San Francisco 49ers schedule with predictions for each game: Super Bowl hangover avoided in style
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the toughest tasks in football in 2024, getting over a Super Bowl hangover. San Francisco was unable to do so after a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 54, the subsequent 2020 season seeing them finish 6-10. But that was a unique year in […]
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the toughest tasks in football in 2024, getting over a Super Bowl hangover.
San Francisco was unable to do so after a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 54, the subsequent 2020 season seeing them finish 6-10.
But that was a unique year in which the 49ers dealt with a truly remarkable spate of injuries and literally had to move stadiums late in the year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
This time, the 49ers should have a much better shot of bouncing back from their latest agony at the hands of the Chiefs. Here we try to predict how they'll fare in their efforts to bounce back from their overtime defeat in Super Bowl 58.
Week 1: 49ers vs New York Jets (MNF)
49ers win 31-17: It’s certainly a testing opener, with Brock Purdy going up against a vaunted defense and a coaching staff that is obviously very familiar with the 49er offensive scheme.
Where the 49ers’ advantage lies on the other side of the ball, with their defensive front going up against a suspect Jets O-Line and a 40-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tear. It’s dangerous to write off Aaron Rodgers, but all the signs right now point to an unsuccessful return for the four-time MVP.
49ers’ record after Week 1: 1-0
Week 2: 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
49ers win 24-10: A house of horrors for the 49ers, where they haven’t won since the 1992 season, but against either Sam Darnold or a rookie quarterback, they’re well set up to end that run and avenge last year’s Monday Night loss to Minnesota.
49ers’ record after Week 2: 2-0
Week 3: 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
49ers win 27-24: The Rams figure to be a substantially tougher test in 2024 than they have been in recent years, but the 49ers — save for the NFC Championship Game at the end of the 2021 season — have dominated at a venue they’ve dubbed Levi’s South. History says back the 49ers to win a close one.
49ers’ record after Week 3: 3-0
Week 4: 49ers vs New England Patriots
49ers win 27-7: It’s either Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett against the 49ers’ defense. Either way, the matchup is heavily stacked in favor of San Francisco. The 49ers roll.
49ers’ record after Week 4: 4-0
Week 5: 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals
49ers win 38-24: The Cardinals should be better this year with Kyler Murray, who has traditionally given the Niners problems over the years, throwing to Marvin Harrison Jr. Expect something of a shootout, but with the 49ers eventually pulling away.
49ers’ record after Week 5: 5-0
Week 6: 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (TNF)
49ers win 21-17: A Thursday Night game and a short week always presents challenges, yet the 49ers have an excellent track record in such games in Seattle in recent times. Another close one here, though, with Mike MacDonald likely to be a tough nut for Kyle Shanahan to crack.
49ers’ record after Week 6: 6-0
Week 7: 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs
49ers win 28-25: And so to the boogeyman. The 49ers will be rested and have plenty of time to think about their Super Bowl 58 rematch. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is open to interpretation but, eventually, they’ve got to slay the dragon. The 49ers’ roster is better than that of the Chiefs. That didn’t matter when it counted most last season, but it will do here. Dragon slain, at least temporarily, and talk of the 49ers finally getting over the hump reaches fever pitch.
49ers’ record after Week 7: 7-0
Week 8: 49ers vs Dallas Cowboys (SNF)
49ers win 35-10: The 49ers own this rivalry right now, and there’s nothing in what Dallas has done this offseason to suggest that changes. A surging Niners team wins and wins big to maintain a red-hot start.
49ers’ record after Week 8: 8-0
Week 9: BYE
The 49ers get a much-needed week off with a perfect record, two wins shy of tying the franchise's best start to a season.
49ers’ record after Week 9: 8-0
Week 10: 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers win 23-20: This is where it could get a little dicey for the 49ers. A cross-country trip against a team that hung tough with them at Levi’s last year and still has plenty of premium talent. The Niners drop a close one.
49ers’ record after Week 10: 8-1
Week 11: 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
49ers win 31-16: The Seahawks look well placed to improve in 2024, but their weaknesses (interior offensive line, linebacker) are ones the 49ers are perfectly set up to exploit and complete the sweep.
49ers’ record after Week 14: 9-1
Week 12: 49ers at Green Bay Packers
49ers win 27-20: Revenge on the mind for the Packers. Green Bay will feel it has unfinished business after letting last season’s Divisional round playoff slip through their fingers. A young Packers team will be better for that experience and have one of the game’s brightest young quarterbacks in Jordan Love. Still, I don’t think the Packers will have improved enough to knock off the Niners.
49ers’ record after Week 12: 10-1
Week 13: 49ers at Buffalo Bills (SNF)
Bills win 30-21: The most challenging road game on the schedule for the 49ers. December in Buffalo against Josh Allen isn’t a good recipe for success. The 49ers’ defense is much different from the one Allen tore apart in 2020, but it’s easy to see San Francisco coming unstuck here.
49ers’ record after Week 13: 10-2
Week 14: 49ers vs Chicago Bears
49ers win 27-14: Caleb Williams comes to town and has what will likely be one of many ‘welcome to the NFL’ moments. The Bears are talented, but they’re not yet on a level to challenge the 49ers on the road.
49ers’ record after Week 14: 11-2
Week 15: 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
Rams win 28-24: The Rams’ win at Levi’s last year was meaningless as it came in a Week 18 game in which both rested starters. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the strides the Rams made last season, even if enthusiasm could be checked by Aaron Donald’s retirement. I see a series split here.
49ers’ record after Week 15: 11-3
Week 16: 49ers at Miami Dolphins
49ers win 30-21: Back in November 2022, Brock Purdy led the 49ers to victory over the Dolphins in relief of an injured Jimmy Garoppolo to begin a fairytale rise. There’s nothing in the makeup of these two teams that suggests he won’t do the same again on the road.
49ers’ record after Week 16: 12-3
Week 17: 49ers vs Detroit Lions (MNF)
49ers win 34-20: No team wants revenge over the 49ers more than the Lions after their epic collapse in the NFC Championship Game last season. If this game was at Ford Field I’d rate their chances of getting it much higher. San Francisco responds to the loss to the Rams and in style.
49ers’ record after Week 17: 13-3
Week 18: 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
49ers win 31-17: The Cardinals will be dangerous and depending on their position in the race for seeding the 49ers could be resting starters. Still, all thing being equal the 49ers should round off the regular season with a win.
49ers’ record after Week 18: 14-3
Final Record: 14-3
The 49ers’ win total, per DraftKings Sportsbook, is set at a lofty 11.5. With the history of how difficult it is to get back to the Super Bowl, there’s a case to be made that the 49ers are due for a slight step back.
But the first five weeks of the season set up nicely for them to get on a roll and their bye is extremely well-timed ahead of a very difficult stretch to end the season.
The 49ers still have the most loaded roster in football and, though there are legitimate concerns about the offensive line, it’s one set up to withstand the tests they will face on what is a manageable schedule.
Once the Niners get a head of steam, they’re difficult to slow down, and they’ll likely be in position to claim the one seed in the NFC again.
