What to expect from the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 season? (Part I)
Before the start of the 2011 National Football League (NFL) season San Francisco 49ers was considered as an ordinary team that had not reached the playoffs since a long time and it was not rated to be a threatening side either in the season.
However, there was something that made a few observers think that 49ers might impress the critics in the 2011 season. It was the appointment of Jim Harbaugh as 49ers head coach.
49ers had last reached the playoffs in the 2002 season and since then they were searching for another playoff appearance.
When the season started, 49ers made a good impression by defeating the Seattle Seahawks but they lost the next game against their rivals, Dallas Cowboys.
What followed was an incredible run that would prove all the critics wrong and made the 49ers one of the most threatening units of the season.
After the first two games, the 49ers went on to win eight games in a row and it was evident that they would end the drought to reach the playoffs.
They did the same and ended the regular season with 13 victories and only three defeats, earning the home-field advantage in the playoffs.
In their first postseason game, the 49ers shocked the football community by defeating the New Orleans Saints, whose offence was led by veteran quarterback, Drew Brees
49ers won the game in the final minute and set up a game with the New York Giants for the National Football Conference (NFC) championship title.
In the NFC title game, the Giants overpowered 49ers to qualify for the Super Bowl, but despite losing the game the 49ers were appreciated for their marvellous effort throughout the season.
Some also believed that it was just a stroke of the luck that pushed the 49ers into the playoffs last year, but majority was in conflict with that perception.
The addition of Jim Harbaugh indeed proved to be very beneficial for the team and he was also awarded the Coach of the Year honours after the end of the season.
When Harbaugh was new, nobody knew what to expect from the 49ers, but as the team prepare for the 2012 season the 49ers are rated as one of the Super Bowl contenders.
The interesting thing, however, is to note that the 49ers were able to do so well when nothing special was expected from them. Whether they will be able to repeat the heroics again is yet to be determined.
To be continued...
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