Do the 49ers have what it takes to win nine games?
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Over the past three seasons, the division winners of the NFC West have had mediocre records entering the playoffs. In 2006, the Seahawks entered the playoffs with a 9-7 record. The following year, the Seahawks made it back with a 10-6 record. Last year, the Cardinals made it with a 9-7 record.
Obviously, it looks like that the division is really winnable. Unlike divisions like the NFC East, a 9-7 record could win the division.
However, even though the last three years have been filled with mediocre division winners, could the competition be a little tougher this season?
The Cardinals will definitely be a challenge. After almost winning Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals look like they haven't missed a step this off-season. They retained Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald looks to be a bigger beast than ever before. The team still might not be with Anquan Boldin, but their running game has gotten stronger.
The Cardinals have gone through some coaching changes, but overall, they are the team to beat. Can the Cardinals produce another 9-win season?
The other team that I feel the 49ers have to watch out for are the Seahawks. A healthy Matt Hasselbeck, running game and defense could make it tougher for the 49ers.
Remember that Hasselbeck didn't play for a good portion of last season. With Jim Mora, Jr. now as the head coach, the Hawks will definitely preach defense. Rookie LB Aaron Curry would be a beast if all the hype around him meets up top the expectations.
The Hawks also signed free agent stud TJ Houshmandzadeh. The 49ers will have their hands full trying to cover him.
I don't know if the Seahawks can finish 9-7, but they are no pushover team. They can definitely decide the fate of the 49ers' quest to win the division.
The 49ers might need 10 wins to take the division crown. And 10 wins is a minimum. Last year, the Cardinals showed their resilience and managed through the playoffs despite falling into the playoffs. For the 49ers, they can't afford anything like that. I know that Mike Singletary won't allow them to slack off.
But in this division where it more than likely will be between the Cardinals and 49ers, they might end up having to win games outside of the division to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. They might end up splitting a lot of in-division games.
Nine wins might not be enough. It has in the past, but the division has gotten a little tougher. Ten wins might be enough, but let's hope that the 49ers just keep winning.
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
Comments
This is a pretty weak post, yeah, you have to win some ball games to make the playoffs, duh. The niners were a few blown calls(from their own sideline) from making the playoffs, but the loss to Philly and Miami were both on the inexcusable level. I don't even want to bring up the end of game debacle against the Red Birds, but ish happens. The great thing about football is that every single game counts, you don't have 162 to make up for some mistakes.
Sam, you need to put some meet in your postings, granted it is the offseason and there really isn't a lot to write about, but when that happens...don't write fluff, thanks.
No disrespect intended, I usually like your postings
Who ever would of thought that a rivalry between SF and AZ would ever happen? Can't wait to see what happens when we face the cards next year.
I believe (and I'm sure I'm not alone) that if we had started Shaun Hill in the beginning of the season that we would have made the playoffs. Yeah... thanks for that one, Nolan.
I am all for Shaun Hill, and I believe he is our X factor this year. He just always seems to turn his game up during the 4th quarter.
This year, we are free of Martz's crooked idea of how a running game is supposed to work, so as long as we have a decent blocking fullback, Gore should have another 1000+ yard year. That, combined with a QB that plays his best on those game winning drives, will hopefully be able to lead us past the cards for the division title.
9-7 sounds about right for next year. With such a young receiver core, our passing targets are only going to get better.
Samual, you're right. Ten wins may get them into the playoff. But there a lot of ifs. Division wins, Line protection, turnovers and so on. Lets see how well the players are prepared.
Go ahead and write off Seattle. You'll be pulling your foot out of your mouth in January.
This blog could use a bit more insight, examples, quotes, statistics, etc. The 49ers should not be taken seriously until they earn their place as a decent team. Until they prove otherwise, they are a bottom feeder organization (albeit sporting a distant glorious past). The 49ers are not contenders even in the woeful NFC West because of the following:
Revolving door at Offensive Coordinator
3rd string level QB's
1st year head coach
Aging Gore
Perhaps the worst stadium in the league
Inept front office
These might change and the 49ers might be decent with their talented defense, but it is a bit early to claim they are any better than the Rams, let alone put them anywhere near the class of the Cardinals or Seahawks.
NFC WEST will be a better division than last year no doubt. Other than the Rams, it's anybody's to win. BUT don't let Seattle's record from last year fool you, they could be scary if health isn't an issue again this year.
For the most part, the 49ers and Cardinals were the two best teams last year in the division. They should be considered to contend for the title this year again. However, if the Hawks are healthy, they can make it back to contention. I'm not writing them off at all.
Looking at the division's previous few seasons, 9 wins seems to be just enough. This year, there might be a higher mark of wins for the team since I see clear improvement in all the teams of the division.
