Predicting how 49ers' season ends after lowly 2-3 start
Can the 49ers turn their season around or is it time to bury the idea of a Super Bowl return? Josh Schrock predicts the rest of the 49ers' season.
It was nine months ago that the 49ers fell apart in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas Chiefs.
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch spent the offseason tinkering around the edges of the roster, discussing Tom Brady's potential fit and preparing for a march back to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers were locked-in and motivated to prove their 13-3 2019 season wasn't a fluke.
49ers insider Matt Maiocco had them penciled in for the playoffs prior to the season. I had them getting back to the NFC Championship Game before falling short.
That feels like a long, long time ago.
After getting embarrassed by the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers now are 2-3 and their season is circling the drain.
Former 49ers quarterback and current NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Jeff Garcia believes they might only win two more games on the schedule. Former NFL defensive end Chris Long only sees three Ws left on the schedule.
Some are thinking about tanking for a quarterback or trading for Matt Ryan. The alarms are going off in Santa Clara.
But let's go through the schedule and re-predict how the struggling Niners will finish their season.
The 49ers hope Jimmy Garoppolo's ankle will be a little healthier this Sunday.
But some of the poor throws Garoppolo unleashed against the Dolphins before being benched didn't look like they were the product of a hobbled ankle. He was just bad, as he was in a Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Richard Sherman had a setback and won't returning as planned. The Rams have been rolling on both sides of the ball and plan to make a statement against the defending NFC champions.
Close your eyes, 49ers fans.
Prediction: Rams 31, 49ers 20
Record: 2-4
Backs against the wall and facing Bill Belichick and Cam Newton? Not a great place to be.
Garoppolo looks a little sharper in his old stomping grounds, but Newton dazzles by throwing for 325 yards and rushing for another 60, sealing the win with an 8-yard touchdown run with under two minutes to play.
Prediction: Patriots 31, 49ers 23
Record: 2-5
Russell Wilson has been amazing but the Seahawks' defense has given up an average of 471 yards per game to the Falcons, Patriots, Cowboys, Dolphins and Vikings.
These games are almost always close and this one is no different.
Garoppolo and the "YAC Bros" go nuts against the Seahawks' leaky secondary and Robbie Gould kicks a game-winning field goal to keep the 49ers' season barely alive.
Prediction: 49ers 34, Seahawks 31
Record: 3-5
The good feelings from the win over the Seahawks don't last long.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers haven't forgotten the two beatdowns the 49ers gave them last year.
Rodgers, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones go nuts as Nick Bosa watches helplessly as the 49ers can't get pressure on the Packers quarterback.
Prediction: Packers 34, 49ers 17
Record: 3-6
The 49ers run into another opponent looking to avenge a 2019 loss. George Kittle's massive catch-and-run cost the Saints a first-round bye and led to their defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings last season.
New Orleans won't let that happen again.
Drew Brees' noodle arm still has enough left to get the ball to Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, who makes the day a living hell for Robert Saleh and the 49ers' defense.
Garoppolo plays well but a late pick-six sends the 49ers to another defeat.
Prediction: Saints 34, 49ers 21
Record: 3-7
The 49ers exit their bye knowing they need to run the table and get some help to make the playoffs.
Luckily for them, Jared Goff and the Rams have cooled off a touch in late November and the 49ers have finally gotten healthier.
Jared Goff is sacked five times and picked twice as the 49ers give a charge to their dying season.
Prediction: 49ers 28, Rams 17
Record: 4-7
The win over the Rams has energized the 49ers, but here comes Josh Allen and the Bills.
Garoppolo and Allen go throw for throw in the first half, but the second half is a different story. Garoppolo is picked off to open the third quarter and Allen takes over from there.
Allen hits Stefon Diggs for touchdowns of 55 and 48 yards in the second half as the Bills stick a fork in the 49ers' playoff hopes.
Prediction: Bills 30, 49ers 21
Record: 4-8
With their playoff hopes all but dashed, the 49ers take their anger out on a pretty terrible Football Team. (Seriosuly, we need a different name).
Kyle Allen throws two pick-sixes and Garoppolo tosses three touchdowns in a rout at Levi's Stadium. Alex Smith relieves Allen and throws a touchdown pass in garbage time.
Good feelings all around.
Prediction: 49ers 34, Football Team 14
Record: 5-8
Andy Dalton vs. the DOA 49ers isn't what "Sunday Night Football" had in mind when it penciled in 49ers vs. Cowboys in December.
Regardless, it's an entertaining affair. CeeDee Lamb makes the 49ers regret passing on him with the No. 14 overall pick, catching 8 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
But the 49ers get the last laugh against an awful Cowboys defense. Garoppolo connects with George Kittle from 14 yards out with five seconds remaining to steal a win and deal a blow to Dallas' NFC East hopes.
Prediction: 49ers 30, Cowboys 28
Record: 6-8
The roles have reversed in this matchup as the Cardinals are the ones entering Week 16 with something to play for with the 49ers looking to play spoiler.
Saleh's defense is motivated to prove it can stop Kyler Murray, but that's easier said than done.
Murray once again scorches the 49ers, throwing for 315 yards and two touchdowns while finding the end zone two more times with his legs as the Cardinals clinch a playoff berth.
Prediction: Cardinals 28, 49ers 24
Record: 6-9
Last year, the 49ers won the division and the top seed in the NFC by 1 yard in Week 17 at CenturyLink Field.
The Seahawks arrive at Levi's Stadium needing a win to secure the top seed in 2020, and Russell Wilson isn't about to let that opportunity slip away.
Wilson cements his MVP case by throwing for 350 yards and four scores, three of which go to DK Metcalf who Wilson once again proclaims as the next Jerry Rice after the game.
The 49ers head into the offseason with a lot of question marks following the mother of all Super Bowl hangovers.
Prediction: Seahawks 31, 49ers 17
Record: 6-10
