49'ers will be back.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Carbine

THEY'RE IN THE WORST DIVISION IN FOOTBALL.

Can't write the Seahawks off because they went 7-9? That's not a good record. They also have Tavaris Jackson as a quarterback. Enough said.

The only team that can really challenge them is STL because Bradford has a chance to be a really great quarterback.

Typing it in caps doesn't give it any more meaning.

7-9 is a win better than SF managed last season. It's a game off .500, and any team around .500 in the NFL is a threat. One break for or against is the difference.

The winner of that 'worst division in football' has won at least one playoff game in every season since 2003-04. Two of those teams reached the Super Bowl.

So why would it take a team with a great QB to challenge them? The Niners don't have a great QB and, as has been pointed out, one or two key losses from that defense can make a huge difference.

They had a great season, but there is little about that Niners team that makes me confident a dynasty is brewing.

[baseketball4life]

Originally Posted by JMT

Typing it in caps doesn't give it any more meaning.

7-9 is a win better than SF managed last season. It's a game off .500, and any team around .500 in the NFL is a threat. One break for or against is the difference.

The winner of that 'worst division in football' has won at least one playoff game in every season since 2003-04. Two of those teams reached the Super Bowl.

So why would it take a team with a great QB to challenge them? The Niners don't have a great QB and, as has been pointed out, one or two key losses from that defense can make a huge difference.

They had a great season, but there is little about that Niners team that makes me confident a dynasty is brewing.

The thing is no one will leave that defense. Another year under Harbaugh and another year getting better under Harbaugh for this team - they may not win 13 games next year but barring injuries should win the division and 10+ games in addition to being an improved football team IMO.

[SCY]

AFC West & South have to be in the worst division talk as well. I do think SF will win the division, but could see Arizona & Seattle making some noise next year. Seattle's not locked into T. Jackson, they are players for Flynn and guys like Campbell, Moore, Orton, Henne will also be available.

[Playmakers Dad]

Seattle is not going to be a threat for the mere fact that Harbaugh>Carroll dating back to Stanford/USC.

The real team to watch out for and a serious dark horse/sleeper is Arizona. Their defensive is legit and in the last half of the season was really, really good. They're infused with young talent and a nice mix of veterans, I could easily see them as a 10-6 team if they can get any sort of consistent QB play (big if). That defense is young and hungry for sure. Calais Campbell is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, Darnell Dockett is a beast, Sam Acho/Darryl Washington are two of the best young linebackers in the NFL, and we all know P. Peterson is going to be the real deal. Not to mention one of the best box safeties in the NFL - Adrian Wilson. That defense is sick and only getting better.

Fisher will definitely right the ship in STL although I think it might take a year or two until they're competitive. Their defense is old and needs to be gutted minus a few nice young pieces like Long/Laurinaitis.