49ers, barring a plague of injuries, will most likely be a force come January. They got the type of team that stays steady throughout the season, can match up with anybody, and let their strengths dominate opponents come playoff time. And they are fun to watch. Everybody on that defense can tackle very well and they all meet at the ball like a swarm of angry hornets. I don't think they've really gone too deep in the offensive playbook either. Don't really need to with all those talented RB's and Vernon Davis is unstoppable. When they have opened it up, they have looked impressive (first half against GB). Scary.
Houston looks very solid as well. They'll be there come January (especially with no real challenge in the division). Baltimore, when hot, is the x factor in that conference I think though. If they get momentum going they can outplay anybody.