The NFL schedule is out, and I have compiled my optimistic predictions for the upcoming season. I think it’s reasonable for an optimist. Next installment will be the Pessimistic Predictions. For now, let’s dream, shall we?
Week One – Arizona Cardinals 4:15 p.m. Win
With the newly revamped and confident offense, the Niners take charge at home right out of the gate. The reporting runs along the line of “well they did this against Arizona last season, too.”
Week Two – at Seattle Seahawks 4:05 p.m. Win
The Seattle Seahawks’ aging defense cannot counter Mike Martz’ gameplanning. The Seattle secondary struggles to cover Bruce, Johnson, and Davis, and can’t stop Frank Gore.
Week Three – Detroit Lions 4:05 p.m. Win
The Lions were bad before Mike Martz got there, and they’re worse now that he’s gone. Nolan starts off with a three-game win streak, and at home, Alex Smith has the biggest game of his career.
Week Four – at New Orleans Saints 1 p.m. Loss
I’m going to assume the streak of losses against the Saints continues, mostly because I don’t think the team is ready to mount a four-game streak. I don’t think it will be a blowout, and if the pass rush is improved significantly, that would be the thing that changes the matchup.
Week Five – New England Patriots 4:15 p.m. Loss
The only way the Niners win this game is if Tom Brady gets hurt, or if they lose their left tackle AND the pass rush is better. The whole “curse of the Super Bowl participant not making the playoffs” thing could come into play. Local boy comes home and makes good.
Week Six – Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 p.m. Win
The team bounces back from two straight losses to beat this fading NFC stalwart. They still don’t have good enough receivers to beat the 49ers’ secondary, and our linebackers keep Bryant Westbrook out of the superhuman level. The run game is prominent in this one.
Week Seven – at New York Giants 1 p.m. Loss
Just because these Giants won the Super Bowl doesn’t mean they are going to be amazing. If the Super Bowl Participant curse affects anyone, it’s more likely to be the Giants this season. Going with a loss just because that’s my gut feeling.
Week Eight – Seattle Seahawks 4:15 p.m. Win
Niners get revenge for last season’s embarrasing sweep.
9 Nov. 2 Bye
10 Nov. 10 (Mon.) at Arizona Cardinals 8:30 p.m. Win
Monday Night. The star performers in this game are Frank Gore, Alex Smith and Vernon Davis. The young core of the Mike Nolan Era finally asserts themselves. Leinart and Smith have a classic Monday Night QB duel.
Week Eleven – St. Louis Rams 4:05 p.m. Win
Niners take the division by the throat in this one.
Week Twelve – at Dallas Cowboys 1 p.m. Loss
Cowboys are just too strong a team, and there’s not a whole lot more you can say about that.
Week Thirteen – at Buffalo Bills 1 p.m. Loss
Late November, cold weather, I don’t really know how the team will react. They haven’t had a game like this in a while, except for last season’s road game in Cleveland. Alex Smith shouldn’t be bothered since he played in the cold at Utah, and Vernon Davis played in the Eastern Seaboard wind at Maryland. But overall I think the weather impacts the team in general.
Week Fourteen – New York Jets 4:05 p.m. Win
I just don’t think the Jets improve enough to match the 49ers’ improvements. Likely to see a rookie Quarterback in this contest.
Week Fifteen – at Miami Dolphins 1 p.m. Win
See above.
Week Sixteen – at St. Louis Rams 1 p.m. Loss
One team keeps the 49ers from sweeping the division, and that is the resurgent Rams with Jake Long at the Left Tackle position. Bulger is still deadly accurate, and Stephen Jackson resumes his steamrolling ways.
Week Seventeen – Washington Redskins 4:15 p.m. Win
NBC executes the option to broadcast this final game between two teams looking to make the playoffs. It could come down to a Wildcard chance for both teams, or else the Niners are looking to lock up the Division title. I think this is a great Prime-Time finish.
End of Regular Season
Niners finish 10-6 and go to the playoffs as Division Champs. Team MVP is Frank Gore, going over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage. How do they fare in the playoffs? Who knows?
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hmm. Sounds very nice but realistically.. Highly unlikely! but i’ll try to be optimistic and hope the season goes this way. my gut says 8-8 for this team, the schedule is just too rough this season. every team but maybe 4 or 5 are potential playoff teams. Go niners!
Comment by Erich April 18, 2008 @ 2:13 pmI look at it this way: Every year in the NFL, stuff shakes out that completely surprises everyone. I have to believe that Mike Martz comes in and transforms this team’s confidence. If we do well in our own weak division, we’ll make the playoffs.
Comment by indianajim April 18, 2008 @ 2:39 pmGet Real! As Long as the Niners have a loser for a coach that plays predictable and losing strategy football that only encourages losing, get use to LOSING! Don’t fight the trend. Lower your expectations to maybe winning a game or two and only if you catch a few lucky breaks. This way you won’t be disappointed. Take back your Sundays. Instead of wasting your precious time watching another stinker, just record the game and decide to watch it later and only if it wasn’t too smelly. This way you can do something less painful and more productive like cleaning out your garage or helping your wife hang curtains. The only possibility the fans might hope to have about the future of this franchise is that the Dorks sell the team and Joe Montana or Ronnie Lott buys it.
Comment by NappyNinerHo April 19, 2008 @ 3:17 pmim a cowboys fan but i do like the niners to win their division but nothing further than that. one and done
Comment by theryno June 9, 2008 @ 1:58 amhey this sound really good. In my opinion I think that you left out a potentially very important part of this years offense, Deshaun Foster. I see him having at least 2 long runs for TD’s.
Comment by manny August 14, 2008 @ 1:27 pmthey have a good chance at 10-6….(which is also my hopeful prediction) If osully can step up….and gore rushes for my predicted 1800 yards…hell if we could upset some big teams like the pats or giants….ppl might take us a little more seriously
Comment by 49ers for life September 4, 2008 @ 4:46 pm