The San Francisco 49ers start their season Sunday in Green Bay facing lofty expectations.
They dominated in 2011, going 13-3 in the regular season, running away with the NFC West and shocking many by making the conference championship game.
But last season ended suddenly and disappointingly after a pair of botched punt returns and a host of failed third-down conversions. The 49ers walked off their home field losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in overtime.
And so began the quest for redemption in 2012.
Judging by the major offseason moves, San Francisco execs hope to change the team”s winning formula a bit.
Last year, the 49ers won with a dominating defense and an offense that was just good enough.
Quarterback Alex Smith had his steadiest season as a professional, throwing for 3,144 yards with a 61.3 completion percentage — both career highs.
Although his mark of five interceptions was exceptional, his 17 touchdown passes left much to be desired.
Enter two of the 49ers” biggest acquisitions: wide receivers Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.
The 49ers hope to get solid production from Manningham, a Super Bowl hero for the Giants who never really shined for New York on a consistent basis.
As for Moss, they should just hope he has something left to give — after all, the Hall of Fame-worthy deep threat didn”t play last season.
They”ll work in tandem with wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who notched the most yards and catches of his career last year, and tight end Vernon Davis, who had an average season by his standards in 2011.
Those weapons should help Smith and the 49ers improve on some dismal rankings from last season: 29th in passing offense and 31st in third-down conversions.
San Francisco also added a pair of rushing threats, creating a wealth of rushing options (depending on health).
Super Bowl champion Brandon Jacobs and rookie LaMichael James joined veteran Frank Gore and sophomore Kendall Hunter, but the new guys were haunted by injuries in the preseason.
The 49ers count on receiving similar production from the defense, which ranked fourth overall last season and helped San Francisco achieve the best turnover differential in the league.
To repeat that success, they”ll need stars such as NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis to play as well or better this year. The secondary has to step up too.
San Francisco also could use another stellar season from an aging David Akers, who led the league in field goals made in 2011.
The 49ers got a little help from the schedule, which all in all is fair with a number of easy contests mixed with a few brutal ones
The 49ers should overpower their NFC West foes — but look for them to fall asleep in one game like they did last year against the Arizona Cardinals.
Three of the four AFC East matchups will be a breeze. Conversely, three of the games against the NFC North will pose a challenge.
The team also faces its two postseason rivals from last season: the Giants and the New Orleans Saints.
Look for the 49ers to finish 11-5, win the division and a playoff game but fall short of a second straight NFC Championship Game.
