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San Francisco 49ers: Way Too Early Win-Loss Predictions for 2016 NFL Season

By Peter Panacy

Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as San Francisco 49ers center Marcus Martin (66) snaps the ball to quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 19-3 in the Thanksgiving Day game.Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as San Francisco 49ers center Marcus Martin (66) snaps the ball to quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 19-3 in the Thanksgiving Day game.Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a pass in front of St. Louis Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a pass in front of St. Louis Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams

The 49ers open the 2016 season like they did a year ago — a prime-time matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.

Saying “Los Angeles” in front of the Rams just feels right, at least for my own generation. I never got used to “St. Louis.” And the Rams are trying to make a statement following the move by trading up with the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

One would likely speculate they’ll take a quarterback with that pick. And the two best are North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff. Goff, a Bay Area native who grew up rooting for San Francisco, would make a great story if the Rams end up selecting him first. We won’t know until later this month.

At any rate, a rookie quarterback may not even be the starter in Week 1. That job could fall upon the shoulders of quarterback Case Keenum.

Los Angeles still boasts a fine defense, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald will be a hindrance to a 49ers offensive line still laded with question marks. But this seems like a winnable game for San Francisco. And it’s hard to buy in on Rams head coach Jeff Fisher after what has seemingly been a sub-.500 year each and every season.

Prediction: Win

Next: Week 2 @ Panthers