These 4 NFC teams are better than the 49ers right now
By Peter Panacy
No. 3 team better than 49ers: Green Bay Packers
Notable offseason additions: WR Sammy Watkins, LB Quay Walker*, DT Devonte Wyatt*, WR Christian Watson*
Notable offseason losses: WR Devante Adams, EDGE Za’Darius Smith, OT Billy Turner
The 49ers can still brag about being able to defeat the Green Bay Packers in the divisional playoff round last season, but let’s not chalk that up to the Niners being the vastly superior team.
If anything, Green Bay’s own special teams shortcomings highlighted San Francisco’s win there, although we should give credit to both squad’s defensive prowess during that particular postseason matchup.
On paper, the Packers are a shade worse entering 2022 after losing All-Pro wide receiver Devante Adams via trade to the Las Vegas Raiders, and having to bid farewell to EDGE Za’Darius Smith will hurt the pass rush.
The hope for Green Bay is one of the 49ers’ NFL Draft crushes, North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson, will make up for Adams’ loss in time.
Still, we can’t get around the reality back-to-back MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers vastly improves his team’s playoff chances any given year. And despite his own playoff shortcomings, Rodgers is the reason why Green Bay perennially wins 12 or 13 games per season.
Nothing has changed here, the Packers are still a top-contending favorite for the NFC Championship crown in 2022.