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The San Francisco 49ers are not only the defending NFC West champions, but they also made it all the way to the Super Bowl this past season, so it's only natural for them to be the favorites to win their division again in 2020.
But who is the biggest threat to the 49ers in the NFC West?
The obvious answer is the Seattle Seahawks.
While the Arizona Cardinals added DeAndre Hopkins to their ever-growing stable of offensive talent and also made some improvements on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, they aren't quite there yet. Their defense still leaves much to be desired, and Kyler Murray is still too green to place those types of expectations on him.
As for the Los Angeles Rams? They took a major step back in 2019, and they lost several key pieces on both sides of the ball throughout the offseason. Todd Gurley is gone. Brandin Cooks was traded. Dante Fowler and Cory Littleton both signed elsewhere.
The Seahawks unquestionably have some holes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball where they severely lack pass rushers. However, with Russell Wilson under center and some impressive offensive weapons, Seattle stands the best chance of dethroning San Francisco in the division.
I am not 100 percent sold on the Niners repeating as NFC West champs. The jury is still largely out on Jimmy Garoppolo, and while the 49ers have tons of young talent at wide receiver, they are very unproven at that position. Plus, they lost a really vital defensive stud in DeForest Buckner.
That isn't to say that the 49ers will go backward in 2020. There is even a chance they get better if their young receivers improve and/or if Garoppolo steps up and proves his naysayers wrong.
But it's not like this San Francisco club is akin to the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots of past years, where you just knew the Patriots were going to win the AFC East season after season.
No; this Niners squad still has a lot to prove, and with Wilson and a savvy head coach in Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are experienced enough to upstage Kyle Shanahan and Co.
Of course, Seattle has plenty of question marks in its own right. Not only is its defense shaky, but running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are both coming off of major injuries. The Seahawks did sign Carlos Hyde for some insurance, but it would certainly be nice for the club to have both Carson and Penny healthy for most of next season.
In addition, Seattle still has a major problem in terms of its offensive line. While that has been the case throughout much of Wilson's career, it doesn't change the fact that it remains a serious issue that could sabotage the Seahawks in 2020.
But can you realistically envision the Cardinals or the Rams being better than Seattle? I can't. Arizona is too young, and Los Angeles is barely a shell of its February 2019 Super Bowl form.
The 49ers will be favored to win the NFC East, and with good reason. But you can never count out Wilson and the Seahawks.
