49ERS?

It kind of makes you wonder if Harbaugh was a big part of why Luck has been so good. Alex Smith is putting up good stats this year.

 

Does it really matter? The NFC is basically an episode of Who Wants To Get Blown Out By Green Bay In January?

 

Of course, but not in the sense that he made Luck look better than he is. Harbaugh made Luck a vastly better quarterback by training him to do all the things necessary to succeed as an NFL quarterback. Hell, the guy was a good one in his own right. Alex Smith actually wasn't terrible before Harbaugh, though. He was decent, he just couldn't be asked to carry a team on his own, and therefore his failures in those critical moments loomed large. This season Smith is throwing less often per game than he has since his rookie season in 2005. They're not asking him to be the focal point of their offense, merely to complete passes for first downs when called upon.

The two things that lead me to doubt San Francisco are its secondary and its lack of offensive playmakers. Gore is a dependable grinder, but he's not an elite physical talent anymore. Vernon Davis can be explosive, but his receiving skills don't match up to his athleticism. Then Michael Crabtree just hasn't shown anything yet. Meanwhile the defense has been murder against the run, but will give up yards through the air.

 

I still say they make the NFCCG. It's such a disappointing conference this year. Not "bad", just not as strong as I thought it might be.

 

I'd be pretty surprised if they won a playoff game.

 

I doubt they will beat a quality playoff team but you never know how things will play out and who might get in and manage to play the 49ers. Remember Seattle got in last year and made it to the second round. This 49ers team would trounce last years Seahawks in a playoff game.

I agree though they are not a contender, not yet.

I think the Giants are the second best team in the NFC right now.

 

I think the Giants @ NO would be a very good game.

 

Most likely not, seeing as their first game would be a bye and their second game would probably be against New Orleans or New York. They have a 0% chance of beating New Orleans and a 50% chance against New York, meaning about a 25% chance of winning a playoff game. Not great odds.