San Francisco 49ers 2010 Season Predictions: Nothing Short of Perfection
San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary wants to win every game. Preseason, Regular Season, Postseason, it makes no difference.
Ask Coach Sing to predict the team's record for the coming season and he will likely give you a direct answer. But it will not have anything to do with a number of wins and losses. He is much more likely to say something like, "We're going to go out there, work harder than the other team on every play, earn every down, and try to win every game."
Coach Sing has it right.
Never will you hear Coach Sing spouting nonsense about setting a "goal" of going 10-6 or 12-4. Winning the division, even winning the conference simply is not good enough. Coach Sing will never be satisfied with anything less than a Super Bowl victory, and even then if the team loses games along the way, he is not likely to be completely happy.
Why should it be any other way?
Athletes, coaches, and fans alike too often get caught up in the fallacy of what is "realistic" or "achievable." They would have you believe that the 49ers are good enough to win their division and maybe even a playoff game or two, but the NFC Championship and Super Bowl are too much of a reach (they said the same of the 1981 49ers by the way).
They would tell you no team has ever been perfect on a 16-game season, how could this team possibly be the first?
The fact of the matter is every team every week takes the field with the intention of winning. Therefore by default the only "goal" and the only "prediction" worth making is 19-0-0. Setting a goal of anything less is simply saying that some measure of failure is expected and worse yet acceptable. That is not the Coach Sing way.
Furthermore, if one looks at the 49ers' upcoming schedule, one will see that there is no game in which the 49ers have no chance whatsoever. Parity has diluted the league to such a degree that no game is given in its outcome, and the 49ers have a strong if not stellar team. It should then stand to reason that if the 49ers could win any game, they could by extension win every game. They could taste perfection and the sweet satisfaction that so narrowly evaded the team in 1984 and 1989.
If you were hoping for a "realistic" or "legitimate" prediction of the 49ers' 2010 season, you will be disappointed in reading on. Head on over to more conventional sports media outlets and read all about Ray Ratto or Ira Miller’s opinions on what games the 49ers might as well write off right now.
How could I respect myself as a 49er fan after picking them to lose? If the 49ers cannot go 19-0-0 in a scenario that I completely control, what struggles might await them when fate takes the reins? Why focus on the negative? This could actually happen!
If the 49ers were to do the "impossible," and knock the 1972 Miami Dolphins from their perch, how might things play out?
Week 1 @ Seattle Seahawks: 49ers 24, Seahawks 13
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The 49ers open the regular season in the Emerald City this season, seeking retribution for a loss there last year that doomed the hopes of a late-season playoff push. This game will not be as dramatic as that disappointment from a year ago, but the 49ers will leave room for improvement.
Quarterback Alex Smith will have a decent debut, putting up 237 yards passing with one touchdown and no interceptions. Running backs Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, and Anthony Dixon will platoon for a modest 107 total yards with two touchdowns against a rush defense that was middle of the pack at No. 15 last season. Gore will lead the way with 62 yards and a touchdown and Dixon will chip in with a goal-line score for his first NFL touchdown.
Inspired by his former college head coach passing on him in the draft, safety Taylor Mays will impress in his NFL debut. He will make three solo tackles on special teams coverage and force a fumble from Matt Hasselbeck on a safety blitz in the red zone, nullifying a key Seattle scoring chance.
Week 2 V. New Orleans Saints: Saints 31, 49ers 34
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The 49ers open home play on national television, Monday night on 20 September against the defending World Champion New Orleans Saints. Beating the defending champions is never an easy task, but if you want to be the best, you must beat the best. The 49ers will find a way.
Alex Smith will use weapons like Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Josh Morgan to carve up a secondary that was susceptible to the deep ball last year. Crabtree will have his first 100-yard receiving game and he and Davis will find the end zone. Smith will throw for 304 yards with two touchdowns but surrender a key interception, allowing the Saints a chance to win the game late.
The running game will find a little more ground, gaining 118 yards on the night. Westbrook will highlight his versatility, scoring two touchdowns on the ground and picking up more than 50 yards through the air.
