Two key factors are fueling this optimism.
A healthier roster
Injuries decimated the 49ers' lineup in 2024, sidelining several star players for much of the season. Now, many of those key contributors are healthy and participating fully in training camp. That includes running back Christian McCaffrey, who played in only four games last year, and future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams, who missed the final seven contests.
The 49ers also hope to get wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk back at some point in 2025, potentially providing a nice boost to the receiving corps.
The NFL's easiest schedule
Thanks to last season's last-place finish in the NFC West, San Francisco enters 2025 with the league's easiest schedule based on opponents' records from last year, a significant advantage in their quest for a division title.
Predicting the NFC West standings
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently projected the final standings for every NFL division, and his NFC West prediction is an eye-opener. He has the 49ers finishing on top — and the defending division champion Los Angeles Rams slipping to third, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Matthew Stafford's health.
Moton's NFC West predictions:
- San Francisco 49ers — 12-5
- Arizona Cardinals — 10-7
- Los Angeles Rams — 9-8
- Seattle Seahawks — 7-10
For San Francisco, Moton believes staying healthy and capitalizing on their favorable schedule will be the keys to success.
"The 49ers will enter the season healthy, which bodes well for them," Moton wrote. "Brock Purdy has dealt with elbow injuries early in his career, though he's been a full participant at practices. Left tackle Trent Williams is at full strength after missing the last seven games of the previous term with heel and ankle injuries. More importantly, running back Christian McCaffrey is a full go following an injury-plagued campaign. The 49ers will be a playoff team if those three starters suit up for most of the games.
"Remember, they're playing against other teams that finished fourth in divisions last season, which softens up their schedule for a bounce-back year."
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