Everyone’s getting healthy and they have the pieces. Is this the year they return to the postseason?
Wow, was 2013 really six years ago? Since the NFC Championship Game of the 2013 season, the 49ers have not been back to the post season. The last game was nothing more than brutal with Colin Kaepernick throwing an interception just six inches off-target from Michael Crabtree’s hands.
And the 49ers haven’t been back. When you think about it, postseason appearances were the least of their worries with all the drama going on with the front office. Now, after three drafts with Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch and the overhaul of the roster nearing the finish line, are they ready to get back to the postseason and end the drought?
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus thinks they can. He has them listed as his No. 4 team to end their dry spell and get back into the playoffs:
Is this the year we finally see a full season of Jimmy Garoppolo? His debut campaign by the Bay had gotten off to a rocky start before the season-ending ACL tear in Week 3. Still, there’s reason to believe a healthy Garoppolo can make magic with Kyle Shanahan. On defense, San Francisco suddenly boasts a scary front seven with the additions of second overall pick Nick Bosa and LB Kwon Alexander and DE Dee Ford. I wouldn’t call this a playoffs-or-bust season for general manager John Lynch, but the Niners have to show they’re headed in the right direction. There’s enough talent on this roster to make some noise in an NFC West in transition.
Expectations for the 49ers in 2018 were through the roof thanks to the strong 2017 finish. 2018 seems to have lowered expectations but some hype has been percolating. As far as progress, if the 49ers can go 8-8 or even 10-6 and miss the playoffs, it still means they are going in the right direction. They have some tough competition to win the NFC West, but maybe they can get that wild card with some discipline.
Is 2019 the year?
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