Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
49ers Bid to Become First Team to 3-Peat in NFC West in Nearly Two Decades
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 months ago on
September 1, 2024

The 49ers, led on offense by running back Christian McCaffrey, seek to become the first team since 2007 to win the NFC West three consecutive years. (AP File)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SAN FRANCISCO – The NFC West has been a one-team show the past two years with the San Francisco 49ers winning every game against their division rivals, except when they rested their starters.

The 49ers are trying to join the 2018 New England Patriots as just the second team in the last 50 years to win it all a season after losing the Super Bowl.

If the Niners want to become the first team to win the NFC West three straight years since Seattle did it from 2004-07, it could be a much tougher challenge. The bottom half of the division looks much improved and San Francisco has spent the offseason dealing with contract disputes and a bit of a hangover from losing the Super Bowl.

Three straight seasons of playing into late January or early February and the disappointment of losing in the conference title game or Super Bowl in three straight seasons can take a toll. The 49ers are trying to join the 2018 New England Patriots as just the second team in the last 50 years to win it all a season after losing the Super Bowl.

“The only thing to do is to go right back at it because I’m going to year eight and it’s not like the opportunity is completely gone,” All-Pro tight end George Kittle said. “I have another shot this entire season. All I can do is focus on this season and what I can do every single day, make myself better, helping this team along. The fun thing too is we have a really good team.”

Talented Team Faces Challenges

The 49ers do have the most talented team in the division, but have been dealing with a trying offseason because of contract disputes with stars Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk. San Francisco agreed to a deal with Aiyuk on Thursday and still needs to resolve the situation with Williams before the start of the season. The offense features several other stars led by Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Kittle.

But the competition could be tough. The Los Angeles Rams could have one of the most prolific offenses if Cooper Kupp is healthy to team with 2023 breakout stars Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams as playmakers around Matthew Stafford.

Seattle will have a fresh look defensively under new coach Mike Macdonald and a potent offense if the the Seahawks can get even adequate line play after being plagued by injuries last season.

Arizona showed promise in coach Jonathan Gannon’s first season after quarterback Kyler Murray returned and could be a plucky team with Murray’s playmaking and talented rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the way.

Tumultuous Offseason for 49ers

The offseason was far from smooth for the 49ers with contract issues hovering over the franchise. Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program as he seeks a long-term extension to replace his fifth-year option and then has refused to practice during training camp. That was finally resolved when Aiyuk agreed to an extension 11 days before the opener but now San Francisco has to hope that the time away doesn’t impact Aiyuk early in the season.

Williams has been a holdout all summer as he seeks an improved deal to reflect his status as the league’s top offensive lineman after three straight All-Pro selections.

With Williams anchoring the line, the Niners have perhaps the top offense in the league. If he is missing or rusty, scoring could prove to be more difficult. That would put pressure on new coordinator Nick Sorensen’s defense to make up for it.

Seahawks’ New-Look Defense

The Seahawks had a major coaching overhaul with Pete Carroll leaving after 14 seasons and Macdonald coming in with new schemes and fresh ideas. Change was needed after Seattle finished 25th in points allowed in each of the past two seasons as Carroll’s once innovative style struggled to succeed without the talent from the famed Legion of Boom.

Macdonald led one of the top defenses in the game in Baltimore and teams throughout the league looked for his former assistants to implement his schemes that rely on disguised coverages to fool quarterbacks and simulated pressures that stress the QB without using too many pass rushers.

The question remains if there’s enough talent in Seattle — especially on the pass rush — to make it work.

Rams’ Offensive Potential

Coach Sean McVay’s offense for the Rams should be one of the best with Stafford still playing at a high level at age 36, a fortified offensive line in free agency and plenty of playmakers.

The big question comes on defense, where the Rams need to replace retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald on a unit sorely lacking in star power.

There’s no one player who can make up for Donald’s impact. He opened up opportunities for others by getting double- and triple-teamed and still managed to dominate on his own.

Byron Young and Kobie Turner had strong rookie seasons on the line in 2023 as they benefited from all the attention on Donald. Repeating that won’t be as easy this season but they do get some help as Los Angeles spent its first two draft picks on Florida State teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.

Cardinals’ Offensive Potential

The Cardinals showed flashes of what they can do offensively in the second half of last season when Murray returned from a torn ACL. After losing eight of nine games to open the season, Arizona went 3-5 with Murray.

