In yesterday afternoon’s, “National Game of the Week,” between the 49ers and Packers, one thing was proved to the nation, the 49ers are no fluke, and this team is the class of the NFC.

Bringing in a new coach, Jim Harbaugh, a waste of a number one pick, Alex Smith, and a team that can not find a true number one receiver. The 49ers would be lucky to win a division with an average record in the weakest division in the league, the NFC West.

With all the doubters looking at them, the Niners came out of the gate at 9-1. The team didn’t stop there, as they would conclude their welcoming surprise of a season with a record of 13-3.

The 49ers carried their incredible defense and long overdue great play from Alex Smith into the playoffs as the number two seed in the NFC. After beating the Saints in an instant classic filled with twists and turns, the 49ers fell to the later named Super Bowl Champion New York Giants off of a mishandled punt that led to a Giants game winning field goal in Overtime.

The 49ers went home hurt, and many questioned if this team could make the same run this coming season.

Although this 49er organization was humbled, and ready to prove that they could actually keep up with the elite teams in the NFL.

First off, the Niners made the possible moves to bring back all 11 starters from last year’s 13-3 squad and add playmakers that they lacked on offense such as Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham, veteran Randy Moss, and rookie AJ Jenkins.

Still people had doubts that they could keep up with Green Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta, and the defending champion Giants in the NFC.

Yesterday was time to show their hard off-season work and to show that this team was a legitimate contender for years to come.

So the 49ers began this statement year by decimating one of the teams named earlier, the Green Bay Packers. Behind a tremendous performance from the defense, they contained the reigning league MVP, Aaron Rodgers and allowed running back Cedric Benson to only gain 18 yards on the ground. Alex Smith continued his fantastic play from last year, debunking thoughts of a step back and that Smith is only stepping forward.

After closing out the Packers, the 49ers have placed themselves at the top of the NFC and perhaps the entire National Football League.

After a performance such as yesterday, the 49ers will only gain momentum and with a balanced offensive attack and the best defensive to be in this league in the past several years, it is definitely plausible to believe in a repeat of last year’s success and even more.

The NFL must be aware of the team over in San Francisco, because this team still has a lot to prove to the league and they are determined to capture the greatest prize.