Early projections have the San Francisco 49ers making the playoffs next season, but everyone knows what the prognosticators say in June doesn’t have much bearing on what will happen in an NFL season.
The Niners have their work cut out for them, but they have a roster on paper that should be talented enough to make it into the postseason.
What about winning the NFC West though? That seems like a bit more of a Herculean task, considering the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are in their division.
It’s not impossible, though, and if the Niners want to take back the NFC West crown next season ,then these three things will have to happen.
49ers must stay healthy
Every team battles injuries, but the 49ers have been especially ravaged by them in recent seasons. They overcame them last year, thanks in part to a fairly easy schedule, but this season will be tougher.
They play tougher teams and are also going to have to play two international games, so staying healthy is going to be of utmost importance. That’s part of why head coach Kyle Shanahan canceled mandatory minicamp since he knows how tough this year is going to be on his players.
If the Niners can get the same injury luck they got back in 2023, then they will have a decent shot to reclaim the division.
Super Bowl hangover for Seattle
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last year in fairly dominant fashion. They clearly had the best defense in the NFL, and their offense was strong enough to compete with anyone.
But teams can often have a bit of a hangover after winning the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles had one last season and did not look like the same dominant team they were in 2024, so perhaps the Seahawks are due for a reckoning like that.
If they are, then the Niners could potentially leapfrog them and compete with the Rams for the division.
Brock Purdy needs to be elite
Quarterback Brock Purdy has proven that when he is on his game, he can be one of the best at his position. Late last season after he returned from his injury, Purdy had some great games against the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears.
If Purdy can play that way more often, then the Niners could be a real juggernaut. He has a shiny new weapon in wide receiver Mike Evans, so there’s a chance that addition can help take Purdy to that next level and prove he belongs in the top-10 of NFL quarterbacks.
Winning the NFC West will not be easy for the 49ers this upcoming season, but if these things go in their favor, they have a shot.
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