Patrick Willis will bail out Alex Smith for his late turnover, tipping a Drew Brees pass into the hands of fellow linebacker Manny Lawson. The turnover will allow the 49ers to drive within field goal range, and Joe Nedney will seal the deal as time expires.
Week 3 @ Kansas City Chiefs: 49ers 38, Chiefs 13
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The 49ers travel to Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since 2006. They lost that game 41-0.They will not quite return the favor, but will enjoy a resounding victory.
Alex Smith and the passing offense will have a light day as the stable of RB finds wide-open lanes through a defense that ranked 31st in the league last year against the run on their way to 4-12 season. Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon will both rush for over 100 yards (Dixon breaking a long strike for 79 yards for a score) as the 49ers gain 227 yards on the ground.
The defense will hound Matt Cassel, sacking him four times and forcing five turnovers, and wide receiver Kyle Williams will break punt return for his first NFL touchdown.
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Week 4 @ Atlanta Falcons: 49ers 28, Falcons 14
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A Week 5 battle with the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park last season was the start of a devastating 1-5 stretch for the 3-1 49ers last season, as they were dominated by Atlanta 45-10. The 3-0 49ers will suffer no such setback this year.
Alex Smith will have another fine performance, netting 314 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception. Josh Morgan will be his favorite target, gaining 117 yards, and WR Ted Ginn Jr. will contribute with 64-yard touchdown catch-and-run reception. The running game will struggle, however, against a defense that ranked in the top ten in the league against the run last season. The RBs will post just 92 yards total and fail to score.
Nate Clements will prove he is back to stay, late in the game. With Matt Ryan driving the Falcons for the a late game-tying score, pressure from defensive end Justin Smith and LB NaVorro Bowman will force an early throw which Clements will intercept and return 72 yards for the game-clinching score.
Week 5 V. Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles 13, 49ers 27
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Brian Westbrook will get the opportunity to face the Eagles for the first time since leaving his former team of eight seasons. It will come in a nationally televised Sunday night contest. He will post respectable numbers, with 52 yards rushing and 44 yards receiving with one touchdown.
The Eagles will limit the 49ers’ rushing attack, keeping the game within reach until late in the fourth quarter. The game will change on a Patrick Willis interception of Kevin Kolb, setting up the 49ers offense within the Eagles’ 30-yardline. Two short runs will force a third-down pass and Alex Smith will find WR Kyle Williams on a crossing route for 26 yards and the game-clinching touchdown.
Week 6 V. Oakland Raiders: Raiders 7, 49ers 27
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The Raiders have an improved roster, and will limit the 49ers’ production, particularly in the passing game. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will neutralize Michael Crabtree, limiting him to just one reception. But Alex Smith will still prove he is a better option at QB than Jason Campbell, whom many 49ers fans hoped to see in San Francisco this offseason.
Smith will work secondary options, finding Josh Morgan and Kyle Williams for yardage where available. He will still have a mediocre day by all accounts, throwing for just 216 yards and one touchdown to tight end Delanie Walker. His ball control and offensive rhythm, however, will set him apart from Campbell, who will suffer five sacks and throw three interceptions.
The 49er RBs will rule the day with Frank Gore in classic form. Gore will tally 124 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that ranked 29th against the run last season.
Week 7 @ Carolina Panthers: 49ers 21, Panthers 10
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Alex Smith will have his most vexing day of the season, throwing for just 185 yards and one touchdown but throwing three interceptions against the fourth-ranked pass defense from last year. The defense and running game will save the day, however, putting up impressive performances.
The 49er defense will limit the inexperienced QB Matt Moore to just 48 yards passing over the first 21 minutes of play before a hit from LB Parys Haralson will knock him out the game. Rookie back-up Jimmy Clausen will have a rude introduction to the NFL, throwing interceptions to CB Shawntae Spencer and S Dashon Goldson.
Brian Westbrook will have his first true break-out game as a 49er, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown and adding 57 yards through the air.
