NFC West schedule breakdown: The toughest four-game stretches in 2026

Not all stretches during an NFL season are created equal. A favorable month can launch a playoff push. A brutal one can bury a team before Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge. 

Let's examine the most difficult four-game stretches for each NFC West team — the gauntlets that could define division races, shape playoff hopes and, in some cases, determine whether coaches and QBs enter the offseason under pressure.

Arizona Cardinals

Weeks 8-11: at Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 1), at Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 8), vs. Los Angeles Rams (Nov. 15), at Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 22) | The Cardinals are tied for the league’s third-toughest schedule, per CBS Sports’ John Breech, and you do not have to take a hard look at their opponents to see why. Three road games in a four-week span against the Cowboys, Seahawks and Chiefs are sure to test them, while the only home game during that stretch is an NFC West tilt against the Rams.

As difficult as Arizona’s schedule is, it is fair to question if it will even have a win by the time it gets to that gauntlet in Weeks 8-11, maybe aside from a Week 4 meeting with the New York Giants. Even if the Cardinals break into the win column by then, an explosive Cowboys offense from last season, two divisional foes and a healthier Patrick Mahomes will be hard to overcome.

Los Angeles Rams

Weeks 12-15: vs. Green Bay Packers (Nov. 25), vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 3), at San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 13), vs. Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 20) | The Rams have gone all in on the 2026 season with the addition of All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, but that does not mean a tough road awaits them. That is especially evident in Weeks 12-15 with back-to-back prime-time games against the Packers in the inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game and the Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football.” 

Before a home tilt with the Cowboys two weeks later, the Rams have to face the 49ers on the road in what could be a pivotal game in the NFC West race at that point in the season. FanDuel lists the Rams (+550) as Super Bowl favorites as of Friday, June 5, but it is not going to be an easy path to get there.

San Francisco 49ers

Weeks 14-17: vs. Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 13), at Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 17), at Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 27), vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Jan. 3) | The 49ers have a favorable schedule when you look consider each of their opponents’ combined winning percentage (.497) from last season. With that said, they will face a significant challenge in Weeks 14-17, beginning with a home tilt against the Rams, a "TNF" road game at the Chargers, a road trip to Kansas City and a meeting with the Eagles on “Sunday Night Football.” Those four games will have a huge say in their postseason outlook and NFC West chances.

Seattle Seahawks

Weeks 5-8: vs. San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 11), at Denver Broncos (Oct. 15), vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 25), vs. Chicago Bears (Nov. 2) | If the defending champions are going to contend for a second straight Lombardi Trophy, there will be some tough stretches along the way. The most challenging one will come in Weeks 5-8 when the Seahawks host the 49ers and play three prime-time games in a row against the Broncos, Chiefs and Bears. How the Seahawks fare during that brutal stretch will be a good indicator of what they are capable of in their title defense.