The 49ers bid to become first team to 3-peat in NFC West in nearly two decades

The NFC West has been a one-team show 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 straight years since Seattle did it from 2004-07, it could be a much tougher challenge. The bottom half of the division looks much improved and San Francisco has spent the offseason dealing with contract disputes and a bit of a hangover from losing the Super Bowl.

Three straight seasons of playing into late January or early February and the disappointment of losing in the conference title game or Super Bowl in three straight seasons can take a toll. 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 a season after losing the Super Bowl.

“The only thing to do is to go right back at it because I’m going to year eight and it’s not like the opportunity is completely gone,” All-Pro tight end George Kittle said. “I have another shot this entire season. All I can do is focus on this season and what I can do every single day, make myself better, helping this team along. The fun thing too is we have a really good team.”

The 49ers do have the most talented team in the division, but have been dealing with a trying offseason because of 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 situation with Williams before the start of the season. The offense features several other stars led by Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Kittle.

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

Seattle will have a fresh look defensively under new coach Mike Macdonald and a potent offense if the the Seahawks can get even adequate line play after being plagued by injuries last season.

Arizona showed promise in coach Jonathan Gannon's first season after quarterback Kyler Murray returned and could be a plucky team with Murray's playmaking and talented rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the way.

The offseason was far from smooth for the 49ers with contract issues hovering over the franchise. Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program as he seeks a long-term extension to replace his fifth-year option and then has refused to practice during training camp. That was finally resolved when Aiyuk agreed to an extension 11 days before the opener but now San Francisco has to hope that the time away doesn't impact Aiyuk early in the season.

Williams has been a holdout all summer as he seeks an improved deal to reflect his status as the league's top offensive lineman after three straight All-Pro selections.

With Williams anchoring the line, the Niners have perhaps the top offense in the league. If he is missing or rusty, scoring could prove to be more difficult. That would put pressure on new coordinator Nick Sorensen's defense to make up for it.

The Seahawks had a major coaching overhaul with Pete Carroll leaving after 14 seasons and Macdonald coming in with new schemes and fresh ideas. Change was needed after Seattle finished 25th in points allowed in each of the past two seasons as Carroll's once innovative style struggled to succeed without the talent from the famed Legion of Boom.

Macdonald led one of the top defenses in the game in Baltimore and teams throughout the league looked for his former assistants to implement his schemes that rely on disguised coverages to fool quarterbacks and simulated pressures that stress the QB without using too many pass rushers.

The question remains if there's enough talent in Seattle — especially on the pass rush — to make it work.

Coach Sean McVay's offense for the Rams should be one of the best with Stafford still playing at a high level at age 36, a fortified offensive line in free agency and plenty of playmakers.

The big question comes on defense, where the Rams need to replace retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald on a unit sorely lacking in star power.

There's no one player who can make up for Donald's impact. He opened up opportunities for others by getting double- and triple-teamed and still managed to dominate 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. Repeating that won't be as easy this season but they do get some help as Los Angeles spent its first two draft picks on Florida State teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.

The Cardinals showed flashes of what they can do offensively 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 wasn't quite back to the electrifying form from his impressive 2021 season but now is even healthier and has a far better offense around him.

Harrison should provide a boost 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 had a creative run game led by James Conner's 1,000-yard season that could be better this year if Murray is more of a rushing threat.

The defense still needs work but Arizona seems headed in the right direction.

49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks the sideline in the closing moments of the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Denver. The Broncos won 38-12. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks during a news conference after a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Houston. The Texans won 17-15. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws on the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, middle, watches from the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks during the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Santa Clara, Calif., Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker, File)

The 49ers bid to become first team to 3-peat in NFC West in nearly two decades

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

The 49ers bid to become first team to 3-peat in NFC West in nearly two decades

BUKWO, Uganda (AP) — Thousands of mourners in Uganda paid respects to Rebecca Cheptegei, the Olympic athlete who died last week in Kenya after her partner set her on fire, at a military funeral in a remote town near the Kenyan border.

Military officers played a prominent role in the funeral because Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda's army, said military spokesman Brig. Felix Kulayigye, adding that she deserved a “gun salute that befits her rank."

Athletes, family members and others delivered their eulogies before thousands in a sports field in the district of Bukwo.

Cheptegei, who was 33, will be buried later on Saturday.

She died after her body suffered 80% burns in the attack by Dickson Ndiema, who doused her in gasoline at her home in western Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County on Sept. 3. Ndiema sustained 30% burns on his body and later succumbed to his injuries.

According to a report filed by the local chief, they quarreled over a piece of land the athlete bought in Kenya.

The horrific gasoline attack shocked many and strengthened calls for the protection of female runners facing exploitation and abuse in the East African country.

Cheptegei’s body was returned to Uganda Friday in a somber procession following a street march by dozens of activists in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret who demanded an end to physical violence against female athletes.

Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in a worrying pattern of gender-based violence in recent years. Kenya’s high rates of violence against women have prompted several marches this year.

Ugandan officials have condemned the attack, demanding justice for Cheptegei. First lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as Uganda’s education and sports minister, described the attack as “deeply disturbing.”

Don Rukare, chairman of the National Council of Sports of Uganda, said in a statement on X that the attack was “a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete.”

Four in 10 women, or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women, have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.

Many Ugandan athletes train across the border in Kenya, an athletics powerhouse with better facilities. Some of the region’s best runners train together at a high-altitude center in Kenya’s west.

Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place, less than a month before the attack. She had represented Uganda at other competitions.

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Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda.

Members of the public gather for a funeral service of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei ahead of her burial in Kapkoros, Bukwo District, Uganda Saturday, Sept. 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Members of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) carry the coffin of their colleague Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Koriny Cheptegei, ahead of her burial in Kapkoros, Bukwo District, Uganda Saturday, Sept. 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Members of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) stand at the casket of their colleague Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Koriny Cheptegei, ahead of her burial in Kapkoros, Bukwo District, Uganda Saturday, Sept. 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Members of the public gather for a funeral service of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei ahead of her burial in Kapkoros, Bukwo District, Uganda Saturday, Sept. 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Mourners pay respects to Ugandan athlete who died after her partner set her on fire

Mourners pay respects to Ugandan athlete who died after her partner set her on fire

FILE -Rebecca Cheptegei, competes at the Discovery 10km road race in Kapchorwa, Uganda, Jan. 20, 2023. (AP Photo, File)