Since Brock Purdy took over as starting quarterback in 2022, the San Francisco 49ers have been in discussions as a potential championship contender. Last year, the team fell short due to a variety of issues, mainly injuries.
For more than two decades, the Niners have either missed the playoffs or played in the NFC Championship game. They have never been bounced in the opening rounds of the postseason during that span.
The last time San Francisco failed to make the NFC Championship game during a playoff run was in 2002 when they lost in the Divisional Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One CBS reporter says that won't happen again this year.
John Breech released his rankings and predictions for all 32 NFL teams, including his favorite to win it all this year. He selected the San Francisco 49ers as that team.
What prompted the high optimism for the 49ers' Super Bowl prediction?
Breech likens a few factors that work in favor of San Francisco heading into the 2025 NFL regular season. For starters, he recognizes that they have the easiest strength of schedule.
He also goes on to point out that the 49ers are healthier this season than last. Wide receiver may be one of the few exceptions, but running back Christian McCaffrey is rested and ready for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
According to the CBS reporter, "The last time Purdy had a mostly healthy roster came in 2023 when he finished fourth in the MVP voting after an impressive season that saw him throw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns."
He went on to say that "Purdy doesn't get the respect he probably deserves, and that's mostly because he plays in Kyle Shanahan's quarterback-friendly offense. However, this is going to be the year where everyone finally agrees that Purdy is a top-seven quarterback in the NFL."
All the more reason for Breech to expect the 49ers starting quarterback Purdy to be named the Most Valuable Player. It would be the first MVP by a San Francisco player since Steve Young did it in 1994. That was also the last season that the 49ers won a Super Bowl.
For those who are unfamiliar with Breech's previous NFL predictions, he did predict the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC West Division in 2024. For the 49ers and their fan base, lets hope this reporter is correct, again.