The 2009 49ers Schedule: A Very Early Discussion Pt. IV

by ProfessorBigelow on Jun 15, 2009 8:00 AM PDT in Preview Comment 13 comments

Alright, we are almost there: the biggest lull in sports. While baseball is entertaining throughout the summer, all we have is baseball and off-season news in other sports. Hockey is done, as is basketball (HELL YEAH LAKERS), and we are approaching the end of OTAs, where we are stuck waiting for Training Camp, and real football news, to begin.

So what's a fan to do in the meantime? Well, the one thing we do best; Speculate! Here, Fooch and I present the final part of our four-part series discussing the 2009 49ers schedule, week-by-week. Our goal, to kill some time, get excited about the season, and begin thinking about our chances of a playoff run. If you missed Part I, Part II or Part III, here is the quick recap:

2009 San Francisco 49ers Records after Week 13:
Fooch: 6-6
ProfessorBigelow: 8-4
69% of Niners Nation readers believe that that after week 13, the Niners will have 7-9 wins.

Now we enter the home stretch... Two division games, and one more significant test before the playoffs...

ProfessorBigelow: Here is where I get realistic... We can't sweep the Cards, and since I predicted we take them week 1, week 14 is a loss.

Fooch: Interesting... Road win, home loss... I on the other hand will go with the home win.

PB: Ooooh, finally you pick the win and I pick the loss!

Fooch: I'm very curious to see where the Cardinals are sitting at this point. Are they the team we saw win the division last year, the better team that made the playoff run, or more average than anything else?

PB: I'd say they are average, or a bit better, on the same level as the Niners are at least. But then again I'm not doing a week-by-week analysis of the Cards

Fooch: This is true... At this point, I think those Cards games could go either way... The Cardinals seem on the surface to have more talent, but I'm just not sold. I think the 49ers defense can contain their running game. The 49ers need Frank Gore to get things going this year, and if he can this is a game they can win.

PB: Agreed. I'm predicting a loss here because it has to fit into previous predictions I've made. I realllllllly want to pick them at home, but I'm no flip-flopper, so 8-5 it is.

Fooch: I've got ‘em 7-6 I think, right?

After the jump, the last 3 regular season games of the 2009 49ers season, through the eyes of two big football nerds that have nothing better to do with their free time :-D

PB: Yep! Into the home stretch, with our last really tough match-up, at the Eagles. As someone who has lived, in eastern PA for four years, I know that at this point in the year, the Eagles are in full swing into their nose dive. Philly fans can get irritable, and unless the eagles have 7 wins by this point in time, they could be the 12th Niner on the field if San Francisco can get this game going in the right direction.

Fooch: That is certainly a possibility. I don't think that's how it will play out, but it's certainly possible. I really like this Philly team. Losing Brian Dawkins hurts, but I REALLY like their offense in 2009.

PB: It is much, much more dangerous.

Fooch: Maclin and Jackson gives them a couple filthy playmakers. I doubt they will but imagine having both of them back returning kicks?

PB: Oof... But there is a BIG asterisk named McNabb next to that team. I just don't like him under center - I can't see the Eagles going far with him at the helm. He's slow, he's inaccurate, and he's prone to emotional swings (sometimes good for the Eagles, sometimes bad).

Fooch: I'm actually a McNabb fan. I realize he struggles with consistency at times, but I think as they continue adding weapons, it only helps him. He gets a full season of Kevin Curtis (he missed the first 6 games last season), to go with the two speedy receivers.

PB: I think I can predict our predictions... You - Eagles Win. Me - Niners Win

Fooch: Sounds about right. The 49ers played the Eagles really tough last season minus the 4th quarter. I think this, Indy and Tennessee are the 3 toughest games on the schedule.

PB: Agreed. But if I'm right, we guarantee our first winning season in a good amount of time with this win!!!

Fooch: This is true. Needless to say I'm not holding my breath :)

PB: Come on, this is the only Niner game I'm going to get to attend all season! Whatever happened to being an optimist?

Fooch: Optimistic realist... or realistic optimist? :) So I've got them at 7-7 and you've got ‘em at 9-5?

PB: Indeed. Going into something we can't disagree about; Home vs the Lions

Fooch: I've got a bad feeling about that game! Just kidding :)

PB: Do we really even need to discuss this, or will people at the Pride of Detroit get too pissed and troll our site?

Fooch: I don't think they'll get pissed.... but I find myself curious about the Lions. Stafford has a lot of growing to do, but I really like some of the other offensive weapons they added. Pettigrew could be a very solid tight end and I like the Derrick Williams pick (WR, Penn State). I still think the 49ers win, but I think the Lions could sneak up on some folks this year

PB: They aren't going 0-16 again, I'll put money on that. The team that loses that first game to them will be piiiiiiised off, but it won't be the Niners.

Fooch: Let's hope not. :) But I do think the Lions are going in the right direction.

PB: Mm hmm, agreed. I mean, all they can do is get better unless you can go -1 and 17.

Fooch: This is true

PB: Like someone on this site suggested the Rams would do... And what do you know, week 17 we play the Rams; How's THAT for a segway???

