NFL experts' latest predictions will make 49ers fans sick to their stomach

It's been a tough season for the San Francisco 49ers. Things have not gone exactly as planned. Between injuries and truly not looking like the same team they were a year ago, the Niners are in a fight for their postseason lives at the moment.

It doesn't help that the NFC West looks highly competitive and could be anyone's game.

Speaking of which, some ESPN insiders and experts recently put together a lengthy piece on their rest-of-season predictions including division winners, surprise award winners and other tidbits.

When it came to any topics involving the Niners, things were not necessarily positive. In fact, quite the opposite.

Fans won't like to read what they all had to say in regards to San Francisco and the NFC West as a whole.

For starters, Field Yates' big prediction has to do with the winner of a division that's suddenly up for grabs. Yates wrote he believes the Arizona Cardinals will wind up atop the division, when all is said and done.

"Arizona has put together an impressive offensive identity on the ground (149.7 rushing yards per game), and it is extremely disciplined (fewest average penalties per game)," Yates wrote. "Plus, it is coming along on defense. With division wins over Los Angeles and San Francisco under their belt already, the Cardinals are in good shape to make a run to the playoffs."

Not only could 49ers miss out on a division title, but the playoffs, altogether

Couple Yates' prediction with fellow NFL columnist Matt Miller, who chose the 49ers as subject of his big prediction, stating he believes the team will miss the postseason entirely.

"A season decimated by injuries will end with the reigning NFC champions missing the postseason and keeping the Super Bowl hangover trend alive for the losing team ... This looks like a lost year in the Bay," Miller wrote.

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It would be difficult enough to swallow seeing the Cardinals win the NFC West. But, to then also watch the Niners miss the playoffs altogether? That would be a nightmare scenario come to life.

Sure, there is some optimism now that running back Christian McCaffrey is set to return. His presence, alone, could make a world of difference for the offense.

Look at the next few games, specifically. At 4-4, the Niners could still be fighting for their lives a month from now. They begin this weekend with a matchup against a dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that's lost three in a row and is coming in hungry for a win.

The Niners follow that up with games against the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills. None of those are guaranteed wins. In fact, they should all end up being tougher games.

San Francisco ends the year with games against the Detroit Lions and Cardinals; two games that could define the season.

The tail end of this schedule isn't going to be easy, and it's not difficult to see why the above predictions were made.

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