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San Francisco 49ers: Win & Loss Predictions for Each Game of 2017 NFL Schedule

By Peter Panacy

Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as San Francisco 49ers center Dillon Farrell prepares to snap the ball against the Houston Texans in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as San Francisco 49ers center Dillon Farrell prepares to snap the ball against the Houston Texans in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball while San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) applies pressure during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball while San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) applies pressure during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 1 versus Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers surely underwent a post-Super Bowl hangover in 2017.

Finishing with a 6-10 record, the Panthers couldn’t find any headway in a weak NFC South, which led to the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons running away with the division.

Quarterback Cam Newton was under constant fire, and injuries to key players like linebacker Luke Kuechly didn’t help matters at all.

The once-mighty Panthers defense allowed 402 points last year, which ranked 26th most in the NFL. And even Newton had a down year, finishing the season with a below-average 75.8 passer rating.

Carolina needs a running back, help within the secondary and some protection up front. Doing this via the NFL Draft will help, but there’s a solid possibility the Panthers aren’t vastly improved from a year ago.

Still, Carolina has exceedingly more talent than anything the 49ers will be able to offer. Even after the draft.

While the Niners have a nice home-opener winning streak going, it’s not likely Week 1 kicks off with a victory over head coach Ron Rivera’s squad.

Prediction: Loss