Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Reasons Why the 49ers Will be Worse than You Think in 2016

By Bryan Knowles

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) after being sacked by Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and teammates in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) after being sacked by Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and teammates in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

A Brutal Schedule

The 49ers already play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks look to both be playoff contenders this season, while the Los Angeles Rams have been hovering around .500 without a quarterback; the addition of Jared Goff might be enough to make them a serious threat as well.

Then the 49ers have to play the NFC South, including the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers on the road in Week 2—which will be a short week, as well, because they play on Monday Night Football the week prior. They have to take on the Dallas Cowboys, who should be much better with the return of Tony Romo; normally, the fourth-place team in a division would be substantially weaker, so the 49ers got a really bad draw there.

Then they have to play the AFC East in inter-divisional play. They get the New England Patriots late enough that Tom Brady will be back from his suspension, so there’s no help there. The New York Jets were arguably the best team to miss the playoffs last season. The Buffalo Bills look poised to break their 16-year playoff drought—it’s a rough, rough schedule from top to bottom.

Based on last year’s records, the 49ers have the toughest strength of schedule; their opponents went 142-114 last year. Football Outsiders also projects them to have the toughest schedule if you prefer projections looking forward. It’d be a hard set of games for an established team to handle; a rebuilding team like the 49ers will likely struggle significantly.

Next: No More Kelly Magic