To put it simply, 2011 was a fantastic year for the San Francisco 49ers. After hiring former Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, the team climbed atop the NFC West with their ferocious defense and immensely improved offense. However, after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship last season, the 49ers want nothing short of a Superbowl championship this season. With all of this pressure surrounding the team, football fans across the country are asking the same question: “Do they have what it takes?”

The 49ers definitely have the means to go all the way this year, starting with their offense. Returning from a breakout season is quarterback Alex Smith, who threw for a career-high 3,144 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He is looking to further improve and will have help in doing so, with returning weapons like RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, and new additions like the future Hall of Fame veteran receiver Randy Moss.

The 49ers had one of the strongest defenses in the league last year, allowing just 75.5 rushing yards per game, along with an average of 4 sacks. Thanks to playmakers like LB Patrick Willis, DT Justin Smith, and the 2011 defensive rookie of the year LB Aldon Smith, many offensive units had little to do but ponder what hit them after facing the 49ers.

The 49ers also blew their opponents away with their spectacular special teams unit, which includes Pro Bowl stars like punter Andy Lee, who kicked an average of 50.9 yards per punt last year, and kicker David Akers, who successfully scored a career-high of 44 field goals in 2011 and recently nailed an astonishing 63-yard field goal in week one of this season, which tied the record for the longest field goal of all time in the NFL.

The road ahead will not be easy, but the 49ers have already begun proving themselves with a decisive 30-22 victory over the reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. No matter what fans say, one thing is certain: the 49ers are “on a mission”, as Patrick Willis says, and will put up a hard fight on their quest for a Vince Lombardi trophy.