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49ers schedule: 5 most winnable games in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Shaun Draughn (24) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Shaun Draughn (24) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-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 /

Niner Noise takes a new look at the San Francisco 49ers’ five most winnable games in 2017. Which opponents provide the Niners with the best opportunity to improve upon last year’s record?

Few analysts and experts are projecting the San Francisco 49ers to be anything close to good in 2017.

It’s not a surprise. The Niners, after all, are coming off a 2-14 record a year ago and are only in the initial phases of a complete roster overhaul.

General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will need more than just one offseason to turn things around. While the work they have done is commendable, there is still a long way to go.

Odds Shark currently lists the over-under for San Francisco at 4.5 wins. On one hand, the under could still result in a doubling of the 49ers’ win total from 2016. Yet it’s not out of the question to assume the Niners reach a bit and make the over — a question I broke down over at 49ers Webzone recently.

For reference, here’s the 2017 schedule, courtesy of the team’s website:

While this schedule appears to be much easier than the one the Niners faced a year ago, it’s far from a cakewalk. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Houston Texans still present tough contests.

And the Seattle Seahawks still reign supreme in the NFC West.

But there are some very winnable games on the schedule.

In this slideshow, we’ll look at the five most-winnable games for the red and gold this upcoming season, starting off with a team matching up against one of its former wide receiver, Pierre Garcon.