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San Francisco 49ers: 4 reasons the team will win the NFC West

By Marc Delucchi

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Denver Broncos in the first quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

1. Jimmy Garoppolo is legit

It’s the most obvious. It’s still the most important.

The 49ers acquired Jimmy Garoppolo for a second-round pick in the middle of the 2017 season. After leading them on a five-game winning streak to close the season, he received a starter-level contract.

He was anointed the franchise quarterback before proving himself over a full season. After his 2018 season was cut short by his ACL tear, that remains the case.

Related Story. Can the San Francisco 49ers actually win the NFC West?. light

This season is a make or break year for Garoppolo. The combination of his contract structure, the pressure on Kyle Shanahan to win soon, and the plethora of quality quarterback prospects in college mean an underwhelming season could place Jimmy G on the chopping block.

Garoppolo cannot afford to let the pressure get to him. If he is a franchise quarterback, San Francisco needs him to prove it now. It’s that simple.

If he is, the 49ers will be in the thick of the NFC playoff picture, within striking distance of an NFC West crown.