49ers Game-By-Game Predictions

While you can debate who is the best option to be the 49ers field general, you simply cannot argue the amount of talent they possess. How far will that talent take them?

After a 13-4 season, and their third NFC Championship Game appearance in four years, the San Francisco 49ers have spent the offseason putting even more icing on the cake known as their defense. In addition to making their defense as immovable as possible, San Francisco is once again trying to hammer down their quarterback situation. 

While you can debate who is the best option to be the 49ers field general, you simply cannot argue the amount of talent they possess. How far will that talent take them? Find out below as we predict the outcome for all 17 games. 

Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are traditionally very good in Week 1, winning their last three season-openers and posting a 6-3-1 record in their last 10. They also have notable wins over the Bills and Bengals, respectively, in their two most recent Week 1 tilts. As it currently stands, the likelihood of Sam Darnold being the 49ers Week 1 starter is looking more and more likely. The quarterback uncertainty, along with a cross-country trip to face an elite head coach and a solid roster, adds up to the 49ers starting 2023 on the losing end. 

Final Prediction: Steelers 20, 49ers 13 

Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are going to be a tough watch in 2023. They are very likely to be starting multiple late-round rookies on defense, their offensive line is still a question mark, as is the health of Matthew Stafford. The 49ers have routinely handled a strong Rams team -- what will they do against them when they are on wobbly knees?

Final Prediction: 49ers 30, Rams 21

Week 3: vs New York Giants

The Giants seem to be getting a lot of attention after making their way back to the postseason. However, is Daniel Jones really worth $40 million a year? Has their defensive backfield added enough talent to be competent? The 49ers defense will be too much to handle for Jones and company as the 49ers win their home opener on Thursday Night Football. 

Final Prediction: 49ers 24, Giants 14

Week 4: vs Arizona Cardinals

May God have mercy on David Blough and the Arizona Cardinals. This will get ugly very quickly.

Final Prediction: 49ers 35, Cardinals 9 and Kyler Murray requests a trade at halftime

Week 5: vs Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys made smart moves this offseason. They traded for both Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, and also let go of Ezekiel Elliott. That said, Mike McCarthy is calling the offense, and we have seen this movie before. They have the horses, but not the jockey to get the job done in 2023, and the 49ers get the win at home.

Final Prediction: 49ers 27, Cowboys 19

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

The Browns had a dissapointing 2022 season. A lot of their defensive stars played below expectations, and they missed the playoffs once again. That said, their offense features arguably the best running back in football, and a new weapon for Deshaun Watson with the acquisition of Elijah Moore. The friendly confines of FirstEnergy Stadium will benefit the Browns and be the difference.

Final Prediction: Browns 23, 49ers 20

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings won 11 one-score games in 2022 -- the coin won't flip the same way in 2023. They also find themselves in the midst of a transition of sorts. They said goodbye to a lot of veteran players, and their defense is going to be difficult to watch. The biggest thing to pay attention to in this game is the post-game handshake between Kyle Shanahan and Kirk Cousins.

Final Prediction: 49ers, 34, Vikings 20

Week 8: vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are going to be a force and a contender in the league for a long time to come. Trying to contain Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins will be a chore- one that the 49ers won't quite be up for. 

Final Prediction: Bengals 24, 49ers 23

Week 9: Bye Week

Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are a hipster pick to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC this season, and it's not out of the question they pull it off. They have a budding superstar at quarterback and a Super Bowl-winning head coach -- they'll be a lot of fun to watch, and a handful to deal with. Going to Duval County will not be an easy trip for the 49ers. 

Final Prediction: Jaguars 28, 49ers 24

Week 11: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers claim to be very confident in Baker Mayfield. In translation, they can't wait for the opportunity they'll have to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are great, but they can't win games alone.

Final Prediction: 49ers 28, Buccaneers 16

Week 12: at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are going to be the biggest thorn in the 49ers' side. Their roster is excellent on almost all facets, and the games between these two seem to always come down to the wire. 

Final Prediction: Seahawks 30, 49ers 27

Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are going to be a Super Bowl contender for the foreseeable future, and this is going to be a late-season clash of titans with All Pros all over the place on both sides of the ball. San Francisco fans won't like it, but the result will be the same as the NFC Championship Game.

Final Prediction: Eagles 23, 49ers 21

Week 14: vs Seattle Seahawks

After two consecutive loses, the 49ers suddenly find themselves in a must-win situation, and they even the season series with Seattle.

Final Prediction: 49ers 26, Seahawks 17

Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals could have Kyler Murray back under center by Week 15, but the talent discrepancies between the two teams are far too vast for that to matter.

Final Prediction: 49ers 34, Cardinals 14

Week 16: vs Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has given Lamar Jackson some viable weapons with Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers joining Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews. However, the 49ers defense, and their weapons offensively, will be too much for the Ravens to handle.

Final Prediction: 49ers 30, Ravens 18

Week 17: at Washington Commanders

The Commanders' season will go as far as Sam Howell goes. If he can play, the Commanders could be a fun team. If not, they may have a top five draft pick in 2024. Regardless, the 49ers aren't losing this game. 

Final Prediction: 49ers 29, Commanders 13

Week 18: vs Los Angeles Rams

Both matchups with the Rams will be very similar. The 49ers just have too much talent for the Rams to handle.

Final Prediction: 49ers 27, Rams 17

Final Record: 11-6 (1st in NFC West)

Overall, the 49ers' talent, both offensively and defensively, will make up for any lack of superstar quarterback, much like fans have become accustom to.