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Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants makes a reception in the second half against Dashon Goldson of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Updated Jan. 26, 2011, 8:47 a.m.

As much as the 49ers are rightfully proud of their unexpected ascension into the ranks of the NFL elite, the best is yet to come if they heed the lessons of the 2011 season.

In their two playoff games, San Francisco's much ballyhooed defense was torched for 778 yards passing and six touchdowns by Drew Brees and Eli Manning. Admittedly, you don't face Super Bowl winning quarterbacks very often, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's insistence on keeping safeties Dashan Goldson and Donte Whitner in a "cover-two" formation made the 49ers too conservative and predictable.

Even though the 49ers registered nine sacks against the Saints and Giants, Brees and Manning all too easily picked apart S.F.'s zone coverage, completing 72 of 121 passes (60%). Re-signing free agents Goldson, Carlos Rogers and Ahmad Brooks will be as important as turning up the heat on opposing quarterbacks in 2012.

Want to see how it's done? Break out the film of Sunday's blitz-happy AFC Championship game with the Ravens harassing Tom Brady (five sacks, two interceptions) and Patriots defensive mastermind Bill Belicheck doing likewise to Joe Flacco (three sacks, one interception).

Of course, the 49ers offense is crying out for a big play wide out. Former starter Josh Morgan, whose season ended in October with a broken ankle, will be a welcome returnee. Kyle Williams is a promising player, but at 5'10" is hard-pressed to pry balls away from taller defensive backs. Meanwhile, Ted Ginn, Jr. is a free agent and 2009 No. 1 draft pick Michael Crabtree is clearly not a No. 1 receiver.

Among the notable receivers expected to hit the free agent market on March 13: Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe and Reggie Wayne. If the 49ers fail to land a game changing target for Alex Smith, who is also a free agent but certain to be re-signed, Jim Harbaugh should consider using explosive tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker in more more spread formation sets.

Now more than ever the NFL is about giving star quarterbacks dangerous weapons and building defenses that can contain them. Hopefully, building on this year's success will carry the 49ers into the Superdome for Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.