The optimist in us says that going from worst to first can and has happened. Just look at last year’s Dallas Cowboys. But the pessimist says the San Francisco 49ers are still a few years away from contending with a roster that still needs some juggling. There’s also an issue with continuity among the coaching staff with the Niners working on their fourth head guy in as many years. The last two weren’t right for the position, but the Niners may have found their man in Kyle Shanahan, who needs to work wonders with an offense that couldn’t score last season.
NFC West Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks -350
Arizona Cardinals +300
Los Angeles Rams +1200
San Francisco 49ers +1800
Why the San Francisco 49ers Will Win the NFC West
It would take something like a miracle for the Niners to win the West and that’s why they are the longshot in the division at +1800. The guys are pros and being picked to be one of the worst teams in the league stings. Shanahan and new GM John Lynch have successful background in previous endeavors and that will serve the team well.
They will use their preseason ranking as a rallying point and with nothing to lose they could be a scary team. Winning in the NFL is about scoring points and the Niners were one of the worst at doing that last season. They finished 27th in the league with an average of 19.3 points per game and they were next to last in total offense with just 308 yards per contest.
Shanahan was the mastermind behind the Falcons top-ranked offensive unit last season and should add another dimension. Gone are quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, replaced by Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkely. The new duo had better numbers while playing as teammates in Chicago last season.
While the offense was bad the defense was worse. The Niners were dead last in yards allowed, surrendering over 406 per game. Lynch was a hard-nosed safety in his playing days and he upgraded the defense in the draft by taking Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster in the first round.
If Shanahan can work his magic with the offense and the youngsters on defense, including DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, their top picks from the previous two drafts, can stop somebody, the Niners could surprise some folks. They have a schedule with only five playoff teams from last season that could lead to more victories if things come together.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Won't Win the NFC West
The biggest issue facing the Niners is that their roster just isn’t as good as that of the Seahawks or Cardinals, and may not be as gifted as the Rams. There is a plan in place, but it will likely take a few more seasons to develop.
Shanahan did a wonderful job with the Falcons last season, directing a group that led the NFL in scoring and came within one sustained second half drive of winning the Super Bowl. But the young coach doesn’t have Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freemon on the roster. Instead he has Brian Hoyer, Pierre Garcon and Carlos Hyde. That’s not a threesome that invokes fear in opposing defenses.
And speaking of defense, the Niners had very little last season and a couple of rookies aren’t going to make the unit that much better. Realistically, the Niners are looking to improve on their 2-14 last season and make progress towards returning to the top of the division. That’s not going to happen with Hoyer running the offense and the Niners won’t win the division.
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