10 reasons the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC West in 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Rams may be favored to win the NFC West in 2018. But let’s take a look at 10 reasons why the San Francisco 49ers wind up pulling off this accolade this season.

Yes, the San Francisco 49ers could win the NFC West in 2018.

This would stand in contrast to the idea the reloaded and bulked-up Los Angeles Rams should take home the division. One top-betting odds site has L.A. minus-130 favorites to return as division champs this season. And based off the Rams’ 11-5 finish last year, quarterback Jared Goff’s maturation, running back Todd Gurley’s MVP-like year and a slew of talent added this offseason, it’s not hard to understand why.

But what if the Niners pull off an upset? What would it take to make that happen?

It’s not as far-fetched as you might think. There’s a reason why other odds makers have the 49ers strongly in a playoff hunt. And it’s not just quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the five-game win streak he helped San Francisco engineer at the end of last season.

Yet it’s fully reasonable to see the 49ers actually overtake the Rams this upcoming season. Not saying that will be easy or even likely. Instead, there’s a chance of it happening. And a good one.

So what would it take for San Francisco to pull off this oh-so difficult task in 2018?

If the Niners do so, here are 10 reasons why.

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