Are the 49ers a realistic Playoff team?

Answer 1

Of course, they are in the NFC.

Answer 2

I find it rather comical that the NFC west keeps getting bashed for being a really weak division. Sure, it has been in the past but I also think all the teams in it are getting better, all of them are close in talent and quite honestly all NFC west games are close.

49ers over Cards 20-17 by the skin of their teeth
49ers over Rams 17-16
Cards over Hawks 20-23

So if the 49ers are progressing, which they are, how can you say the NFC West is weak? There's no particularly horrible team in it like Atlanta or Cleveland.

But to answer your question, yes the 49ers are a very realistic playoff team. I've been paying attention to them for nearly a decade and I'd be shocked if they didn't make the playoffs this year. Their defense alone is good enough to get them there and their offense will show up sooner or later. This team has a lot to prove and they aren't going anywhere but up.

Answer 3

So, the short answer is this: yes, if we improve enough over the NFC west to win it. Otherwise, no shot in hell to be a wildcard.

Long Answer:
Theoretically, yes, of course. The NFC is wide open. Who would've expected teams like Tampa Bay and Dallas to be dominant and clutch? At the onset of the season, the 9ers were to be pushing for top dawg in the NFC west right along with the rest of the teams, but a) Seattle lost in a close one to TB, b) the injury bug has ravaged STL, c) ARI, other than that first game, are showing they need some real fixing, d) after the next few games, we have what should be a relatively easier end of season.

Realistically, though, the team seems to be regressing. What was expected to be the best unit in the entire team (the o-line), is easily among the worst (almost as bad as the receivers not named Battle). Our defense as a whole has been performing superbly, certainly more than expected. But, as Mike Maiocco and Matt Barrows have written of Nolan, we just don't have "it," it meaning what the great teams have.

(Keep in mind although I'm a die-hard 49er fan, I'm still a realist and you have to keep that perspective, else you'll end up like Kwame 'El Toro' Harris on a pass play.)

Answer 4

Realistically, no. But, stranger things have happened. They would need to win at least 6 or 7 in a row now to have a realistic shot, and you're right, San Diego is cr@p with a cr@p QB. Look how he laid down in the playoffs against the Jets last year.

Answer 5

No.

If you look at their games, they've barely scrapped wins against the Cardinals and the Rams. Then they go to Pittsburgh and get absolutely smashed. Their the NFC version of the Denver Broncos: barely scrapping wins against teams.

Yes they do play in a VERY weak division, but Seattle is obviously still the best and should win it again. If Alex Smith can find some consistency and actually play good, they can get a wild card.

Answer 6

Their offense isn’t scarin’ anybody YET and neither is their D…BUT…look at the division and look at their schedule.
Nobody in that division can be looked on as the clear winner of that division and the rest of the opponents on their schedule ain’t scarin’ anybody either.
They have a better than average shot at taking their division and I think they’ll DEFINITELY get a wild card.
We’re talking NFC here guys.
And now that I think about, with the exception of NE and Indianapolis I don’t see any teams in the AFC clearly taking their division or getting a wild card.

Answer 7

If they open up the playbook like last week in Pittsburg, and let Alex Smith throw the ball more, they should go to the playoffs. If they stop being conservative, they will make it.

Answer 8

Probably not this year, but they are one of the few teams that is moving in the right direction. They should have a decent year, but I figure they will need at least one more season before they are a true playoff contender.

Answer 9

At the beginning of the season it looked like it with Frank Gore a maturing Alex Smith And an improved defence but with the Seahawks in their divsion they do have chance but the'll lose the division and it will be a race for the wildcard till the very end but im not feeling it.(by the way thats just my opinion)

Answer 10

answer: yes