The San Francisco 49ers are a trendy pick to make the playoffs in 2018. They have been since their five-game winning streak to close last season.
The hype continued to build following Jimmy Garoppolo's massive contract extension in February. Then came Richard Sherman. Jerick McKinnon and Weston Richburg followed. An intriguing rookie class featured the team's new starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey and other interesting pieces – namely Fred Warner and Dante Pettis. Reuben Foster, who once seemed destined to miss most (if not all) of 2018, will now be suspended for just two games.
All of this is to say that nothing has happened this offseason to remove the spotlight away from San Francisco. It's all projection and conjecture at this point, but there's ample reason to suggest the 49ers can return to relevancy this season.
Robert Saleh sees it, too.
"There's a lot of momentum going into this (season), and we all feel really good about it," Saleh told 49ers.com.
San Francisco's defensive coordinator used recent history as an indicator for how the 49ers might fare in 2018. There's no denying the team's potential, but it's also hard to see it all coming together right out of the gate. That's because building an identity takes time.
Saleh pointed to three breakout teams from the past decade.
Exhibit A: The 2012 Seattle Seahawks
Seattle figured out its identity at the end of 2011 – running the ball and defense. The team had the personnel to be dominant in both aspects. But the Seahawks still came off the blocks slow with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson under center. Seattle found itself at 4-4 following back-to-back road losses to the 49ers and Detroit Lions. But things clicked down the stretch as the Seahawks won seven of their final eight games (including each of their last five). Seattle drubbed their opponents a combined 150-30 from Weeks 14-16. Saleh, who was a defensive quality control coach in Seattle at the time, maintains that the Seahawks should have won the Super Bowl that year. They'd go on to win one the following season.
Exhibit B: The 2016 Atlanta Falcons
It took some time for Kyle Shanahan, Matt Ryan and the rest of the Falcons offense to click. An 8-8 season in 2015 was followed by a 4-3 start in 2016. Atlanta had lost two in a row ahead of a Week 8 home game against the Green Bay Packers. The Falcons edged the Packers, 33-32, and never looked back. Atlanta boasted an offensive juggernaut that ranked among the most productive groups in NFL history. It propelled the Falcons to an 11-5 record as Atlanta coasted to Super Bowl LI.
What are your favorite San Francisco 49ers players up to this offseason? View images of their recent adventures.
Dekoda Watson, Aldrick Robinson, Raheem Mostert and Pierre Garçon started a bowling team. Follow @raheemmostert on Instagram.
Kyle Juszczyk spent some time with his fiancée. Follow @juicecheck44 on Instagram.
Brock Coyle tied the knot. Follow @bcoyle50 on Instagram.
Marquise Goodwin visited West Hollywood. Follow @marquisegoodwin on Instagram.
C.J. Beathard went to his sister's wedding. Follow @ceejaybeat_hard on Instagram.
Joe Williams coached up some young players at a Youth Football camp. Follow @jwills_28 on Instagram.
Tarvarus McFadden took a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Follow @tarvarusmcfadden on Instagram.
Darrell Williams Jr and other members of the 49ers enjoyed a night on the town. Follow @diesel_boomn62 on Instagram.
Jeremy McNichols spent some time by the Bay. Follow @jeremymcnichols on Instagram.
Joe Staley spent some quality time with his daughter. Follow @jstaley74 on Instagram.
DeForest Buckner honored his high school coach at the 4th Annual Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards. Follow @dbuck_99 on Instagram.
Joe Williams went on a family vacation to Florida. Follow @jwills_28 on Instagram.
Dekoda Watson welcomed a baby daughter into the world. Follow @dekodawatson57 on Twitter.
Elijah Lee was honored during a Kansas State Basketball game. (photo via @kstatesports) Follow @elee_doubleace on Twitter.
Pierre Garçon enjoyed some time in his home nation of Haiti. Follow @pierregarcon on Instagram.
Erik Magnuson got engaged by the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow @erikmagnuson_62 on Instagram.
Malcolm Smith took an adventure to Dubai. Follow @malcsmitty on Instagram.
Ronald Blair III spent time at his old stomping grounds at Appalachian State. (photo via @appstatesports) Follow @superblair on Twitter.
Pierre Garçon visited his home country of Haiti. Follow @PierreGarcon on Twitter.
Trent Taylor had some quality family time. Follow @trent5taylor on Instagram.
George Kittle and his family visited Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Follow @gkittle46 on Instagram.
Pita Taumoepenu visited the Kingdom of Tonga with his cousin. Follow @pitataumoepenu on Instagram.
Ahkello Witherspoon went to Capitol Records. Follow @ahkello on Instagram.
Greg Mabin took in the Bay Area sights. Follow @mrmaybach13 on Instagram.
Robbie Gould took the family to Disneyland. Follow @robbiegould09 on Instagram.
Dekoda Watson read his son a bedtime story. Follow @dekodawatson on Instagram.
Adrian Colbert went to the Fairytale Princess Ball with his little sister. Follow @adriancolbert25 on Instagram.
Kyle Juszczyk and his fiancé spent some time in Barbados before heading to the Pro Bowl. Follow @juicecheck44 on Instagram.
Mark Nzeocha spent some time in Germany. Follow @MNzeocha on Twitter.
Exhibit C: The 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville had been stockpiling talent for years. The sleeping giant awoke last season and posted a 10-6 record. The Jaguars won the AFC South and narrowly lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. But even Jacksonville sputtered to a 3-3 start before taking off. A 27-0 route of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 jump-started a stretch of seven wins in eight games. Jacksonville's vaunted defense should have staying power in the years to come.
"When a team is trying to make the jump, the first half of the year they make the jump is a beast. You're going to win and lose some crazy games," Saleh said. "I feel like in the second half of the year, it's going to take off again."
Saleh's point is accentuated when taking a look at the first eight games on San Francisco's schedule. The 49ers play three of their first four games and five of their first eight on the road. The 49ers will potentially be underdogs against the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.
As long as the 49ers endure that grueling slate, they'll be set up nicely to make a playoff push down the stretch. San Francisco finishes with three of its final four games at home.
"If we are sitting at 4-4, don't be surprised. But the run is going to happen," Saleh said confidently. "There's no doubt in my mind that the end-of-season run is going to happen. It's just about how quickly we can get that run started."
