SANTA CLARA -- This is one year the 49ers wouldn't mind seeing none of their players suit up for the NFC team at the annual Pro Bowl.
After all, with the Pro Bowl scheduled for the Sunday before the NFL championship game, nobody off the Super Bowl teams will play in the Pro Bowl again this season.
On the flip side, the 49ers will have a chance to send a lot more players to Honolulu for the Jan. 29 NFL all-star game if the Green Bay Packers advance to the Super Bowl.
Packers comprise nearly half of the top slots in the current fan voting. Fan voting at runs through Monday, Dec. 19. Players and coaches vote that week, and the initial Pro Bowl teams are announced Dec 27.Here's a breakdown of the 49ers' strongest candidates . . .
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NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTS--Linebacker Patrick Willis: He's an easy selection for fans, players and coaches. Selections from each group count one-third toward Pro Bowl selection. This is his fifth season in the NFL, and it'll be his fifth Pro Bowl.
--Defensive end Justin Smith: He's finally getting the league-wide recognition he deserves as one of the best players in the league -- at any position.
--Punter Andy Lee: He leads the NFC by several yards in gross average and net punting. Expect him to punch his Pro Bowl ticket for a third time in his career.SERIOUS CONSIDERATION
--Running back Frank Gore: He was fourth in the fan balloting, but he is highly respected among players and coaches. Three running backs will get the call, so it'll be close with Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Matt Forte (Bears), LeSean McCoy (Eagles) and Michael Turner (Falcons) also being worthy candidates.
--Left tackle Joe Staley: He ranks fourth in the fans' vote. Ahead of him are two Packers, including Chad Clifton, who has played only five games this season. With no established perennial Pro Bowl tackles, Staley is definitely in the picture.
--Left guard Mike Iupati: The 49ers' strength on offense is the run game, and that's what Iupati does best.
--Center Jonathan Goodwin: Two centers are selected, and this respected veteran is No. 2 behind Scott Wells (Packers) in the fans vote.
--Cornerback Carlos Rogers: Long considered a solid cover man, Rogers this season is also posting good interception numbers. That helps. But there is strong competition at this spot with Charles (Packers) and Chris Houston (Lions), not to mention Nnamdi Asomugha (Eagles) on reputation.
--Kicker David Akers: He has already broken the 49ers' single-season record with 32 field goals, and he is the league's leading scorer.ALSO IN THE MIX
--Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman: It'll be difficult because there are a lot of very good players with whom to compete. If the Packers make it to the Super Bowl, that eliminates Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk from the picture. Willis and Brian Urlacher will be two of the other selections, of course.
--Safety Dashon Goldson: It's not a star-studded group, and Goldson's four interceptions have to account for something. The competition is such players as Morgan Burnett (Packers), Antrel Rolle (Giants), Earl Thomas (Seahawks) and Gerald Sensabaugh (Cowboys).
--Tight end Vernon Davis: He's far down the list of tight ends in receiving yards, so it doesn't look good for this season.
--Fullback Bruce Miller: Although he ranks second in fan voting, it seems highly unlikely that he'll get the call ahead of someone with more experience.
--Kick returner Ted Ginn: As long as Devin Hester (Bears) doesn't miss his flight, he'll be the pick.
--Special teamer Blake Costanzo: This is a very difficult one to gauge because he does rank second in fan voting. It might work against Costanzo that this is his first season in the NFC, so some players and coaches might not be familiar with him.
--Long snapper Brian Jennings: If the 49ers lose in the NFC divisional round, you can go ahead and assume coach Jim Harbaugh will take Jennings with him to Hawaii. (The coaching staff from the loser in the divisional round with the better record is assigned to coach the Pro Bowl.)BEFORE YOU ASK ...
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--Quarterback Alex Smith: I don't see any way Smith goes to the Pro Bowl. The 49ers rank among the bottom teams in the league in passing yards. And for the purposes of the Pro Bowl, that's important. Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Drew Brees (Saints), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Eli Manning (Giants), Cam Newton (Panthers), Tony Romo (Cowboys), Matt Ryan (Falcons) and, perhaps, even Michael Vick (Eagles) would each likely get more support among coaches and players than Smith.
--Outside linebacker Aldon Smith: Maybe next year when he becomes a starter.