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No. 24: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Last Season: 8-8
Third place, NFC West
The 49ers know they can contend with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback -- if they have a strong ground game and a top-five defense. Kaepernick's completion rate actually improved from 2013, but his interception rate climbed and he took 52 sacks, more than any QB except Blake Bortles (55). "[Jim] Harbaugh allowed him to get exposed a little by trying to have him win, to be the centerpiece of the offense instead of what he does naturally -- running," one personnel director laments. Now with Harbaugh and O-coordinator Greg Roman gone, he's got to rely on new head coach Jim Tomsula and a less proven staff. They'll recommit to the ground game -- with RB Carlos Hyde taking over for the departed Frank Gore -- and hope the young defensive talent (Arik Armstead, Eli Harold, Corey Lemonier) plays well enough to overcome the departures of Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and Chris Borland. But that might not be enough. We know the final game of the season will be at Levi's Stadium. It's looking less likely that the Niners will be playing in it. -- Mike Sando
Yes, there has been an exodus of Biblical proportions from Santa Clara, California, but there is still front-line talent. This new coaching staff will not let ego get in the way of developing a game plan and, being all on the same page this year, as opposed to last season, players will be put in the best position to succeed. With the hard-driving Jim Harbaugh gone, it feels as though a dark cloud has lifted and Jim Tomsula is a kinder, gentler coach who knows which buttons to push.
Remember that whole exodus of Biblical proportions business? Yeah, it's simply too much for the Niners to overcome. And make no mistake about it, this is a rebuilding project, not a reloading situation. There are simply too many holes and Aldon Smith was supposed to be a building block. So, too, was Ahmad Brooks, and now his status is in the air. Look at it this way -- the Niners were 8-8 last year and can you honestly say they got better this offseason?
49ers' percentage chance to win each game
Sept. 14 vs. Minnesota: 55.7
Sept. 20 @ Pittsburgh: 31.0
Sept. 27 @ Arizona: 35.4
Oct. 4 vs. Green Bay: 36.6
Oct. 11 @ N.Y. Giants: 37.5
Oct. 18 vs. Baltimore: 46.6
Oct. 22 vs. Seattle: 36.0
Nov. 1 @ St. Louis: 40.6
Nov. 8 vs. Atlanta: 53.6
Nov. 22 @ Seattle: 26.4
Nov. 29 vs. Arizona: 47.5
Dec. 6 @ Chicago: 42.8
Dec. 13 @ Cleveland: 45.9
Dec. 20 vs. Cincinnati: 47.3
Dec. 27 @ Detroit: 35.8
Jan. 3 vs. St. Louis: 53.2
Paul Gutierrez's game-by-game predictions
Going from the manic personality of Harbaugh to the mellow mien of Tomsula. Harbaugh was the face of the franchise as it went to three straight NFC title games, including a Super Bowl appearance, before last year's implosion. And while the franchise is still dealing with the repercussions of the purported alpha-male battle between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, at least everyone, from the 90th man on the roster to CEO Jed York, is on the same page now.
Last year's problems were not a talent problem; they had more to do with injuries and, well, coaching. Specifically, obstinate coaching that did not put players in the optimum position for success. So, with players healthy -- paging NaVorro Bowman -- and happy -- is that the read-option returning, Colin Kaepernick? -- and the problem (coaching) now gone, it's all good and the sky's the limit, right? At least, that's the vibe emanating from Santa Clara. Fool's gold, or gold nugget?
The Niners have enough talent and imagination to make things interesting. But so many questions abound and there are not enough answers. The schedule is a bear early on, not exactly a talisman for a team that needs as many breaks as possible. The pieces are in place for this season to be either a heartwarming tale of underdogs and a self-described nobody-from-nowhere coach fighting against all odds and accomplishing a goal, or an unmitigated dumpster fire.
No. 23 Falcons | No. 25 Bears | NFC West | Full List
