The NFL unveiled its complete 2024 schedule on Wednesday. When asked which Super Bowl participant has the best chance of returning to the big game in the upcoming season, Fox Sports analyst Craig Carton didn't hesitate to respond, "San Francisco."
"They're the best team in football, and it's not even close," he continued. "They're the best team, not just in football, they're the best team in the NFC. There's three or four teams that are obviously going to give them a run. You have the Eagles, the Lions. We'll see what the Green Bay Packers do; obviously, year two of Jordan Love.
"But San Francisco, to me, they're a lock to win their division. Start with that. Meaning home playoff game. And I just think they're heads and shoulders better than everybody else in the NFC."
Carton adds that on the AFC side, more teams are capable of dethroning the Chiefs. He expects to see the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game for the fourth consecutive season but also predicts that the matchup will once again be at Levi's Stadium.
Carton notes, "San Francisco, to me, has the easiest road, again, to get back to the Super Bowl."
Chiefs fans may not like Carton's comments. The two teams will have a chance to showcase how much they have improved since their last meeting. The 49ers and Chiefs will face off in a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch at Levi's Stadium on October 20.
Despite his declaration, Carton cautions, "You never can count the Chiefs out because of Patrick Mahomes."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers vs. Seahawks PFF grades: Best and worst from the playoff game, plus snap counts
The San Francisco 49ers' season came to a disappointing end Saturday night with a 41-6 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game. Here are the best and worst... -
49ers vs. Eagles PFF grades: Best, worst, and snap counts from the Wild Card win
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 during the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game. Which Niners stood out, and who needs more work? Highest-graded 49ers: Offense Demarcus... -
49ers Notebook: Demarcus Robinson's monster game; Trent Williams risks injury for his team; George Kittle's post-injury tequila
There haven't been many playoff wins that have been more satisfying than Sunday's 23-19 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, which sent the defending Super Bowl champions into the offseason and sent an aggressive fan base home unhappy. The last postseason trip to Lincoln... -
49ers QB Brock Purdy '100 percent' confident team can win Super Bowl next season
Despite his team looking like anything other than a Super Bowl contender in their 41-6 Divisional Round playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy seems extremely high on his team's chances as they head into 2026. Purdy...