Week 8 V. Denver Broncos: Broncos 9, 49ers 28
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Playing in front of an international audience in London’s Old Wembley Stadium, the 49er defense will take a step forward, holding a team without a touchdown for the first time on the season.
Patrick Willis will force two fumbles, one from QB Brady Quinn and one from RB Correll Buckhalter, which he will recover and return himself for a touchdown. CBs Nate Clements and Tarrell Brown will contribute with interceptions and S Taylor Mays will nullify and would-be touchdown by laying out former 49er WR Brandon Lloyd while he attempts to catch a pass in the end-zone, jarring the ball loose.
The running game will again carry the offense with Anthony Dixon compiling 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 10 V. St. Louis Rams: Rams 0, 49ers 41
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Following a Week 9 bye, the 49er defense will build on its strong performance in London, posting their first shutout against the lowly St. Louis Rams.
The defense will force six turnovers, continually setting up the offense in excellent position and limiting total offensive yardage. Alex Smith will throw for 281 yards and four touchdowns, while the running backs will find 192 yards on the ground with Frank Gore leading the way at 105.
Ted Ginn Jr. will finally show some flash on kick return duty, taking the opening kick 102 yards for the touchdown to stake the 49ers to an early lead.
Week 11 V. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Buccaneers 3, 49ers 24
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The 49ers will continue a strong stretch of convincing victories, though the Buccaneers will keep things more respectable than the Rams.
Alex Smith will have an up-and-down day, with 274 yards passing and two touchdowns but also two interceptions. Smith’s struggles will limit the production of the running game against a defense which was the worst in the league against the run last year. They will still manage to find 155 yards, however.
The defense will perplex the young Josh Freeman, mixing pressure and coverage in an ultimately trying afternoon for the Buccaneer QB. S Taylor Mays will log his first NFL interception late in the first half, setting the 49ers up for an Anthony Dixon touchdown run to take a 17-3 lead and pull away before the half.
Week 12 @ Arizona Cardinals: 49ers 27, Cardinals 7
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After opening the last four consecutive seasons against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers will wait 12 weeks this year before they ever see their strongest competition for the division title. The Cardinals will prove they have no intention of surrendering the NFC West crown easily, at least in the first half.
Alex Smith will have some difficulty finding his rhythm in trying to recover from his pedestrian performance the previous week. A fumbled exchange with RB Anthony Dixon and a sack and fumble forced from LB Joey Porter will limit 49er productivity in the first half. QB Matt Leinart will find WR Larry Fitzgerald, who will victimize the otherwise strong CB Nate Clements for a second-quarter touchdown to stake the Cardinals to a 7-6 half time lead.
The 49ers will find their stride in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered third-quarter points on the strength of solid receiving efforts from TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree. Anthony Dixon and Brian Westbrook will help run out the clock to ensure the win in the fourth quarter.
Week 13 @ Green Bay Packers: 49ers 31, Packers 28/OT
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The 49ers will get their closest scare of the season when they return to Lambeau Field for the second straight season. The 49ers made a valiant second-half push in last year’s game—behind a strong performance from Michael Crabtree—but ultimately could not overcome the 20-point half time deficit, losing 30-24.
This game will be much closer as QBs Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers resume their draft-status rivalry. Both will be limited by strong defensive units.
The 49er running game will be limited as well, finding just 85 yards on the ground against the top rushing defense from 2009, one which surrendered more than 100 yards in just five of 17 games.
Smith will struggle in regulation, but keep his team in step with the Packers, leading them to a 28-28 tie at the end of regulation. It will be the first and only overtime contest of the season for the 49ers.
The Packers will win the overtime coin toss, but the 49er defense will nullify the threat when a Patrick Willis blitz forces an errant throw from Aaron Rodger, resulting in LB NaVorro Bowman’s first NFL interception. Alex Smith will save his best play for when it matters most, finding emerging slot receiver Kyle Williams for 35 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
Week 14 V. Seattle Seahawks: Seahawks 6, 49ers 38
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Spurred by a feverish home crowd, the 49ers will rebound from their closest scare with defeat on the year, dominating the division rival Seattle Seahawks and holding them without a touchdown. It will begin a stretch of three divisional games over the final four weeks of the regular season.