The niners need to have an above .500 season before they start talking about 10 wins. The Rams and the Hawks are a ton better this year. Rams are the youngest team in the NFL and will get better as the season progresses. Especially with studs on the OLine drafted the last 2 years and Jackson running behind them.
And the Hawks were a shadow of themselves because of injuries all last season and they still managed to split with the Niners. With health, Housh (and all their receivers back), the first string OLine in (lost the entire starting line last season, Curry, and 900 more lbs on the Dline (plus Kearny healthy), they will be a force to recon with. Oh... and Hasselbeck is healthy. Almost forgot the best QB in the NFC west is back.
And the Cards have not lost a step. They are the same team as last year with a new rookie running back.
You really think the Niners have a chance??? They have a couple more years of top 10 drafting to do before they r able to compete.
The NFC West has been the weakest division in football since 2003 and present but, now you can add the AFC West as the second weakest. With new offensive cordinator Jimmy Rave we should see more of a running attack Frank Gore should have 1000 + yard season. The wide out core Michael Crabtree line him up as a inside slot man which will allow him to get the ball out in space, line out Josh Morgan and Isaac Bruce at the top and bottom. Give Vernon Davis the ball out in space. Damon Huard will be a third sting quarterback. The Quarterback battle Shaun Hill vs. Alex Smith who ever the Quarterback is better get tds in the redzone instead of field goals will not cut it. The Defense should be solid. To win the division 9 games at the most will win the division 8 games at the least to win the division.
This whole article would be 100% irrelevant (rather than the 70% it is now) if not for all the injuries that plagued the Seahawks last year. San Fran's QBs are the least talented in the division. Furthermore, it's poor decision-making from ownership/management that wasted the NUMBER ONE pick on a system QB from a mid-major conference. They could have had Aaron Rodgers. How about Derek Anderson in the 6th round or Matt Cassel in the 7th? If it weren't for Gore, that draft would be classified as a huge bust. As it stands, let's call it a Dolly Parton.
But unfounded optimism can be a positive trait so keep on writing in your fantasy-land, Sam Lam, while you enjoy your verdant eggs and ham....
....Heck, Matt Leinart would be starting in San Francisco without a doubt! Well, perhaps a little doubt.
Anyone who thinks the Rams will be contenders needs to look up rebuilding in the dictionary. 49ers had the best defense in the division last year. Seahawks will be better, but they still don't have a very good backfield. Cards are still tops but anyone thinking that the Seahawks are getting any younger and more dominant needs to look at themselves in the mirror. It is about time for the 49ers to emerge
Where are the hawks old? Jones at OT, and Safety. Hass has 2 years left before I would consider him nearing the end.
The rest of the OLine is all under 25. The DLine outside of Kerny is under 25. The LBs are all under 25 and signed to 5+ years. The CBs are all under 25. So there are basically 4 players on the squad that are considered near the end.
Everyone says the hawks are old... They don't know what they are talking about.
Tatupu, Hill, Trufant, Carlson, Burleson, Branch, Housh. These are all guys with a lot of years left to play at a high level and they are all top level talent.
"But in this division where it more than likely will be between the Cardinals and 49ers, they might end up having to win games outside of the division to separate themselves from the rest of the pack."
Have the last few years been tight races to the playoffs between SF and AZ? UUUMMMM, nope. Assuming that this division will "more than likely" be a race between SF and AZ is a joke. Just like this post and your writing ability.
I am saving this link so I can laugh at you when the Seahawks win the division and the race to the division crown is between the Cards and SEA. How after 7 strait losing seasons 9er fans can think the road to the NFCW crown goes through them is beyond me.
You seahawks fans are tripping.
"How after 7 strait losing seasons 9er fans can think the road to the NFCW crown goes through them is beyond me."
Hope you seahawks fans have enjoyed your crown. You won it how many times without bringing home the big one?
Anyway, your team is weak. Your qb is not that good. Sorry... but we'll be the ones laughing.
Long live the 9ers.
49er fans are the ones that are tripping. There won't be a division winner coming from the bay for probably another decade. Crabtree is good, but with no one to get the ball to him, he won't make a difference. The best QB in the Bay area (& that is not saying much at this point) is named Russell. Silly, silly niners! Hey, at least you guys got good sourdough bread-bowl clam chowder, a really really really winding road, and lots of rainbow flags! Morons.
I really get a kick out of the excessive optimism from Niner and AZ fans. The only way the Seahawks do NOT crush the entire division is if they get taken down by injury again. I live in San Francisco and would love to see my cities team win, but please people, be realistic. The Seahawks are the best team in the NFC West, easily. AZ fluked their way into the playoffs last year, it wont happen again
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