Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 Early Predictions for 2016 Regular Season

By Trevor Irvine

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Feb 3, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of the helmets of the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks at the NFL Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of the helmets of the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks at the NFL Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Record

Ah, there is nothing like taking a stab in the dark. Hmm, what will be the Niners final record for 2016? As a fan, we always predict from the heart. It’s what we do. But, realistically, this hope rarely occurs. So let’s be realistic and predict with our head.

Week 1 versus LA Rams – Win

The Niners will be looking to start off Kelly’s campaign with a bang. The team will be fit, fresh and ready to move the ball at warp speed.

Hyde will have a 100-plus yard game, and the offensive speed should neutralize the power and quickness of the Rams defensive line.

Additionally, the Niners defense will need to hold Rams RB Todd Gurley in check.

This game will be close, but should be a W.

Week 2 at Carolina Panthers – Loss

This will be a loss – a short week, travelling across the country, playing in the ET zone. The Panthers are a better, stronger team.

Week 3 at Seattle Seahawks – Loss

The Hawks just own us in Seattle. It won’t change this time. Enough said.

Week 4 versus Cowboys – Win

There isn’t too much between these teams. The fact it is at Levi’s Stadium gives the Niners the edge. The Niners offense should be able to take advantage of the weak Cowboys D.

Week 5 versus Cardinals – Loss

Again, the Cardinals are just too good. Hopefully it will be closer than last year’s games.

Week 6 at Buffalo Bills – Loss

Another early game, travelling across the country. Rex Ryan will have a devilish defensive game plan that will counter the Niners speed offense.

Week 7 versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Win

It’s the Bucs who have to travel across the country. The Niners depth is better than Tampa’s. O’Neil will have schemes to disrupt and confuse Jameis Winston.

Week 8 – Bye

Week 9 versus New Orleans Saints – Win

Finally have this game at home. Despite the brilliance of Drew Brees, the Niners should be able to exploit the very porous Saints D. The Niners should win a high-scoring contest here.

More from Niner Noise

Week 10 at Cardinals – Loss

Same reasons as Week 5.

Week 11 versus New England Patriots – Loss

The Patriots are a much stronger team. Tom Brady is a machine. Bill Belichick will out-coach Kelly. Let’s hope this isn’t a blowout.

Week 12 at Miami Dolphins – Loss

Early game, travelling across the country, plus the Adam Gase revenge factor on the Niners. Dolphins D is underrated. This will be a close game, but a L.

Week 13 at Chicago Bears – Loss

It took a Robbie Gould missed FG last year to get it to OT, and Gabbert found Smith on a bomb wide open. There won’t be the luck factor in 2016. Bears will want revenge and who knows how god-awful cold this game will be?

Week 14 versus New York Jets – Loss

This prediction might change if Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the Jets QB, but the Jets D-line is legit and Brandon Marshall torched the Niners defense the last time he faced them. Todd Bowles knows the Niners well from his days as the Cardinals defensive coordinator. This game will be close, but as of now the Jets pull it out.

Week 15 at Atlanta Falcons – Loss

Falcons coach Dan Quinn won’t make the same bone-head mistakes he made against the Niners last season, and the home field advantage will be enough to get the Dirty Birds just over the line.

Week 16 at LA Rams – Loss

There is just not much between these teams. It’s a rivalry game. This is a flip of the coin. Home ground advantage wins out.

Week 17 versus Seattle Seahawks – Loss

As was mentioned earlier, the Hawks just own us. It doesn’t matter if the game is at Levi’s Stadium. Just re-look at the Thursday Night Football disaster from 2015.

Predicted final record: 4-12

Realistically, it’s going to take a full season for the 49ers offense to adapt to the Kelly scheme. With plenty of cap room, and a likely top-5 draft pick, the outlook for 2017 looks more promising.

Next: 49ers: Who is Rashard Robinson?

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Sports-Reference.com and 49ers.com unless otherwise indicated.