Not much is expected of the San Francisco 49ers for the 2016 NFL season under first-year coach Chip Kelly. It might be the least talented roster in the NFL — west of Cleveland anyway — and has a rather depressing quarterback situation with journeyman Blaine Gabbert and once-was-good Colin Kaepernick. Most expect the 49ers to battle the Browns for the top pick in the 2017 draft. The 49ers have a wins total of 5.5 for the coming season in the existing NFL odds. Here we project their record in home games with game-by game odds for the 49ers.
A Look at the NFL Futures Predictions on 49ers’ 2016 Home Record
Week 1 vs. Rams (+2, 46): Monday night game and the first Rams game since moving to Los Angeles. The 49ers beat the visiting St. Louis Rams 19-16 in OT in Week 17 of last season. Phil Dawson kicked a 23-yard field goal 11:33 into overtime for his fourth of the game, and the 49ers held off the Rams in former Coach Jim Tomsula’s finale. His firing was announced about two hours after the game ended at 6:58 p.m. PST. Gabbert passed for 354 yards and a 33-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin for the 49ers.
Week 4 vs. Cowboys (+3): Teams didn’t play last season. The Cowboys actually finished with a worse record because Tony Romo missed most of the season. The Niners won the last meeting in 2014 in Dallas.
Week 5 vs. Cardinals (+6): San Francisco lost 19-13 at home to Arizona in 2015. Gabbert had a final shot with 2:21 left. Boldin caught an 18-yard pass on fourth-and-20 to clinch the win for Arizona. San Francisco outgained Arizona 368-337.
Week 7 vs. Buccaneers (pick’em): Teams didn’t play last season. This will be Niners’ first look at Bucs second-year QB Jameis Winston. Niners won last meeting with Bucs in 2013 and are 17-5 all-time in series.
Week 9 vs. Saints (pick’em): Teams didn’t play in 2015, and it’s hard to see the Saints not being favored here if Drew Brees is healthy. Niners won last meeting 27-24 in 2014.
Week 11 vs. Patriots (+6): This will be Tom Brady’s first-ever regular-season game in San Francisco, which is the area he grew up. No chance the Patriots lose if he’s healthy. Niners did win last meeting 41-34 in 2012 but that was when they were good.
Week 14 vs. Jets (pick’em): There were some rumors that the Niners might trade Kaepernick to the Jets. I guess it still could happen. The Niners are 10-2 all-time vs. Jets but teams haven’t played since 2012.
Week 17 vs. Seahawks (TBA): Sportsbooks don’t post early odds on week 17 because there could be some teams with something to play for — like Seattle probably — and some already eliminated from the playoffs and mailing it in. The 49ers lost 20-3 at home to Seattle last season in Week 7. San Francisco’s 55 yards in the first half were the fewest allowed by the Seahawks defense in an opening half since Week 17 of the 2013 season against St. Louis. The 49ers finished with 142. Kaepernick was the team’s starting QB still back then. He dropped to 1-6 in seven starts against the Seahawks with three touchdown passes to nine interceptions and 24 sacks.
Expert Betting Prediction
My NFL betting picks for the Niners’ 2016 wins total at home is 3. They will beat the Bucs, Saints and Jets. Maybe Seattle only if it already has clinched a playoff spot and rest starters.
