NFC: Going back to the NFL playoffs in 2014 if…

San Francisco 49ers

If: The 49ers defense can hold up on the defensive side of the football, most notably during the first half of the season. Nose tackle Glenn Dorsey is out for the season and linebackers NaVorro Bowman (recovering from knee surgery) and Aldon Smith (suspended first nine games) are sidelined for now for much different reasons. Add in some new faces in the secondary and it should be an interesting September and October.

And: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick can put it all together and avoid those little mini-slumps in terms of throwing the football. The Niners lost just four games in the regular season in 2013 and in both instances, they came in back-to-back contests. In those contests, Kaepernick combined to throw just two touchdown passes compared to six interceptions. In his other 12 outings, the young signal-caller combined for 19 scores and was picked off just twice.

But: If the offseason is any indication of the year to come, the Niners won’t be making a fourth straight trip to the NFC title game. Along with the injuries and suspension of Smith, there is the recent situation surrounding defensive end Ray McDonald. And as we found out months ago, general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Jim Harbaugh aren’t exactly on the same page.

Conclusion: San Francisco probably has more firepower on offense these days compared to recent seasons and that unit may have to carry the load early in 2014 until the defense settles in. Harbaugh’s team doesn’t see the Seahawks until Thanksgiving and if this club isn’t in sync, who knows just how much that will mean. Still, this club has too much talent and figures to be in the postseason mix once again.