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

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stiff-arms away from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stiff-arms away from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 2 at Seattle Seahawks

The 49ers haven’t won in Seattle since 2011.

And while the once-mighty Seahawks don’t seem quite as mighty as a few years ago, Seattle still has a vastly superior defense and one of the best quarterbacks in the game, Russell Wilson.

Yes, the Seahawks offensive line is a mess. And rookie Ethan Pocic isn’t going to solve this unit’s problems overnight. And adding running back Eddie Lacy this offseason isn’t going to conjure up images of Marshawn Lynch running rampant through the Niners defense.

San Francisco may be able to get to Wilson a few times over the course of the game. But he’s savvy enough to take advantage of a very young and inexperienced cornerback group, which will primarily be operating in one-on-one coverage.

It works for the Seahawks. The same has yet to be said about the 49ers.

Why San Francisco Wins

Defense will have to be the name of the game for San Francisco. A low-scoring affair is probably the only way the Niners manage to find any headway over four quarters. Even that might not be enough.

Getting to Wilson will be one thing. Ensuring he doesn’t make one or two big plays — which seem to happen every week — is another. So the 49ers will have to catch some breaks. Perhaps an interception or fumble turns things in the Niners’ favor.

If there is hope, it’s the fact Kyle Shanahan’s Atlanta Falcons offense tore through the Seahawks in the playoffs last year. San Francisco is nowhere close to Atlanta, personnel-wise, so scheme will have to be a major factor.

Why Seattle Wins

Taking Lacy out of the game will be harder than it seems. In all likelihood, this contest will reveal the 49ers’ run-stopping abilities are much better than last year but far from perfect. He’ll gain some yardage, especially late.

Seattle’s defense simply has to overpower the Niners O-line, which probably won’t be too hard to do.

And those defensive backs shouldn’t have too much trouble with the 49ers receiving corps either.

Prediction

21. 36. 10. 42. Final