San Francisco 49ers: Post-NFL Draft Win, Loss Predictions for 2017 Season

Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams

Maybe quarterback Jared Goff and Co. have figured out this whole football thing by Week 17. Perhaps he’s even developed some sort of chemistry with his wide receivers at this point.

Still, Goff’s struggles last year — which may likely continue this season — surely have to make Niners fans happy the team didn’t reach for him just over a year ago. It’s just too hard to envision him being the elite franchise-changing QB the Rams hoped he’d be.

The Rams will be getting home from a tough two-game road trip against the Seahawks and Titans, respectively. They’ll be tired and probably pretty beaten up.

Meanwhile, the 49ers will have had two straight home bouts followed by the short flight to L.A.

Advantage: San Francisco.

Why San Francisco Wins

Offensively, this will be a contest featuring effective game management. The Rams defense remains a factor, although there are still some weaknesses in the secondary. As long as quarterback Brian Hoyer enjoys adequate protection, the passing game should be fine.

Defensively, the 49ers simply have to replicate the same sort of up-front effort that got them the win over L.A. back in Week 3. It shouldn’t be too hard.

Why Los Angeles Wins

Unless Goff turns a page by the end of 2017, the Rams are going to have to figure out another way to beat San Francisco. And banking on running back Todd Gurley to do so hasn’t worked all that well.

So that means defense. A lot of it. Los Angeles’ defense will have to force a few turnovers and ensure 3-and-outs remain a problem for the Niners offense.

But that didn’t work quite so well at the end of 2016, did it. And that 49ers team was much worse than the one gracing the field this year.

Prediction