2023 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS WIN PREDICTION

BY ADAM GREENE

All the San Francisco 49ers did in the 2022 preseason was attempt to toss their season right into the garbage, but fate had other plans. Trey Lance, who would have led the Niners to an 8-9 record at best, was injured in the second game and Jimmy Garoppolo took over and immediately made the 49ers a contender.

It turns out, San Francisco had another Garoppolo on the roster, Brock Purdy, and he got them to the NFC Championship once Jimmy G was lost for the season. Once again, that’s where their season ended as it often does. But, hey, 2023 is a new year.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

2022-23 Record: 13-4

Playoffs: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game

Presumed Starters

QB: Brock Purdy

RB: Christian McCaffrey

WR: Deebo Samuel

WR: Brandon Aiyuk

WR: Jauan Jennings

TE: George Kittle

FB: Kyle Juszczyk

LT: Trent Williams

LG: Aaron Banks

C: Jake Brendel

RG: Spencer Burford

RT: Colton McKivitz

LDE: Cleeland Ferrell

LDT: Arik Armstead

RDT: Javon Hargrave

RDE: Nick Bosa

WLB: Dre Greenlaw

MLB: Fred Warner

SLB: Oren Burks

LCB: Charvarius Ward

RCB: Deinnidire Lenoir

SS: Talanoa Hufanga

FS: Tashaun Gipson, Sr.

K: Jake Moody

P: Mitch Wishnowsky

PR: Ray-Ray McCloud III

KR: Ray-Ray McCloud III

2023 NFL Draft: Round 3: Ji’Ayir Brown, Safety, Penn State, Round 3: Jake Moody, Kicker, Michigan, Round 3: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama, Round 5: Darrell Luter, Jr., CB, South Alabama, Round 5: Robert Beal, Jr., Edge, Georgia, Round 6: Dee Winters, LB, TCU, Round 7: Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma, Round 7: Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan, Round 7: Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue

Players Gained: Javon Hargrave – DT (FA), Isaiah Oliver – CB (FA), Sam Darnold – QB (FA), Clelin Ferrell – DE (FA), Jon Felciano – Center (FA), Brandon Allen – QB (FA), Matt Pryor – OG (FA), Austin Bryant – DE (FA), Darryl Johnon – DE (FA), Anthony Avertett – CB (FA), Myles Hartsfield – CB (FA)

Players Lost: Trey Lance – QB, Mike McGilnchey – RT, Jimmy Garoppolo – QB, Samson Ebukam – DE, Charles Omenihu – DE, Jimmie Ward – Safety, Eammanuel Moseley – CB, Daniel Brunskill – OT, Azeez Al-Shaair – LB, Haasan Ridgeway – DT, Josh Joshnon – QB, Tyler Kroft – TE, Jordan Willis – DE, Tavarius Moore – Safety

San Francisco 49ers 2023 Odds

2023 Super Bowl Odds: +650

2023 NFC Championship Odds: +210

2023 NFC West Odds: -450

Team Wins: Over 12.5 (-115), Under 12.5 (-115)

We’re two games into the season and the 49ers look like the best team in football. Of course, that’s happened before and has not worked out, but that was pre the Brock Purdy era. Yes, I predicted that Brock Purdy would be benched before Thanksgiving, but I can say, if that turns out to be wrong, I’m happy about it. I thought the preseason love on Purdy was a little strong, but unlike my compatriots in NFL punditry, I can admit when I might be wrong. I say “might” because there’s a lot of season left.

You might say, “Hey, Adam (because we’re on a first name basis and are cool like that), aren’t you a 49er hater?” I say, there’s a difference between hating a team and being a hater of a team. I hate the 49ers, because the Los Angeles Rams are my favorite team. I am a hater of the New England Patriots because they have been a cancerous growth upon the NFL for the last two decades.

As a Rams fan, I want the Niners to be good. I want them to have hope. And then, in the playoffs, I want LA to crush those hopes thoroughly, as happened perfectly in 2021-22. That’s hating a team. I want them to think they’re on the way to a Super Bowl championship only to have a cream pie pushed into their face in the final minutes by the Rams. I could not have enjoyed that season more.

I want the Pats to go 0-17 for the rest of human history until the sun burns out. That’s being a hater. That’s the difference.

The NFL is better if the 49ers are good and they are very good this year. They could win every single game on their schedule. They won’t, but they could.

2023-23 Win Prediction: 12-5

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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