The NFC West is in a dead heat: Examining the four-team race at midseason

Arizona holds the tiebreaker by virtue of its 2 -0 start in NFC West play.

The Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks are all tied at 4-4 , and the Rams are just half a game behind at 3-4 .

Arizona needs to fix some persistent issues -- for example, improving their third -down defense.

The Rams have been hit hard on the offensive line, including Steve Avila , who is on IR .

The 49ers have been outscored by an average of five points per game in four of their four divisional games.

San Francisco has not been good enough at linebacker Dre Greenlaw .

Christian McCaffrey is expected to return for a Nov. 10 game against Tampa Bay .

Quarterback Geno Smith has been solid, but the Seahawks have needed him to be spectacular given all of their shortcomings.

The run defense has remained a weakness even as Seattle 's defense has improved its health up front.

The Seahawks are giving up the fourth -most rushing yards per game ( 148.4 ) and the fifth -highest yards-per-carry average ( 4.9 ) Abraham Lucas' long-awaited return appears to be getting closer.