Fooch: well played indeed :) I do think this is a game the 49ers win to complete a 4-2 divisional record. This is a game that is always a nice win, but could be the win that propels this team into the playoffs. This W puts them at 9-7 in my book, which might or might not be what they need

PB: By now, the Rams will be BEGGING for the golf course, and Spagnolo will be glad to have a whole off-season to fill the holes in the Rams. Niners win this game, end the season with a 3 game winning streak... and an 11-5 record? Wow, I might need to revisit some of these picks... haha

Fooch: Not allowed to at this point :)

PB: Damn

Fooch: But that's why it's the crazy early discussion!

PB: True. Nice discussion: let's do this again sometime

Fooch: I'm down for that...

Poll

After week 17 (17 games played), how many wins do you think the 49ers have?

0-4

5 votes

5-6

11 votes

7-8

85 votes

9-10

447 votes

11-12

91 votes

13+

26 votes

665 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

9-7 is about right

If they get one extra win against the 5 playoff teams, 10-6 is possible. I agree 4/2 against the Div. teams. Playoff teams,1/4 or 2/3, iffy but possible. and the 5 avg. teams, 4/1. So 9/7 season is good, but 10/6 would give them a chance at the playoffs.

by LASVEGASNINER on Jun 15, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

cards n beyond

the first game of the season is a big one. it will predicate whether we can sweep them, the niners will need a decisive win and then i like their chances at home against them later on. The reason I say it is a big one is not only because it is a div game against the estimated front runner but also it will set the tone for everything the team has tried toi instill in the offseason. i guess the intangible of confidence is what I am getting at. I like our ability to stop their run game and time will tell if the pass rush and coverage schemes will be able to contain their passing game. as for our O, that is the big question, i think they will move the ball but they can not sit back and score field goals. the fun part about being a niner fan this year is that the slate is clean from top to bottom and there are so many unknowns as far as what existing players can “actually” do and what the newbies will do. i really just want wearner to pay for his little game he played with us first and foremost. i do not want him hurt but rather harrassed and pummelled all day long—but still able to play.

by suda on Jun 15, 2009 11:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

THIS

i really just want wearner to pay for his little game he played with us first and foremost

Didn’t even think about that… But it makes sense. I didn’t want him on the team in the first place, but now I want to make his life a living hell more than I did last season because of blue-balling us.

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Jun 15, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

me too

I hope we put Warner on his back all game that affects his confidence and timing for the rest of the year. Nothing like not trusting your Oline after a 5 sack game.

by hudd07 on Jun 15, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, SF QBs are a recent testament to that...

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jun 16, 2009 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm, who bit on the carrot, knowing all the while...

what Warner’s real intentions were? That whole thing seemed like a fiasco to begin with, and that’s on ScottyMac, not Warner.

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Jun 15, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get out the brooms

We’ll be prepared and full of vengeance in Week 1, plus in week 14 we will be at home. C’mon niner-fans we can get two against them (cardinals) this year. I’m looking at a 5-1 division record only because A WIN in Seattle is very difficult.

M. S. #50

by rlott#42 on Jun 15, 2009 2:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PB: "We can't sweep the Cards, and since I predicted we take them week 1, week 14 is a loss"

this logic makes no sense. you don’t lose to a team because>/em> you already beat them. try to make a prediction based on the actual game, not a pre-determined number of wins or losses that you think we can or can’t achieve.

and we absolutely can sweep the Cards. they’re taking a step backwards this year, mark my words. the real division race is between the Niners and Seahawks.

also, about the poll, i wish 10/11 wins hadn’t been used as a cut-off point between answers. i think 10 wins is the most likely scenario, but i think 11 wins is more likely than 9. i ended up voting for “9-10”.

I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.

by these3words on Jun 15, 2009 6:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

italics fail

I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.

by these3words on Jun 15, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know we CAN sweep the cards...

And part of me believes it could easily happen. However, I think it’s much more likely that we split the season series, and I’ve said that in previous posts (for the record – 5-1 in the NFC West, with the one loss coming to Arizona). The last thing I want is to provide flip-flop-fodder for someone with an axe to grind. As of right now, as noted in the name of this article and in the entire premise of this series, it is an insanely early discussion on the season schedule; I’m just throwing out what I feel based off of our off-season.

As we get closer to week 14, I will be better able to break down the “actual game,” as you said, but trying to do that now is like trying to predict the weather on Christmas Day; I think it will be cold, but that’s a stab in the dark also.

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Jun 16, 2009 6:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"they’re taking a step backwards this year, mark my words"

And why is that, pray tell?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jun 16, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What went wrong in 81?

All of the great pundifs of the day had no clue that the niners would be 13 and 3 let alone go on to win it all. So don’t be so quick to count anything out.. The old saying ".. On any given Sunday….‘’’ is very much alive and well….

by WC-Ninerhead on Jun 15, 2009 9:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

11 and 5

I vote 11 and 5 and in the play off’s as NFC west champs but not yet ready to call SB.. I will hold that card unitil later. I am and always will be " A DIE HARD NINER FAN…."

GO NINERS…..!!!!!!!!!!!!

by WC-Ninerhead on Jun 15, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs