A year ago at this time, the San Francisco 49ers were only beginning the initial stages of what looked to be a long-term rebuild.
Then after nine straight losses to open 2017, head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. would have been thinking anything but a playoff push anytime soon.
That all changed, of course, after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo started in Week 12 and led the Niners to five consecutive victories to close out the season, including three over playoff teams.
Heading into 2018, now, is there actually a legitimate chance the 49ers could pull off the seemingly impossible from a year ago — win the NFC West?