Parity throughout the NFL allows teams to take dramatic jumps quickly, which is among the reasons the 49ers, after going 6-10 in 2017, are a trendy pick to return to the playoffs next winter for the first time since the 2013 season.

Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are riding a strong wave of momentum heading into the second years of their tenures. They have their promising franchise quarterback locked up, the roster is improving and camaraderie is high.

The team is even talking about its Super Bowl aspirations, which isn’t entirely crazy. After all, the Eagles just won the Lombardi Trophy a year removed from a 7-9 finish. The Jaguars went to the AFC title game a season following 3-13. The rival Rams (11-5) won the NFC West last season after winning four games in 2016.

So let’s take a look at five things that need to happen for San Francisco to take the next step and win a division crown for the first time in six seasons.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo plays like an MVP candidate

Garoppolo has yet to put together a big enough sample to make a proper evaluation of where he stacks up against the rest of the league. But he’s undefeated as a starting quarterback (7-0) and put up some strong statistics during his five-game stint to end last season.

Here are his numbers from those five starts paced out to a full 16-game slate and where they would have ranked among qualifying quarterbacks (or offenses).

Yards passing: 4,934 (1st)
Yards per attempt: 8.76 (1st)
Completion rate: 67.5 percent (3rd)
Touchdowns: 19 (18th)
Interceptions: 16 (2nd most)
Passer rating: 94.0 (12th)
49ers’ third-down conversation rate: 50 percent (1st)

(Jimmy Garoppolo #10 – Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clearly the touchdown and interception numbers don’t match with his overall yardage and efficiency. However, the 49ers averaged 29 points per game with Garoppolo starting, which was fifth in the NFL over that span. With his weapons improving, including the healthy return of top wideout Pierre Garçon, Garoppolo’s numbers could get even better. But sustaining that success from 2017 will be difficult. Defensive coordinators will have a full offseason to prepare.

Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are the only players to throw for 5,000 yards over the past five seasons. Garoppolo will need to average 313 yards passing per game to reach that elusive territory. He averaged 308 in his starts after joining San Francisco. The 49ers will need that kind of production if they’re going to win the division – and justify Garoppolo’s $137.5 million contract without hesitation.