The Seahawks have risen to first place — by doing nothing.

The same Texans Seattle beat last week at Lumen Field dominated the beat-up 49ers for much of Houston’s 26-15 win at home over San Francisco Sunday.

That defeat dropped the 49ers to 5-3. The Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams are both 5-2.

Seattle now leads the NFC West because of the Seahawks’ marginally better division record so far, 1-1 to the Rams’ 0-1. Seattle and L.A. have yet to play each other, so the head-to-head tiebreaker does not yet apply. Both teams have lost a game to San Francisco. Seattle lost to the 49ers at home in week one, then won at division-rival Arizona in week four. Seahawks’ next

The Seahawks were to return to practice Monday to begin preparing for their game Sunday night at Washington.

The Commanders were 3-4 entering their game Sunday night at Kansas City. They were playing that game with veteran Marcus Mariota starting at quarterback for injured Jayden Daniels. Daniels, who led Washington to the NFC championship game last January, was missing the Kansas City game with a hamstring injury.

Reports out of the DC area this weekend have indicated the team believes Daniels will miss only one game and expects him to play against Seattle next weekend.

The Seahawks are expecting three recently injured starters to return to their defense for the Washington game. Coach Mike Macdonald said last week the plan is for Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Pro Bowl safety Julian Love and edge-rushing linebacker Derick Hall to practice this week with the intent to play against the Commanders.

Witherspoon has missed five of Seattle’s seven games with a bruised knee ligament. Love has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. Hall injured his oblique in week five against Tampa Bay and has missed the last two games.