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          NFL Nation

          Difficult opening schedule will be tough for San Francisco 49ers to overcome

          • Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterSep 5, 2016, 10:00 PM
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              Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL at ESPN since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In his 10 years with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga. You can follow Nick via Twitter @nwagoner
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          SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers begin anew with Chip Kelly and his staff taking over in 2016. What once looked like a potential dynasty now looks to be a team in rebuilding mode and though there are a lot of intriguing young players on the roster, many are unproven.

          While you never know how teams will fare from year-to-year, the Niners face a daunting schedule the first five weeks which could be difficult to navigate. Despite that, this is a team that won five games last season with a head coach who was in over his head. Even against a difficult schedule, Kelly should help add another win to the total for a 6-10 finish.

          Week 1: Monday, Sept. 12 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 10:20 p.m. ET

          The 49ers get the first shot at the returning L.A. version of the Rams and with an opportunity to rekindle their rivalry. San Francisco finds a way to win a slugfest on Monday Night Football. Record: 1-0.

          Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

          A trip across the country to face the defending NFC champions doesn't look like a favorable matchup for the 49ers as Cam Newton has a big day. Record: 1-1.

          Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET

          The 49ers haven't had much luck against Seattle lately and it's hard to see them reversing that trend on the road. Record: 1-2.

          Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET

          Dallas is unlikely to have quarterback Tony Romo, which makes this a winnable game for the Niners, but after a pair of tough road trips, the 49ers don't have enough to finish them and the Cowboys steal one late. Record: 1-3.

          Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:25 p.m. ET

          The Niners had the Cardinals on the ropes at home last season before falling victim to some questionable flags that went the other way. This time, the Niners benefit from playing back-to-back weeks at home and a short week. Record: 2-3.

          Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET

          Another daunting trip across the country with an early start will test Kelly's daily schedule of having early practices. The Niners should be able to keep it close but the Bills get it done. Record: 2-4.

          Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m. ET

          This time, the long trip across the country works in San Francisco's favor as the Niners defense is able to get after Jameis Winston and force some turnovers. Record: 3-4.

          Week 8: Bye

          Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m. ET

          The Niners enjoy the fruits of playing at home coming off the bye and find a way to get their first winning streak of the season. Record: 4-4.

          Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET

          There's no short week or home-field advantage this time and Arizona cruises to another home win. Record: 4-5.

          Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20 vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET

          Tom Brady will be back and the Patriots will be rolling by the time these two teams meet, which makes the Patriots too much for the Niners to overcome. Record: 4-6.

          Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

          This looks like another coin toss game but this is the second-longest trip a team can have in the NFL and the Dolphins grab the win as the Niners wilt late. Record: 4-7.

          Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

          Back-to-back road trips are difficult for the 49ers but they won in Chicago last year and though these teams will be different, San Francisco gets it done again. Record: 5-7.

          Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 vs. New York Jets, 4:05 p.m. ET

          The Jets are a difficult team to predict this year after taking advantage of one of the lightest schedules in the league a year ago. The guess here is they'll find a way to still be hanging on to the playoff mix at this point and take a must-win game in Santa Clara. Record: 5-8.

          Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 at Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m. ET

          Like the Chicago game, this is a rematch of teams that played a year ago and a game the Niners won. Although San Francisco hits the road for a long trip again, the Niners grab the victory for a second straight year against a Falcons team with nothing to play for at this point of the season. Record: 6-8.

          Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET

          A Christmas eve trip to L.A. brings back fun memories for fans of this rivalry but the Niners can't come up with consecutive road victories here. Record: 6-9.

          Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET

          Getting to seven wins would be a solid accomplishment, especially if the Niners could do it against Seattle, but the Seahawks will have something to play for here and have the Niners' number. Record: 6-10.