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San Francisco 49ers: Full Predictions for the 2016 NFL Season

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers aren’t projected to be very good in 2016, which likely means they’ll be vying for a top draft pick next year. But NFL games aren’t played on paper, nor are they determined by odds and estimates. Still, predicting the NIners’ various outcomes and results for the pending year can be a lot of fun.

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

If you’re a fan of the San Francisco 49ers — or any other NFL team, for that matter — you’re probably counting down the days before the start of the 2016 regular season. Really, it’s not that far away.

Until the start of Week 1, there isn’t much to base opinion on except from the all-too frequent OTA and minicamp reports, which tell us some things but leave us with so many unanswered questions. This is a good thing, of course, because it leads to speculation. Speculation breeds predictions.

And predictions breed articles on Niner Noise.

You’re welcome.

So let’s dive deep into areas in which we can predict things this season for the red and gold. Yes, we’ll discuss the record and standing for 2016. But we’ll also break down predictions for stat leaders, X-factors, breakout players and more.

Lastly, we’ll cap it off with a prediction for the overall summary of San Francisco’s 2016 efforts and try to evaluate what the franchise will need to do following 16 weeks of NFL action (yes, this premise means the Niners aren’t going to the playoffs this year).

Let’s not delay any longer.

Next: Biggest 2016 Busts