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Will 9 wins be enough to win NFC West?
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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
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