3 Reasons the 49ers Are Still the Best Team in the NFC

Despite being one quarter away from winning the Super Bowl in February, the San Fransisco 49ers have been one of the more heavily scrutinized teams this NFL offseason. Through speculation about Tom Brady being signed, Jimmy Garoppolo on the way out and everything in between, the 49ers are still the team to beat in the NFC. Here are three reasons why.

3. Garopollo is a Dependable NFL Starter

Jimmy Garopollo has only lost five games in his NFL career. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

One thing that is undeniable is Garopollo is a proven winner. With a 21-5 career record, he doesn't win games by accident. He makes composed throws, doesn't force mistakes, and let's the talent of his team win games. That is why the 49ers were so close to winning the Super Bowl, and that is why they will do it again. Ignore the criticisms of his "inability" to throw the deep ball, the 49ers do not have a quarterback problem.

2. George Kittle is the Best TE in the NFL

An Iowa University product, George Kittle terrorized defenses all through 2019. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

This shouldn't even be a controversial statement. After Kittle bullied defenses all season with a swagger not seen since the prime years of Gronk, it's easy to forget he is only 26 years old. He still has plenty of gas left in the tank, and that should comfort 49ers fans anxious about the offense. With weapons like Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders in the open field, there are not many teams that can cover that, let alone contain it.

1. Kyle Shanahan is still an excellent coach.

These guys are great but a lot of their YAC success comes from Kyle Shanahan's offense play calling and Jimmy Garoppolo's ability to precisely fit passes into small spaces that help his receivers get separation. #49ers https://t.co/ulwhGO4Kbr
— Lancealot of House Coleman ? (@RipRock81) February 24, 2020

Listen, I get that he has had some horrific play calling under the biggest lights during the Super Bowl. That will be something, unfortunately, that follows him the rest of his career. However, dismissing his abilities based on the Super Bowl would be foolish. He still took a team that won four games the previous season to the Super Bowl with ease. It would be a genuine shock if the 49ers are not at least back in the NFC title game, thanks to Shanahan's insightful play-calling and intuitive use of his roster talent.