Well, 2 of the last 5 Conference champions were from the NFC West, and 6 of the last 6 NFC West champions have won at least one playoff game, so I don't think they're exactly wasting a spot.
/On a side note, I hope the Rams do end up being the West champs. Mainly because the other three teams have spent the last year or so going backwards. The Rams look like the only team in that wasteland that look like they actually want to play football this year.