The Arizona Cardinals have been the team to beat in the NFC West the last two seasons, but that could change this year. With future Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner deciding to hang it up, NFL lines makes are giving the San Francisco 49ers the edge in the division race, listing them as the -110 favorite to win the division. If the odds makers are correct, the 49ers will punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Offense: The offense struggled in 2009, scoring just 20.6 points per game (18th in the NFL). The 49ers finished 25th in rushing offense (100.0 yards per game) and 22nd in passing offense (190.8 yards per game). It was extremely difficult for the offense to sustain drives with its poor 29.8 percent third down conversion rate.
The biggest problem was a mediocre at best offensive line. Joe Staley and Eric Heitmann performed well, but the Niners knew they needed to add more talent up front. So they drafted tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati in the first round. These two must be able to step in and perform right away. The 49ers had a bit of misfortune with Heitmann fracturing his left fibula, but they are hoping to have him back by Week 2.
If the line can show improvement, Frank Gore could be poised for a monster year. Gore rushed for 1,120 yards and 10 scores in 2009, and he added 52 receptions for 406 yards and three more scores. The addition of former Eagles great Brian Westbrook should help keep Gore fresh.
The 49ers are a run-first team, but they have the potential to make big plays through the air with tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Davis is coming off a career-year, catching 78 balls for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. Once Crabtree's holdout was over, he wasted no time putting up big numbers, hauling in 48 passes for 625 yards in just 11 games.
It's been quite the process, but it appears Alex Smith is finally ready to be a starter in the NFL. After stepping into the role last season, he threw for 2,350 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. If he doesn't make the type of progress the Niners are expecting, former Texans starter David Carr will likely get the call.
Defense: Head coach Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky have teamed up to put a solid defense on the field. This unit held opponents to only 17.9 points per game in 2009 (14th in the NFL). Thanks to big nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and stud linebacker Patrick Willis, the 49ers were among the best run-stuffing units in football, holding opponents to only 97.0 yards per game on the ground (6th in the NFL).
This unit was also very opportunistic in 2009. Its 33 forced turnovers tied for fifth-best in the NFL, and its 18 fumble recoveries tied for first.
While no player on the defense recorded more than 6.5 sacks, the 49ers tied for third in the NFL with 44 sacks. Defensive end Justin Smith, who has 13 sacks in two seasons with the Niners, brings the heat on a consistent basis.
If the 49ers can improve their 21st-ranked pass defense, they can really become an elite unit. In order to do that, they'll need a bounce back season from Nate Clemens.
Prediction: 1st NFC West - Unless Matt Leinart completely surprises with a breakout season, I believe the 49ers will win the West, punching their first playoff ticket in nearly a decade. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.
If you want winning NFL picks to beat the NFL odds this fall, then get signed up for one of the premium packages on my site.