The 49ers will rack up nearly 500 yards of total offense, as Alex Smith will pass for 337 yards and three touchdowns, while the RBs will add 121 yards and two scores.
S Taylor Mays will lobby for and get extended playing time against the team coached by his former college coach Pete Carroll, and will enjoy his first true break-out performance. He will record five tackles, force two fumbles, and tally his second interception of the season.
Week 15 @ San Diego Chargers: 49ers 31, Chargers 20
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The 49er rushing defense will stymie the LaDainian Tomlinson-less Charger running game, holding rookie Ryan Matthews and his cohorts to under 75 yards in the last nationally televised game of the regular season for San Francisco. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers will do his best to keep the game competitive, putting up 359 yards passing, but a late turnover will stifle a would-be shot at victory.
Trailing 24-20 with under six minutes to play, Rivers will have the opportunity to drive his team for the winning score. After being beat deep on an earlier 72-yard touchdown catch by WR Josh Reed, CB Nate Clements will make amends, jumping a passing route and returning the interception to the opposing 42-yardline.
49er RB Anthony Dixon will have the play of the day, slipping a would-be tackle from CB Quentin Jammer and plowing through LB Shawne Merriman on his way to the end zone. The touchdown will cap 114 yards of rushing offense for the 49ers to go along with 231 yards passing in a very balanced and workman-like performance.
Week 16 @ St. Louis Rams: 49ers 32, Rams 6
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Despite giving significant playing time to backups at key positions, the 49ers will have no trouble landing punishing blows on the St. Louis Rams on Boxing Day.
David Carr will play the majority of the game at QB and will have a depleted compliment of targets as the 49ers offer significant rest to Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, and Frank Gore. This will limit passing output to 226 yards and only one touchdown.
Despite the limited success of the passing game, RBs Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon will enjoy wide running lanes against a porous rushing defense. Both will rush for more than 75 yards and each will find the end zone.
Patrick Willis will add to yet another Pro Bowl résumé in limited action when he tallies a safety in the third quarter.
The win will guarantee home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs for the 49ers, for the first time in nearly two decades.
Week 17 V. Arizona Cardinals: Cardinals 6, 49ers 24
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Having wrapped up home field advantage, the 49ers will take the opportunity to allow key players more rest in the season’s final week. Nate Davis will see significant playing time in tandem with David Carr, but will show his immaturity at QB and struggle to break 100 yards on the day.
The running game will continue to carry the play. With Frank Gore on the sidelines, Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon will both gain more than 100 yards, and combine for all three 49ers touchdowns on the day.
The defense will continue its pattern of strong play against divisional opponents, holding all three NFC West rivals to six points per game over the last four weeks of the season.
The win will tie the 49ers with the 2007 New England Patriots as the only teams to complete a perfect regular season over a 16-game schedule. The regular season is only the first step for the 49ers, however.
Divisional Playoffs V. Green Bay Packers: Packers 17, 49ers 27
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In a rematch of the 49ers’ nearest miss on the 2010 campaign, the team will host Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to open the first postseason in San Francisco since January of 2003.
The defense will do a much better job in this game of keeping Aaron Rodgers in check, mixing coverage schemes and blitz packages, as defensive coordinator Greg Manusky finds way to continually confuse and confound the Packer QB. LBs Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks, and NaVorro Bowman will all record sacks, S Taylor Mays will record a sack and force a fumble (on separate plays) and rookie CB Phillip Adams will record his first professional interception in substitute duty.
The offense will have a marginal but methodical day, with Alex Smith throwing for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his first career playoff game. Frank Gore and his back field partners will find rushing yards hard to come by, as the team gains just 102 yards on the ground for the game.
