Could the scheduling gods be granting Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke an opening to prove they deserve a do-over in 2017?
It honestly looks like it.
With five games left on the schedule, an opportunistic 49ers offense led by Colin Kaepernick, and a revised run defense take on a pretty light slate to close the season.
It’s that time of year where some 49ers fans decide to root against their team winning the actual game.
A mini win-streak would damage the 49ers’s clutch on the No. 2 overall pick. Most of us would agree wins at the end of the season mean nothing, but don’t tell that to the people who work 80 hours a week in Santa Clara — especially ones with jobs on the line.
There will be no tanking. San Francisco is going to try and win these remaining games. While a 5-11 record to end the season seems far-fetched, this is without question the easiest part of the team’s schedule. A surge of momentum like this would put Kaepernick in the drivers seat to start in 2017.
12/4: @Chicago (2-9)
This is the most injury-ravaged roster in the NFL, with 15 players on IR — Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Kevin White, Kyle Long, Danny Trevathan are the biggest names. Alshon Jeffery is suspended for PED use. Chicago has resorted to Matt Barkley as its starting quarterback, a player Chip Kelly drafted in the fourth round of 2013 out of USC. The 49ers should win this game, just like they did a year ago with Jim Tomsula.
12/11: New York Jets (3-8)
The Ryan Fitzpatrick stunt this offseason has shown us the Jets’s front office has poor judgment. Why cause any type of friction the first year after overachieving with Todd Bowles? The Jets have more talent across the board, but whether or not a struggling team mails it on a west coast trip is always in play come December.
12/18: @Atlanta Falcons (7-4)
Okay, this one is not winnable. But it should stir up memories of the 2012 NFC Championship game where the 49ers toppled Atlanta on the road 28-24. I’m in support of keeping Kelly for 2017, but if Jed York wants to reboot he can start by talking with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. More on that take here.
12/24: @Los Angeles Rams (4-7)
Jared Goff (3 touchdowns last week vs. New Orleans) will play his first game against his favorite childhood team on Christmas Eve. Hopefully it’ll give the 49ers a glimpse into the future and they can get their own brand new shiny toy. This franchise needs to ditch the run-first philosophy and find a franchise quarterback. So what if you fail trying? As great as Colin Kaepernick has been, there will be a younger quarterback available with more potential (you can also still keep him around, but at the cost of $19 million). Finding the right young quarterback is how you eventually win a Super Bowl. End of discussion.
1/1: Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1)
Possessing a three game lead in the all-of-a-sudden dreadful NFC West, Seattle will have the luxury of resting Russell Wilson and other key defensive players. It’s sad this game isn’t for playoff position, or with bad blood on the line. Speaking as an East Coaster: Seattle-San Francisco was captivating for the entire country, not just the West Coast fan bases. You can’t be a rival with anyone when you have a 1-10 record.
By the way, if you thought the stadium looked empty earlier in the year, just wait until the day after New Years Eve.
Do I think the 49ers will actually finish the season 4-1? No. But there is a clear window of opportunity, and there is no doubting Kelly would like to remind the York’s and this fan base what a winning streak feels like.
Here’s the draft order:
1. Browns 0-12 (.571)
2. 49ers 1-10 (.558)
3. Jaguars 2-9 (.533)
4. Bears 2-9 (.541)
5. Jets 3-8 (.504)
6. Bengals 3-7-1 (.561)
7. Titans via trade with Rams 4-7 (.488)
8. Panthers 4-7 (.517)
9. Cardinals 4-6-1 (.450)
10. Colts 5-6 (.488)
11. Packers 5-6 (.529)
T12. Saints 5-6 (.533)
T12. Browns via trade with Eagles 5-6 (.533)
14. Chargers 5-6 (.566)
15. Titans 6-6 (.444)
16. Ravens 6-5 (.439)
17. Bills 6-5 (.467)
18. Eagles via trade with Vikings 6-5 (.500)
19. Buccaneers 6-5 (.504)
20. Steelers 6-5 (.516)
21. Texans 6-5 (.541)
22. Redskins 6-4-1 (.545)
23. Dolphins 7-4 (.415)
24. Lions 7-4 (.439)
25. Broncos 7-4 (.525)
26. Falcons 7-4 (.529)
27. Seahawks 7-3-1 (.475)
28. Giants 8-3 (.434)
29. Chiefs 8-3 (.479)
30. Patriots 9-2 (.414)
31. Raiders 9-2 (.508)
32. Cowboys 10-1 (.406)