San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis and 5 Team MVPs

The San Francisco 49ers have the opportunity to clinch the NFC West this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. 

Actually, the 49ers have five more chances to clinch this division. The back end of the 49ers' schedule is far easier, but a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers looms in Week 15. 

This will be another chance for the 49ers to prove the doubters wrong, as the game will be nationally televised on Monday Night Football. The last nationally televised game was last week against the Baltimore Ravens and coach John Harbaugh. The outcome of that Thanksgiving matchup was not in favor of the Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers, but the team did garner respect from a wily veteran-laden Ravens team. 

The compliments poured in regarding the San Francisco 49ers' strong defense. A defense led by the fantastic inside linebacker duo of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. A secondary revitalized by a not-so-publicized free agent addition in Carlos Rogers. Fantastic play from a stout defensive line led by the underrated Justin Smith.

Even the offense has some spunk, with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter leading a fierce running attack.

The 49ers' 9-2 record is a result of fantastic team play, and I'm here to recognize the MVPs of the 2011 season up to this point. 

Jim Harbaugh and the Honorable Mentions

Jim Harbaugh deserves a ton of credit for giving direction to this organization. He turned around a Mike Singletary-led team that finished 6-10 in 2010, with almost the exact same crew from the previous regime.

The 49ers organization desperately craved an offensive-minded coach who would be able to effectively communicate with quarterback Alex Smith. They found him in Jim Harbaugh, who was a former backup quarterback himself. 

Harbaugh has completely transformed Smith and is managing to play to his strengths. He seems destined for that Coach of the Year award this season.  

Other Honorable Mentions: 

1. Ray McDonald, DE

2. Alex Smith, QB

3. Aldon Smith, OLB

4. Ahmad Brooks, OLB

5. Mike Iupati, OG

Justin Smith

Justin Smith is the ideal 3-4 defensive end, with his ability to seal the edge and effectively pressure quarterbacks at every turn. 

His play usually goes unrecognized, but 49ers fans understand the importance of Smith within the confines of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 3-4 alignment. A 3-4 end with the ability to command consistent double teams, allows the other lineman and free backers to make more plays.

Smith has recorded 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks up to this point.

Carlos Rogers

The 49ers secondary is still a concern at times, but Carlos Rogers' presence has changed the identity of this defense. 

Rogers leads the team with five interceptions on the season, and his playmaking in the secondary has rubbed off to other 49ers. Three other 49ers have at least two interceptions on the season. 

This opportunistic defense is also responsible for the 49ers leading the league in turnover differential at plus-16. 

NaVorro Bowman

NaVorro Bowman is a stud at inside linebacker and should be a Pro Bowl candidate, along with All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis.

Bowman has recorded 103 tackles on the season, placing him fourth among in the NFL in tackles (unofficial stat). While Willis is more of the playmaker, Bowman's game mirrors that of his All-Pro teammate. 

He has the instincts and talent to dominate against the run and in coverage. I would say Bowman is further in development in pass coverage than Willis was when he came into the league. 

I expect big things from the sophomore in the years to come. 

Frank Gore

Frank Gore is a huge part of this San Francisco 49ers offense. The Ravens somewhat exposed the 49ers on Thanksgiving night. 

The Niners cannot beat good teams without Gore being effective in the run game. His play opens up the passing game for Alex Smith and the 49ers receivers. 

Gore has struggled over the last three weeks. He has not reached 100 yards rushing in three weeks since the Washington Redskins game. That is partly due to injury and better game-planning by the opposition, but expect Gore to get back on track against the awful Rams run defense. 

As long as Gore stays healthy, they have a legit shot at defeating the Green Bay Packers or whichever team stands in their way.

Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis is an obvious selection, and I'm sure everyone would agree. It's hard to imagine that Willis could improve from his fantastic play over the years, but the five-year veteran has done just that. 

Willis is having a down season in tackles (for his standards), having recorded 93 tackles. But his playmaking has set the tone for this hard-hitting defense. He has recorded two sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles (two recovered). 

Despite the stats, the most impressive improvement Willis has made is his progression in pass coverage. Willis struggled in coverage during his early career but has improved dramatically in that area.

Willis continues to show why he is the best linebacker in the NFL today.