The third 49er touchdown will come by way of special teams, when rookie WR Kyle Williams (who caught the key reception to set up the game-winning field goal in the regular season game at Lambeau Field) returns a fourth-quarter kickoff 97 yards for the score. This will come immediately after the Packers score to draw within three points with under five minutes to play at 20-17. The touchdown will demoralize the Packers and the 49ers will move on the conference championship.
NFC Championship Game V. Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys 15, 49ers 23
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Just like in 1981, the 49ers defy the odds and play host to the NFC Championship Game. Also just like in 1981, the Dallas Cowboys stand between the 49ers and a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.
The game will have added significance and more historical parallels in that the 49ers will be trying to deny the Cowboys the chance to become the first NFL team to host the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The 49ers came closest when they defeated the Miami Dolphins before what basically was a home-town crowd at Stanford Stadium in Super Bowl XIX.
Despite the explosive offensive potential of both teams, the defenses will have the upper hand. Tony Romo and Alex Smith will both struggle, with Romo fumbling twice and Smith throwing three interceptions.
One Tony Romo fumble will prove to be the turning point of the game. After a Frank Gore touchdown in the third quarter stakes the 49ers to a 21-7 lead, the ensuing kickoff will net the Cowboys poor field position, starting at their own 12-yardline. A blitzing LB Parys Haralson will jar the ball loose from Romo, who will muff a recovery attempt, forcing the ball out of the back of the end zone in the process. The resulting safety will raise 49er advantage to 23-7 entering the fourth quarter.
The 49er possession from the ensuing free-kick will consume several minutes, before ending in a punt. Midway through the fourth quarter, Romo will find rookie WR Dez Bryant for a touchdown and convert a two-point conversion to TE Jason Witten to draw within one score at 23-15.
After a seven-play 49er drive eats up precious clock time, but nets no points, the Cowboys will get one last chance to force overtime. Romo will drive his team into the red zone, but CB Shawntae Spencer will end the Super Bowl dreams of the Cowboys, breaking up a would-be touchdown on fourth-and-goal and allowing the 49ers to take over and run out the clock.
After 16 years (a coincidental number?) the 49ers are headed back to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLV V. New York Jets: Jets 14, 49ers 28
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After 18 straight wins, the 49ers will get the opportunity to succeed where the 2007 New England Patriots failed, and become the first team in NFL history to post a 19-0-0 record. In the process, they would also regain a share of the NFL lead in total Super Bowl Championships (tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with six) and silence one of the most off-putting personalities in the history NFL coaching in Rex Ryan.
The game will not start well for the 49ers, as Jets QB Mark Sanchez will find WR Jerricho Cotchery for a 58-yard touchdown on the first offensive possession of the game. Alex Smith will answer with a 14-yard strike to Michael Crabtree, tying the game at seven, but LaDainian Tomlinson will, in turn, cap a 78-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run on the ensuing Jets drive to restore the seven point lead.
After the next 49er drive quickly stalls and the Jets begin another determined drive downfield, a frustrated Coach Sing will call a timeout with more than 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter and call his team to the sideline. After a few words of “inspiration” from their fiery head coach, the defense will rise to the occasion for the rest of the game.
Spurred on by the strength of five sacks, two fumbles forced, and three interceptions, the defense will not yield anything further to the Jets. Bolstered by this inspired effort, the 49er offense will for their part ensure that the 14 early Jets points do not hold up for the win.
Alex Smith will have a fine afternoon, passing for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Anthony Dixon will all enjoy the rush of scoring their first Super Bowl touchdowns. Frank Gore will share this joy, capping a 104 yard day with a rushing touchdown to salt the win for the 49ers.
Coach Sing will be one of the first to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, his second overall, and first as a coach. Patrick Willis will enjoy MVP honors on the strength of his two interceptions, one sack, and blocked field goal.
So there you have it, the 49ers back on top, and getting there in unprecedented fashion.
Can it happen? You better believe it can!
Will it happen? We shall see.
Keep the Faith!
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