Murray wasn’t quite back to the electrifying form from his impressive 2021 season but now is even healthier and has a far better offense around him.

Harrison should provide a boost on the outside as Arizona lacked a true No. 1 receiver. Tight end Trey McBride had a breakout season with 81 catches and Michael Wilson looks to build on a strong rookie season as the No. 2 receiver this year.

Coordinator Drew Petzing had a creative run game led by James Conner’s 1,000-yard season that could be better this year if Murray is more of a rushing threat.

The defense still needs work but Arizona seems headed in the right direction.

Predicted order of finish: 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Used Popular Game ‘Among Us’ to Exploit Minor Pled Guilty

DON'T MISS

Fresno Nonprofit CEO Sandra Celedon Files to Run for Assembly

DON'T MISS

Ontario Slaps 25% Tax Increase on Electricity Exports to US in Response to Trump’s Trade War

DON'T MISS

Bakersfield Man Who Made Bomb Found Near Community Pool Pleads Guilty

DON'T MISS

Fresno City Attorney Janz Launches Probe Into Attack Campaign Mailer

DON'T MISS

New Atmospheric River Expected to Boost Sierra Snowpack

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Two and Seize 15 Firearms in Gang-Related Investigation

DON'T MISS

The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA

DON'T MISS

LA District Attorney Says He Won’t Support Resentencing the Menendez Brothers

DON'T MISS

Study Tells CA Legislators to Declare War on Red Tape. Will They Do It?

UP NEXT

Fresno Nonprofit CEO Sandra Celedon Files to Run for Assembly

UP NEXT

Ontario Slaps 25% Tax Increase on Electricity Exports to US in Response to Trump’s Trade War

UP NEXT

Bakersfield Man Who Made Bomb Found Near Community Pool Pleads Guilty

UP NEXT

Fresno City Attorney Janz Launches Probe Into Attack Campaign Mailer

UP NEXT

New Atmospheric River Expected to Boost Sierra Snowpack

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Two and Seize 15 Firearms in Gang-Related Investigation

UP NEXT

LA District Attorney Says He Won’t Support Resentencing the Menendez Brothers

UP NEXT

Study Tells CA Legislators to Declare War on Red Tape. Will They Do It?

UP NEXT

Visalia Men Arrested for Homicide After Deadly Attack at Apartment Complex

UP NEXT

Visalia Head-On Crash Kills One, Leaves One Injured

Bakersfield Man Who Made Bomb Found Near Community Pool Pleads Guilty

13 hours ago

Fresno City Attorney Janz Launches Probe Into Attack Campaign Mailer

14 hours ago

New Atmospheric River Expected to Boost Sierra Snowpack

14 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Two and Seize 15 Firearms in Gang-Related Investigation

16 hours ago

The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA

16 hours ago

LA District Attorney Says He Won’t Support Resentencing the Menendez Brothers

17 hours ago

Study Tells CA Legislators to Declare War on Red Tape. Will They Do It?

17 hours ago

Visalia Men Arrested for Homicide After Deadly Attack at Apartment Complex

17 hours ago

Visalia Head-On Crash Kills One, Leaves One Injured

18 hours ago

Washington Post Columnist Quits After Her Opinion Piece Criticizing Owner Is Rejected

18 hours ago

Fresno Man Used Popular Game ‘Among Us’ to Exploit Minor Pled Guilty

A Fresno man pleaded guilty Monday to sexually exploiting a minor, admitting he coerced a 15-year-old in Missouri into sending explicit imag...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

Fresno Man Used Popular Game ‘Among Us’ to Exploit Minor Pled Guilty

13 hours ago

Fresno Nonprofit CEO Sandra Celedon Files to Run for Assembly

People wave flags and hold signs during a protest outside of the U.S embassy in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
13 hours ago

Ontario Slaps 25% Tax Increase on Electricity Exports to US in Response to Trump’s Trade War

13 hours ago

Bakersfield Man Who Made Bomb Found Near Community Pool Pleads Guilty

14 hours ago

Fresno City Attorney Janz Launches Probe Into Attack Campaign Mailer

14 hours ago

New Atmospheric River Expected to Boost Sierra Snowpack

Fresno police arrested two suspects, Jesus Cardenas, 26, and Frank Alvarez, 40, and seized 15 firearms during a long-term investigation into illegal firearm manufacturing and trafficking, with two suspects still at large. (Fresno PD)
16 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Two and Seize 15 Firearms in Gang-Related Investigation

16 hours ago

The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend