The 49ers are looking to become the first team in nearly two decades to win three consecutive titles.

The NFC West has been a one-team affair over the past two years, with the San Francisco 49ers winning every game against their division rivals except when they rested their starters.

If the Niners want to become the first team to win the NFC West three years in a row since Seattle did it from 2004-07, it could be a much tougher task. The bottom half of the division looks much better, and San Francisco spent the offseason dealing with contract disputes and a bit of a hangover from its Super Bowl loss.

Three consecutive seasons of playing until late January or early February and the disappointment of losing in the conference title game or Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons can have a negative impact. The 49ers are trying to join the 2018 New England Patriots as just the second team in the last 50 years to win it all in a season after losing in the Super Bowl.

“The only thing you can do is get back into it because I’m going into my eighth year and it’s not like the opportunity is completely gone,” All-Pro center George Kittle said. “I have another chance this season. All I can do is focus on this season and what I can do every day, get better, help this team. The coolest thing is we have a really good team.”

The 49ers have the most talented team in the division, but they have had a difficult offseason due to contract disputes with stars Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk. San Francisco agreed to a deal with Aiyuk on Thursday and still needs to resolve the Williams situation before the season begins. The offense has several other stars, including Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Kittle.

But the competition could be tough. The Los Angeles Rams could have one of the most productive offenses if Cooper Kupp stays healthy to team with 2023 stars Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams as playmakers around Matthew Stafford.

Under new coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle will have a fresh defensive line and a strong offense if the Seahawks can get their line play right after an injury-plagued season last year.

Arizona showed potential in coach Jonathan Gannon’s first season with the return of quarterback Kyler Murray and could prove to be a formidable team with Murray at quarterback and talented rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the way.

A turbulent off-season

The 49ers were not gentle this offseason as contract issues loomed over the franchise. Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason as he sought a long-term extension to replace his fifth-year option, then refused to work out during training camp. That was ultimately resolved when Aiyuk agreed to an extension 11 days before the opener, but now San Francisco has to hope that the time offseason doesn’t affect Aiyuk as the season begins.

Williams has been on the back foot all summer as he seeks a better contract that reflects his status as the league’s top offensive lineman after three consecutive All-Pro selections.

With Williams as the anchor of the line, the Niners have arguably the league’s best offense. If he’s gone or rusty, scoring could become more difficult. That would put pressure on new coordinator Nick Sorensen’s defense to pick up the slack.

New look D

The Seahawks were undergoing a coaching overhaul, with Pete Carroll leaving after 14 seasons and Macdonald coming in with a new scheme and fresh ideas. The change was needed after Seattle finished 25th in points allowed in each of the last two seasons, and Carroll’s once-innovative style had trouble finding success without the talent of the famed Legion of Boom.

Macdonald led one of the best defenses in Baltimore, and teams around the league were looking for ways for his former assistants to implement his schemes, which relied on hidden coverages to confuse quarterbacks and simulated pressures to put pressure on the quarterback without involving too many players pressing the quarterback.

The question is whether Seattle has enough talent — especially on offense — to make it happen.

Replacing Donald

Coach Sean McVay’s Rams offense should be one of the best, considering Stafford is still playing at a high level at age 36, has a bolstered offensive line after retirement and multiple quarterbacks.

The biggest question is on defense, where the Rams must replace three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald on a team that is sorely lacking in star power.

There is no single player who can compensate for Donald’s influence. He has opened up opportunities for others, being double and triple-watched, yet has managed to dominate the game on his own.

Byron Young and Kobie Turner had strong rookie seasons on the line in 2023 as they benefited from all the attention on Donald. It won’t be as easy to replicate that this season, but they do have some help as Los Angeles spent its first two draft picks on Florida State teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.

Healthy Kyler

The Cardinals showed flashes of their offensive prowess in the second half of last season when Murray returned from a torn ACL. After losing eight of nine games to open the season, Arizona went 3-5 with Murray.

Murray has yet to recapture the electrifying form of his impressive 2021 season, but he is now even healthier and has a much better attack around him.

Harrison should provide some energy on the outside, as Arizona lacked a true No. 1 receiver. Tight end Trey McBride had a breakout season with 81 catches, and Michael Wilson looks to build on a strong rookie season as the No. 2 receiver this year.

Coordinator Drew Petzing has showcased a creative running game, led by James Conner’s 1,000-yard season, that could be better this year if Murray is a bigger threat on offense.

The defense still needs work, but Arizona seems to be heading in the right direction.

Estimated finish line

49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals.

For more on the Cowboys, check out The Dallas Morning News here.