5 rival teams 49ers would love to see fail miserably in 2022
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers are hoping they’re a good team in 2022. They’re also hoping these five rival teams are bad in 2022. It truly is that simple.
The more bad teams out there, the easier it is for your own team to be good.
The San Francisco 49ers are supposed to be a good team in 2022. Yes, they’re making a major transition under center with quarterback Trey Lance now taking over, and there are some notable question marks here and there around the roster.
But, in a weakened NFC, the path to getting back into the postseason should be considerably easier than it was a year ago, especially with the NFC West weakened as a whole from its once-dominant standing as the NFL’s toughest division.
Some of the Niners’ chief rivals remain an obstacle to the 2022 postseason picture, while others have taken a notable fall from grace.
Either way and especially from the fanbase’s perspective, San Francisco would love nothing more but to see these five rival squads endure a forgettable season this year.
49ers rival No. 5: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers assuredly are going to be one of those obstacles to the 49ers making the postseason, and while any team with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to be in contention, there are nevertheless concerns about just how effective their offense will be in the wake of trading away Rodgers’ favorite target, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, to the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason and replacing him with 2022 rookie wideout Christian Watson.
Nevertheless, the Packers enjoyed a quality NFL Draft class, including Watson, but the offensive line could be in trouble after losing veteran center Corey Linsley and bidding farewell to pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith.
The Niners don’t have to play the Packers this season, at least not between Weeks 1 and 17, but they’ll be watching from afar nonetheless, hoping Green Bay doesn’t even get into the playoffs by some crazy outcome.
While it’s true, the Niners have had Rodgers’ number in the postseason over his career, it’d be more ideal if Green Bay suddenly crashed back to earth and slogged its way through the entirety of 2022 in a scenario where nothing seems to work right.