2008 San Francisco 49ers: What Could Have Been

49ers' interim head coach Mike Singletary is not one to get into hypotheticals. He was recently quoted in one of the Mercury news articles that he doesn't look back on missed opportunities, but rather simply stated, he prefers to "move on".

However, as aficionados in the sports world, some of the greatest analysis we do deals with the "what-ifs" that coaches and players so often tend to ignore or reject completely.

This is why I am going to make the case that as bad as the San Francisco 49ers have been the last few seasons, they could have easily won the NFC West. In fact, only three of the teams on the 49ers' '08 schedule had clearly more talent than the 49ers. Take away games against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Giants, you could make a solid case that the 49ers had just as much talent if not more than the rest of their opponents.

In Week one, the 49ers lost at home to the Arizona Cardinals 23-13. Granted the Cardinals have a high-powered offensive attack with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Edgerrin James. The 49ers have much more talent on the defensive side of the ball. The 49ers were also playing this game with Mike Nolan running a J. T. O' Sullivan led team. Arizona didn't win because they played better, they won because the 49ers didn't play up to the level that their talent suggests they could have. 49ers (0-1)

The next two weeks, San Francisco beat the Seahawks in OT at Seattle and beat the Lions at home. 49ers (2-1)

In Week four, the 49ers went into New Orleans, and, despite losing 31-17, had multiple opportunities that were missed due to the terrible decision making prowess by one single player (J.T. O' Sullivan. Or as some fans dubbed him "J.T. O' Suckivan or JTO = Just Turn it Over) 49ers (2-2)

Week five brought the Patriots into San Francisco and even though the Patriots came away with the win, the 49ers cut the lead to six points with a fourth quarter touchdown.  This game however was clearly won by the Patriots, so I can't argue this as a game the 49ers could have won. 49ers (2-3)

That being said, in the Week six matchup against the Eagles, the 49ers had a nine-point second half lead that disappeared when the team led by JTO self-destructed. A game the 49ers clearly had in control and gave away. One of the games that you ponder how it would have played out with Singletary and Hill running 49ers. 49ers (2-4)

Week seven meant San Francisco had to travel to the Meadowlands to take on the defending champs the New York Giants. Although, the final score was only 29-17, the Giants were clearly off their game as it could have easily been uglier on the scoreboard. 49ers (2-5)

The following week San Francisco hosted the rematch against the Seahawks a game they lost 33-14. The game itself just got out of hand very quickly, and some anomaly gave Seattle fullback Leonard Weaver the ability to score two 30-plus-yard touchdowns off dump off passes. A game that the 49ers were blown out, but clearly they were the better team all around than the  Seahawks. A game they definitely should have won. 49ers (2-6)

After the bye week, San Fran meant up with division rival Arizona for the second time on the season on Monday Night Football. With Hill running the team, the 49ers nearly won the game and would have if not for a gaff by the 49ers coaching staff who claimed they didn't know where the ball was spotted on the games' final play. If they knew where the ball had been placed, there is a overwhelmingly good chance the right play call would have won the 49ers this game. 49ers (2-7)

In Week 11, the 49ers finally did what they were suppose to do and pounded the measly Rams to a pulp, winning big 35-16 49ers (3-7)

Success wouldn't be able to build upon itself as the 49ers unfortunately ran into a much better football team in the Cowboys the following week and lost 35-22. 49ers (3-8)

Interim coach Singletary would get his first road win when the 49ers went into Buffalo and pulled out a 10-3 victory, the first win for any west coast team playing on the east coast all season long. 49ers (4-8)

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?