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10 Reasons to be Excited, Worried about the San Francisco 49ers in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media between general manager John Lynch and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media between general manager John Lynch and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) celebrates with inside linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) after he sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) celebrates with inside linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) after he sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Excitement: The 49ers’ 2017 Schedule Presents an Opportunity

What would make Niners fans happy this season? A five-win season? An 8-8 record?

How about a trip to the playoffs? It’s not as far-fetched as you think.

In 2016, San Francisco was tied for the most difficult schedule in the NFL. In 2017, this number is 20th with opponents’ winning percentages from a year ago at .457, according to CBS Sports’ John Breech.

Back to Grant Cohn, who is frequently ridiculed for his 49ers criticism. While we don’t know the scheduled matchup dates yet, we do know the opponents. And Cohn has legitimate feelings the Niners can actually contend for a playoff berth:

"I count twelve winnable games. I’m not saying the 49ers will win all 12. I’m not even saying they’ll win nine. I’m not making a prediction. I’m saying the schedule presented the 49ers a shot to make the playoffs as a wild card team. And Lynch and Shanahan went all in. The schedule gave them daylight."

Sticking with just the NFC West, we can assume San Francisco has a great shot to knock off the Los Angeles Rams twice. Perhaps the Niners beat the Arizona Cardinals, heading in the wrong direction, one or both times this year as well.

And the Seattle Seahawks? Well, they’re not as invincible as they used to be.

San Francisco also plays the AFC South — a weak division — and the NFC East, which boasts two teams likely to handle the 49ers (the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants).

Still, a playoff push in December isn’t out of the question. Not at all.