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San Francisco 49ers: First-take regular-season schedule predictions for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Lance Dunbar #25 of the Los Angeles Rams runs in a touchdown past Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Lance Dunbar #25 of the Los Angeles Rams runs in a touchdown past Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Week 17 @ Los Angeles Rams

For the second year in a row, the 49ers and Rams close out the regular season in Los Angeles.

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A year ago, the Niners pulled off the win and capped off a five-game winning streak to close out 2017. Depending on how the Rams finish this year — they could easily be the NFC’s top seed — we could see a repeat of L.A. starting its B-team in Week 17.

Just like last year.

But let’s not bank on that. Not yet, at least. Instead, let’s go with the pound-for-pound matchup between Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay’s squads.

Even though Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be packed with San Francisco fans, just like it was last year, the Rams remain a powerhouse team. It wouldn’t be a shock to see them finish 13-3 this year, or something thereabouts.

And if anything is riding on this week, McVay and Co. will come out swinging.

Right now, on paper, the Rams are the superior squad. Sure, their offseason moves could blow up in their faces. But let’s not bank on that.

As a result, L.A. pulls off the win.

Prediction: Rams 24, 49ers 14

Next: 49ers' 2018 regular-season schedule released

So there you have it. San Francisco finishes the 2018 regular season with an 11-5 record. And it wouldn’t be that surprising either.

Is it going to be good enough to secure a playoff berth? Probably. But we’ll have to wait until the end of the year to find out!