4 dream scenarios the 49ers would love to have in 2023
By Peter Panacy
49ers dream scenario No. 2: Rest of the NFC West truly sucks
It wasn't long ago when the NFC West was viewed as the NFL's gauntlet division, one in which 2021 produced three playoff teams out of four.
Now, heading into 2023, the same division is watching those Cardinals and Rams undergo rebuilds and retools, effectively leaving both San Francisco and the Seattle Seahawks as the lone two contenders for the NFC West crown.
The Hawks were supposed to be undergoing their own rebuild last year but surprised to the tune of a 9-8 finish and a Wild Card appearance, losing to the 49ers to close out their own 2022 campaign.
The Niners, meanwhile, swept the NFC West during the regular season and beat Seattle in the postseason.
Yet a more favorable outcome would be for San Francisco to not even be threatened within the division whatsoever.
Division winners always get at least one home game during the playoffs and receive a top-four seed within the postseason picture.
Should the rest of the NFC West absolutely stink, the 49ers would be perfectly happy with it.