible victory rate.The 49ers’ signal-caller finished with a passer rating of 109.4 on Sunday, which was the fourth-highest of any quarterback that played on Thursday and Sunday."

Can 49ers overcome loss of Emmanuel Moseley? — Jose Luis Sanchez III, Sports Illustrated

"The only way this defense sustains its historical pace is if Jason Verrett is out there soon and can tap into his 2020 form, which will be a tall task. I doubt Verrett will be good to go for the Falcons game as the 49ers will want to keep working him in slowly. The slow integration game is the best course of action with Verrett for the 49ers. They have to ensure he is fully fit when he suits up so he can be ready for the long-haul."