The 49ers are off in Week 9, but this particular NFC West matchup will carry a lot of interest and weight in the standings.
As was the case in 2022 and 2023, the San Francisco 49ers sorely needed their bye week to hit at the right time.
After getting off to a frustrating 4-4 start to the season, the Niners can take a much-needed break in Week 9 to rest, heal up and prepare for a (hopeful) second-half surge in order to post another deep run in the playoffs.
Currently, San Francisco finds itself in second place within the NFC West, owning the same record as two other divisional foes, the first-place Arizona Cardinals and third-place Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona holds the tiebreaker over the 49ers, currently, thanks to its Week 5 victory at Levi's Stadium, while the Niners beat the Hawks in Week 6 to own that particular tiebreaker.
The Cardinals host the 4-3 Chicago Bears in Week 9, but there's another NFC West showdown San Francisco will be observing closely while it's on the bye.
Rams vs. Seahawks will be of interest to 49ers in Week 9
The Los Angeles Rams are bringing up the NFC West's rear with a 3-4 record.
Having a bye already, and also having beaten the 49ers back in Week 3, LA has largely overcome early injuries on the year and figures to at least make a statement in a hot race for the division lead.
Should Los Angeles beat the Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sunday, head coach Sean McVay's squad would jump into second place at a minimum, bumping Seattle down to fourth place with the Niners dropping a spot into third. If the Cardinals lose to the Bears this weekend, LA would find itself atop the division because of both tiebreakers and win percentage, as Arizona would be 4-5.
Related story: Ranking 4 biggest 'must win' games remaining on 49ers schedule
A Hawks victory over the Rams, however, would keep the latter in the NFC West basement, while Seattle could leap all the way to first place within the division, coupled with a Cardinals loss.
However, if both Arizona and the Seahawks win, the Cardinals would still retain the top spot in the NFC West after Week 9 because of the better divisional record.
Needless to say, there are still plenty of unpredictable outcomes within the NFC West, and it actually might be in the Niners' best interest to do the unthinkable and root for a Hawks victory over another division rival.
Had San Francisco beaten Los Angeles in Week 3, it wouldn't necessarily be that way.