Niner Noise
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49ers likely won’t win first game of 2017 NFL season until Week 9

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is hurried by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is hurried by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers could easily wind up starting the 2017 NFL season with an eight-game losing streak before picking up their first win in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

2017 hasn’t been kind to the San Francisco 49ers.

In fairness, it wasn’t going to be. Despite an offseason filled with hope and promise, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are only at the beginning phases of what promises to be a long, long rebuild.

With just over a quarter of this season now in the books, the Niners find themselves winless over five contests.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

On a positive note, Shanahan and Co. have lost their last four games by a combined 11 points. And two of those losses — against the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively — were on the road in overtime.

Improvement, yes. But does that mean a win is just around the corner? Not likely.

Let’s take a look at San Francisco’s upcoming NFL schedule and see why the Niners could easily remain winless until a Week 9 matchup against the Cardinals.

Week 6 @ Washington Redskins

I wasn’t alone in thinking the Washington Redskins would suffer a bit of a collapse this season. While this could happen, the 2-2 Redskins have managed to pull off impressive wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders earlier this season.

Additionally, the Redskins are coming off a bye week. They’ll be rested. And one can factor in Washington defensive line coach, and former 49ers head coach, Jim Tomsula as well. He knows the Niners’ best players — DeForest Buckner, Carlos Hyde, NaVorro Bowman, etc. — and should be able to effectively scheme against them.

There’s a reason the Niners are listed as 10-point underdogs, according to Sportsbook Review.

Week 7 vs. Dallas Cowboys

The 2-3 Dallas Cowboys may not look quite like the “magical” team they were a year ago. But they still outclass the 49ers in almost every category.

Quarterback Dak Prescott has been sacked only seven times this season, and the Niners have yet to discover a consistent pass rush — a problem, even if Dallas’ offensive line is a step down from where it was a year ago.

With secondary issues a major Niners concern, Prescott won’t have much trouble picking apart the 49ers defense.

Week 8 @ Philadelphia Eagles

At 4-1, the Philadelphia Eagles are suddenly the talk of the NFC East. They may not defend against the pass very well (29th in the NFL with 1,416 yards allowed), but Niners quarterback Brian Hoyer isn’t the type of signal-caller capable of taking advantage of this stat line.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 02: The San Francisco 49ers offense lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles defense at Lincoln Financial Field on October 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 49ers won 24-23. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 02: The San Francisco 49ers offense lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles defense at Lincoln Financial Field on October 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 49ers won 24-23. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has led Philly’s offense to No. 3 in the league’s total yards (1,989).

Making things worse for San Francisco’s defense, the Eagles O-line could be just as dominant as Dallas’ was a year ago.

Oh, and another road game. Another 49ers loss.

Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Finally, a game in which the Niners could actually sniff a realistic victory.

San Francisco battled Arizona to an 18-15 overtime loss in Week 4 on the road. Had that game been played in Santa Clara, it’s likely the 49ers pull out a victory.

The Cardinals offensive line is a mess, as the six sacks and 16 quarterback hits suffered by veteran signal-caller during that particular game attest to. This plays right into the Niners’ best defensive strength, which is a bonus.

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It’s also a bonus San Francisco won’t have to face off against running back David Johnson (wrist), who won’t be eligible to return until Week 10. Without Johnson, the Cardinals own the fourth-worst scoring offense in the NFL and have the league’s worst rushing attack.

In all likelihood, this Week 9 home bout is the next best chance San Francisco has to pull off a victory this season.

Next: NFL power rankings: Chiefs stay hot, 49ers stay low in Week 6

While most of us expected the Niners to be bad in 2017, a win at some point before the team’s Week 11 bye would be nice.