Why the 49ers Will Return to the NFC Championship in 2023

For two years in a row, the San Francisco 49ers were able to make it to the NFC Championship game.

While they would have loved to have advanced to the Super
Bowl, it is still a great accomplishment to make two straight years. It's even more impressive when you consider they have made it to the championship game three out of the last four years. And that is a trend that is likely to repeat itself.

The 49ers will return to their third straight NFC Championship in 2023. It is something that the franchise has not achieved since the Jim Harbaugh Era starting in 2011. But if the 49ers are an elite team, they will put themselves at the same table as the likes of Chiefs and the Patriots who always make it to the conference championship.

Looking at the core of their team, the 49ers easily sail past everyone in their division, and really almost the entire conference. Only the Philadelphia Eagles have the advantage over the 49ers, but they have lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators. They could see a drop-off along with a handful of key players hitting free agency. Still, they have a top-five quarterback in Jalen Hurts and a fierce offensive line, so they are to be viewed as an elite unit.

Aside from the Eagles, who else can really pose a threat to the 49ers that will derail their season? I don't see anyone. The NFC West will surely be theirs to win again. Arizona will be a joke again, the Rams look like they are rebuilding, and the Seahawks can barely compete with the 49ers. So, the 49ers should have a fairly easy playoff path again by hosting at least one playoff game.

What really is the concern here is with the quarterback position because both Trey Lance and Brock Purdy are coming off injuries. But unless they suffer injuries or some sort of setback, I believe the 49ers can go far with either quarterback. Their defense should still be elite despite losing DeMeco Ryans. New defensive coordinator Steve Wilks shouldn't be too hefty of a drop-off given the talent of the incumbent position coaches.

Offensively the 49ers will be stout as a running team again with their array of quality running backs led by Pro Bowler Christian McCaffrey. The core of the 49ers has been carrying the team despite the lack of a solid quarterback. At the very least, Lance and Purdy should be manageable players in 2023. Everything is lined up well for the 49ers to get back to the playoffs and return to the NFC Championship game where they can hopefully get a true shot at competing for all four quarters.