NFL San Francisco 49ers

5 Positive Things We Learned From the San Francisco 49ers’ 2014 Season

5 Positive Things We Learned From the San Francisco 49ers' 2014 Season

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The 49ers entered the season as perennial Super Bowl contenders after three-straight NFC championship appearances. A lengthy suspension, numerous injuries and a rift between the coach and front office contributed to San Francisco finishing the season at 8-8. Expect the 2015 season to be better.

5. 49ers' Defense is still very good

NaVorro Bowman & Patrick Willis
Kirby Lee- USA TODAY Sports

5. 49ers' Defense is still very good

NaVorro Bowman & Patrick Willis
Kirby Lee- USA TODAY Sports

Despite injuries to Pro-Bowlers Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Glenn Dorsey, the 49ers ended the year as fifth best in total defense in the NFL. They also went half the season without their best pass-rusher, Aldon Smith. Even still, they allowed only 220 passing yards (fifth) a game.

4. Frank Gore can still play

Frank Gore
Ed Szczepanski- USA TODAY Sports

4. Frank Gore can still play

Frank Gore
Ed Szczepanski- USA TODAY Sports

At age 31, the “Inconvenient Truth” had another solid year for San Francisco. He posted his fourth-consecutive year with 1,000 yards rushing. He finished another full season relatively healthy and despite only four scores, Gore should remain the 49ers' lead back. With a healthy line next year, Gore should continue to produce.

3. Offensive Line is still one of the best in NFL

San Francisco 49ers Line
Tim Heltman- USA TODAY Sports

3. Offensive Line is still one of the best in NFL

San Francisco 49ers Line
Tim Heltman- USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line never fully got going this year as injuries played a huge part in 2014. Starters Anthony Davis, Joe Staley, Daniel Kilgore, Mike Iupati and Alex Boone never played together this year. The 49ers are built to be a power-running team. And they still managed to be the fourth-best rushing offense in the league.

2. Colin Kaepernick is not a finished a product

Colin Kaepernick
Ed Szczepanski- USA TODAY Sports

2. Colin Kaepernick is not a finished a product

Colin Kaepernick
Ed Szczepanski- USA TODAY Sports

An injury-plagued offensive line contributed to the fourth-year quarterback’s struggles. The constant pressure Kaepernick had to deal with didn’t allow him time to run the offense. He still has much to learn about the position in terms of reading defenses, running through progressions and spreading the football. Look for that to change in 2015.

1. The next head coach will inherit a title contender

Levi's Stadium 49ers
Kirby Lee- USA TODAY Sports

1. The next head coach will inherit a title contender

Levi's Stadium 49ers
Kirby Lee- USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers should be fully healthy next season. A few minor tweaks, but primarily the same team will boast a top five defense and top-notch offensive line ready for another Super Bowl run. Mike Iupati and Michael Crabtree are key free agents, perhaps one of them comes back in 2015. The rest of the squad will be intact.

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