NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

Honestly, this is one of the tougher cases to make. After a brutal offseason on both sides of the ball and on the sideline, the San Francisco 49ers are facing a tall order in one of the NFL’s best divisions. After firing Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers installed former defensive assistant Jim Tomsula into the head coaching role. Making the playoffs will heavily depend on Tomsula’s development in this spot.

Additionally, quarterback Colin Kaepernick needs to become what the organization thought he could be when it signed him last season to a six-year extension. Kaepernick looked lost at times last season, especially in losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders. If Kaepernick doesn’t life this offense with his capabilities both in the air and on the ground, San Francisco is sunk.

Defensively, much of the expectations rest on the shoulders of both Aldon Smith and the returning NaVorro Bowman. Smith was suspended to begin last year but returned for the final seven games, racking up only 15 tackles and two sacks. If the 49ers are going to become a defensive force again, Smith needs to return to his 2012 form when he amassed 19.5 sacks and an interception.

After losing Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, Mike Iupati, Michael Crabtree and Chris Culliver, the task is a tough one. Still, there is talent remaining on this team. San Francisco desperately need its quarterback and coach to lead the way through training camp and into the regular season, proving that the 49ers are not dead and buried.

Next: St. Louis Rams