49ers: With the Cardinals slippin’, the Seahawks under the direction of a new coach and the St. Louis years away from contending, the 49ers will be a popular pick to win the NFC West. Between Singletary, that defense, Frank Gore and the Nutcracker, what’s not to love? “The nutcracker drill, where offensive and defensive players collide in the ultimate game of irresistible force versus immoveable object. Roughly translated, two players ram into each other until someone gets pushed behind the red line.” Before you leap on the bandwagon, two things: Alex Smith, and three of their first four are on the road, and the home game is vs. New Orleans. [Chronicle]