SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers have an uphill climb to get back to being a contender in the NFC West. But in the first year of a new regime led by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, a step in the right direction following a 2-14 effort would qualify as an acceptable 2017 season.
In April, we predicted a 6-10 record for the Niners before they'd even gone through the draft or been on the field. Now that we've made it through camp and the offseason, we have only a slight tweak that comes from concerns about the offensive line and secondary. Make no mistake, the 49ers will be better and more competitive than a season ago, but there was simply too much to fix in one offseason for the type of major turnaround that will put them in playoff contention right away.
Here's one guess at how this season will play out for the 49ers:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10 vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m. ET
If Panthers quarterback Cam Newton isn't right, the 49ers could start with a win in Shanahan's debut. But the guess here is Newton will be ready to go and Carolina steals a close one late. Record: 0-1
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Niners have struggled mightily in Seattle in recent years, and though the Seahawks aren't invincible at home anymore, they're still the cream of the NFC West crop. Record: 0-2
Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 21 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:25 p.m. ET
Can the 49ers' recent success against the Rams continue without Jeff Fisher in charge of Los Angeles? Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay are considered two of the best young offensive minds in the league, but Shanahan is more proven and he gets his first win as a head coach here. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Niners should have a chance to make up ground on the Cardinals in the division this year, and this will be a tough test for San Francisco's revamped run defense. Arizona hands the Niners a loss to begin a rough three-game road stretch. Record: 1-3
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8 at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
Andrew Luck should be healthy and rounding into form for the Colts by this point in the season, and the Niners' first long trip of the season will take its toll in a narrow defeat. Record: 1-4
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15 at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET
The final leg of the brutal road swing comes with the longest trip of the trio and the Niners fall short after a week of constant Kirk Cousins discussion. Record: 1-5
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:05 p.m. ET
The 49ers hung with the Cowboys for a half last season before falling apart in the second frame. They should be able to stick around longer this time, but Dez Bryant and the Dallas receivers will be a headache for a San Francisco secondary with a lot of questions. Record: 1-6
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29 at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET
Another cross-country trip to play an NFC East opponent results in another defeat as the 49ers' losing streak reaches five and Shanahan's ability to deal with adversity gets a heavy test. Record: 1-7
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET
After four road games in five weeks, the Niners finally return home to see a familiar opponent. This time, they right the ship as the team's many young players start to hit their stride. Record: 2-7
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12 vs. New York Giants, 4:25 p.m. ET
New York's talented defense will be a tough test for Niners quarterback Brian Hoyer & Co., but especially for an offensive line with question marks along the interior. Combined with receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s big day, the 49ers drop to 0-4 against the NFC East. Record: 2-8
Week 11: Bye.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET
By this point in the season, the Niners should have closed the gap on the Seahawks, but they won't be quite ready to knock off the reigning division champs. A close loss provides hope of the 49ers finally getting over the hump against Seattle in 2018. Record: 2-9
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
In a game that has become something of an early December "tradition," the 49ers go to Chicago for the third straight year, and second in a row in this week. A win here kicks off an end-of-season run that gives the 49ers a chance to finish strong and lay a foundation for the future. Record: 3-9
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10 at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Somewhere along the way, the Niners are going to knock off a team as a road underdog. This is a game where that would seem plausible, but the expectation here is that rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson will be finding his footing and the Texans' defense makes life difficult for San Francisco's offense. Record: 3-10
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17 vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Niners are home for the holidays and first host the Titans and Marcus Mariota. Tennessee is a trendy preseason pick to make the playoffs, and though the Titans still have plenty to prove, the Niners come up short here. Record: 3-11
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m. ET
In a game that is sure not to draw the attention of the NFL's flex scheduling, the 49ers officially double their win total from a season ago with an impressive and convincing win. Record: 4-11
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET
A second straight win and another victory against a division rival gives the 49ers something to build on heading into an offseason that figures to be huge in shaping the future of the franchise under Lynch and Shanahan. Record: 5-11