We are now five games into the 2024-2025 NFL season. What will the 49ers season be like?
By: Ishita Chopra and Cally Li
Week 6 (Oct 10): at Seattle Seahawks (Away) Loss
This game can go either way. It’s an important divisional game, but it will be a challenge since they’ve had a short week as they’re playing on Thursday night. Furthermore, they are also playing in Seattle which is a notoriously difficult atmosphere to play in. Due to the stadium’s overhead coverage, sound gets pushed towards the field causing it to be extremely noisy. Seattle has been playing very well this season and is currently at the top of the NFC West, being 2-0 at home. We hope that the Niners will win, but they are 0-2 on the road so far this season, so they will have to pull out something special.
Week 7 (Oct 20): vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Home) Win
This is a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl which the Niners lost in overtime. But they are playing this game at home. While Kansas City is currently 4-0, they have had multiple major injuries of critical players such as Rashee Rice who tore his ACL. However, the Niners record against a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs is 0-4, losing in two Super Bowls and two regular season games. The Niners are also riddled with injury on both offense and defense, but the Chiefs don’t have as many impact players as the Niners do even with their injuries. So we believe the Niners can come out with the win.
Week 8 (Oct 27): vs. Dallas Cowboys (Home) Win
The Cowboys and Niners have a long rivalry that goes back to the 1970s, so this game will be an entertaining one. In recent years, the Niners are 4-0 against the Cowboys. In both last season’s playoffs and the year before, the Niners have won, even if just by a slim margin. The Cowboys are struggling this season, especially on the defensive side against the running game—something we anticipate the Niners will take advantage of considering their frequent utilization of it. With McCaffrey out, the backup Jordan Mason has been playing very well, so we are hopeful that they will run all over the Cowboy’s defense!
Week 9: BYE
Week 10 (Nov 10): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Away) Win
This game will be tough as so far, Tampa Bay has been playing well this season with Baker Mayfield. But, we don’t believe anyone on the Buccaneers can match up with the Niners level of skill & talent. Historically, they have a record of 36-16 under Shanahan after the bye week. We are confident that the players will get the rest they need and come back with a win.
Week 11 (Nov 17): vs. Seattle Seahawks (Home) Win
As we mentioned in our previous Seahawks prediction we think this game will be hard, but hopeful they can come out with a win. Niners have swept the season’s matchups against Seattle for the last two seasons, meaning that they are 4-0 in the last two seasons. This game will be at home, and we are optimistic that the atmosphere can help bring the Niners the win.
Week 12 (Nov 24): at Green Bay Packers (Away) Win
This game will be tough because they are playing in Green Bay during winter in the cold. They haven’t been to Green Bay in the regular season since 2018, a game they lost (they also haven’t won in Green Bay since 2012). Green Bay looks to be a strong team with their top 10 quarterback Jordan Love who is now back from injury. But, the Niners can overcome the cold and win.
Week 13 (Dec 1): at Buffalo Bills (Away) Loss
This will be another winter game, something the Niners are not used to playing in. The Niners have not beaten Buffalo since 2012. Josh Allen is another top 5 quarterback—he has exceptional versatility with his ability to both throw the ball and run, something which has historically given the Niners defense trouble. This will be a tough matchup and we think they will lose.
Week 14 (Dec 8): vs. Chicago Bears (Home) Win
The Chicago Bears is a decent team with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams who has been playing fairly well. However, we believe our top-ranked offense combined with a relentless defense will put a stop to Caleb Williams. With dynamic players on both sides of the ball, we believe the Niners will walk away with the win.
Week 15 (Dec 12): vs. Los Angeles Rams (Home) Win
Despite the rough loss against the Rams earlier this season, the Niners offensive line will hopefully be healthy enough to welcome back tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Christian McCaffrey, defensive safety Talanoa Hufanga, and many more for this matchup back at home. Even though we can’t ignore the return of star wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in this matchup, we believe that with a healthy roster, the Niners defense will put a stop to them and secure the crucial win.
Week 16 (Dec 22): at Miami Dolphins (Away) Win
With the Miami Dolphins’ star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out for a concussion, the Team’s offensive drive is questionable with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. It is predicted that Tagovailoa will make a return by Week 8, but the chemistry between Tagovailoa and star player wide receiver Tyreek Hill raises concerns about the potency of the Dolphins’ offensive drive. Even though this is an away game for the Niners, we think this would be a close Niners win.
Week 17 (Dec 30): vs. Detroit Lions (Home) Win
A rematch of the NFC Championship game will be an interesting one. The Lions have become a strong team, but the Niners will capitalize on playing at home late in the season. The Lions’ offense, led by Jared Goff and a strong running game, will definitely challenge the Niners but our defensive line likely will disrupt Goff’s rhythm and drive, thus securing another Niner win.
Week 18 (Jan 5th): vs. Arizona Cardinals (Away) Win
Despite the disappointing loss against the Cardinals earlier in the season back at home, the Niners will learn from previous mistakes with a healthy roster as we prepare for playoffs. Through the Niners’ unique defense and playmaking, we believe the Niners will end the season with a win.
So, currently, the Niners are 2-3, and we believe that they will end the season 12-5. Hopefully, that is enough to secure a playoff spot. We don’t believe that they will win their division this year with many losses to their division teams, but hopeful they can secure the second spot. We believe that this is one of the last seasons that the Niners can win the Super Bowl as it’s the last year with Purdy’s rookie contract. While it doesn’t look easy for them, the team has the talent and resilience to overcome the losses and be a contending team for the Super Bowl win.
