Niners Nation
How many games do you see the Niners winning this season?
Now that the San Francisco 49ers schedule is here, what better time than to predict the outcome of every single game?
It’s impossible to project what will happen between now and January. We thought the 49ers would go 12-5 when we did this exercise last season. Over 80 percent of you predicted the Niners to go into Lambeau Field and beat the Packers. That might’ve been closer to 8% had you known who the quarterback was.
San Francisco’s schedule is much more favorable this season. They have significant advantages, at least on paper, regarding rest and opponents compared to the first-place Rams' schedule. The Niners will take on the Bears, Browns, and Giants, while Los Angeles gets the Eagles, Lions, and Ravens.
Will the 49ers turn those differences into wins and a potential playoff berth? Let’s walk through the schedule and find out.
There’s been enough turnover throughout Seattle’s roster that we can throw out what happened last year. Still, what better time to catch Sam Darnold with a new team on an offense that lost two of its most productive wideouts?
It won’t be easy. It never is. But I think Darnold is being overvalued for what he did last season in near-perfect circumstances. I suspect Darnold will come back down to earth in 2025.
49ers win. 1-0.
Let’s act as if Tyler Shough, the Van Wilder of this draft class, wins the job. And that Kelvin Banks Jr., the player Mykel Williams gave fits this past season, both start. I’m surprised the NFL gave Shough credit for excelling in an offense created by the Sean McVay of college. I suspect Shough will struggle mightily, especially if he starts early on.
When you look at the Saints on the other side of the ball, you’ll notice they’re going into the season with Isaac Yiadom starting at cornerback.
49ers win. 2-0.
The 49ers' home opener is against a team that swept them in 2024. They will begin the season against the Saints and the Panthers. Arizona might enter Week 3 fat and happy after a 2-0 start—not unlike the Niners.
The difference is Week 18 meant nothing, and the 49ers blew a fourth-quarter lead after handling the Cardinals for much of the game. Robert Saleh should flex his muscles in this matchup and force Kyler Murray to throw it to an area where he can’t see — the middle of the field.
49ers win. 3-0.
The 49ers get the Jaguars off a divisional game against the Texans, where they have to fly across the country. Jacksonville should be much improved offensively with Brian Thomas Jr. in Year 2 and selecting Travis Hunter to surround Trevor Lawrence. This will be a game where the secondary is challenged, but the offense shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball up and down...
