Golden Nuggets: Aiming for a Super Bowl return

Getting back to a Super Bowl after losing is a tough task in the NFL. Other than New England two years ago, the last time it happened was back in 1994 when Buffalo made a return trip after losing the season before. The 49ers will try to emulate the Patriots of two seasons ago and return to the Super Bowl and win. Most of the squad is back and that should help. Still key pieces were lost and the team will not know how their replacements will perform until the season starts. Even with the players they lost, they are one of the top 4 most likely teams to win the Super Bowl this season with Kansas City, Baltimore, and New Orleans also in the mix.

The 49ers will not have the benefit of surprising teams. Every NFC team will gunning for them and a few of the top teams look to have improved. To make it back to the Super Bowl, Jimmy Garoppolo will have to elevate his game. He had a great 1st full season as a starter, but there were too many throws that were ill advised and led to turnovers. He threw 13 interceptions and had 5 fumbles. Luckily, the team was able to overcome some of those turnovers to win. Jimmy needs to be better with the football this season. It will be his 3rd full season under Kyle Shanahan and it’s an important season for his 49er future. The 49ers could release him in the offseason. Another good season will go a long way to keep him in the Bay. Super Bowl windows do not stay open long. The team needs to take advantage now and Jimmy is the key to get them back there this season.

49ers links

D.J. Jones (Biderman)

SB hangover (Rank)

Mike McGlinchey interview (49ers staff)

Make or break seasons (Maiocco)

Looking at the dlines of the NFC West (Cohn)

Who lines up with Fred Warner? (Hutchinson)

D.J. needed to help replace DeForest (Maiocco)

NFC West rankings (Cohn)

The offense has a few things to improve on (Madson)

Another good season coming for the Niners (Madson)

Tight end depth (Madson)

NFL links

Season projections (Walder)

Rookies that need to be immediately successful (Chadiha)

Jalen Ramsey does not plan to hold out (Patra)

Texans’ life without DeAndre (Palmer)

Aldon Smith’s comeback (Archer)