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10 Areas of Hope, Concern for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) celebrates after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) celebrates after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco’s 2016 Schedule

The 49ers are tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the toughest strength of schedule in 2016. Opponents’ records from last year equal a .555 winning percentage, according to John Breech of CBS Sports.

Those are factual numbers and can’t be disputed. But the context may be interpreted in various ways.

Playing in the vaunted NFC West doesn’t help, and tack on matchups with the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots, but games aren’t played on paper. So all the talk about Vegas odds and San Francisco not being favored to win any games this year is just that — odds and talk.

Room for Hope

So many variables change between last year’s record and rankings and what will transpire this season.

In short, the parity of the NFL is baffling. Teams drop from a top-five contender to a division’s cellar quickly. And last year’s laughingstock can quickly find itself in contention for a playoff berth.

Perhaps the Seattle Seahawks, whom the 49ers play twice, aren’t as good this year. They have even more worries along their offensive line than San Francisco does. And how would an injury to veteran quarterback Carson Palmer affect the Arizona Cardinals’ chances?

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer reacts as he is taken off the field on a cart after suffering an injury in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer reacts as he is taken off the field on a cart after suffering an injury in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Remember, head coach Chip Kelly turned a 4-12 Philadelphia Eagles team around into a 10-win franchise his first year with the organization.

Maybe the same is on the table for San Francisco entering 2016.

Room for Concern

Perhaps one or two of the Niners’ 2016 above-average opponents fall short of expectations this year and struggle. And maybe the 49ers eek out a win over teams to which, on paper, they should have lost.

But it’s equally as possible those teams are still perfectly capable of beating a San Francisco squad armed with its own plethora of questions. And the Niners showed us last year they are capable of losing to nearly anybody. The Cleveland Browns, anyone?

When one introduces too many variables or “if” scenarios, the chances for success drop.

So maybe the 49ers turn heads this season. Or, likely, the schedule proves to be more than a daunting task in what winds up being another disappointing record.

Next: The Coaching Staff