49ers 2008 Opponents

by Fooch on Jan 14, 2008 12:14 AM PST in News Comment 39 comments

Nosetackle Supreme was the first to point out the 49ers opponents for the 2008 season, but I wanted to go into a little more depth. Additionally, even though there is no way to predict anything at this point, I'll predict a W or L for each opponent (or multiple for divisional foes). Based on my Divisional Sunday predictions, don't put much faith in them.

vs. New England Patriots: LOSS - The Patriots will have to decide whether to shell out for Randy Moss, or if Moss takes less to return to a potential undefeated Super Bowl winning squad. I'm still of the opinion that Randy Moss was more valuable to the Patriots than Tom Brady. Brady was already a very good quarterback, but he moved into the stratosphere in large part because of Randy Moss. Wes Welker had 112 receptions in large part because of Randy Moss. If the Patriots lose Moss they're still light years ahead of the 49ers, but they're not nearly as good as this year. And of course we'll get to see the guy we could have drafted (barring a New England trade).

vs. New York Jets: WIN - The J-E-T-S Jets!Jets!Jets! struggled through a year that saw them transition to Kellen Clemens at QB. They were bogged down by injuries and limped to the finish line. An improved 49ers offense should be able to score on the Jets while the defense will hopefully feast on a weak Jets offensive attack.

@ Buffalo Bills: WIN - Bay Area boy Marshawn Lynch had a very solid rookie season and will look to build on that as the Bills have a potentially bright future. Fellow Bay Area boy Trent Edwards, of Stanford fame, looked quite decent when he was healthy. I'd expect JP Losman to get dealt clearing the way for the future. Lee Evans struggled mightily and the Bills will need him to return to form if they're going to take the next step to playoff contender.

@ Miami Dolphins: WIN - The Dolphins are in full-on rebuild mode under the Tuna. They'll be getting Ronnie Brown back to go with Jesse Chatman and not much else. Ted Ginn, Jr. and John Beck didn't do much of anything as rookies. I'm curious to see how long Beck lasts as the QB of the future. Parcells and Ireland could go a million different ways this offseason. At the very least I know that Cleo Lemon is not the answer.

vs. Philadelphia Eagles: WIN - While I enjoy the play of Brian Westbrook, the Eagles are a team that really bore me. If the 49ers are going to reverse momentum and get back towards respectability, this is a must-win. In 2007 this is a definite loss, but I'm willing to roll the dice and say they pull out the W here. Depending on when this game takes place, McNabb could be long since injured and on his last legs with the franchise. I think another subpar year and he's finished in Philly. The Eagles just don't impress me and don't seem to have a plan going forward.

vs. Washington Redskins: LOSS - I'm curious to see if the boy-wonder Dan Snyder tries to make a splash in replacing Joe Gibbs. The Redskins rode through the final quarter of the season and playoffs on the emotion of Sean Taylor's passing. We'll see how they do after an offseason to get back in gear. Prior to injury Jason Campbell was ok but not great. If he can continue his development, to go along with a wildly underappreciated Clinton Portis, the Redskins should be back in the playoffs in 2008.

vs. Detroit Lions: WIN - I really think this game will come down to when in the season it takes place. The Lions are so wildly unpredictable that it could be a loss early on or a win later in the season. The Lions will need to make a solid hire at offensive coordinator to replace Mike Martz if they want to continue their rise back to relevance. I would not be shocked to see Martz really open up the bag of tricks and try and do some serious damage to his former team.

@ Dallas Cowboys: LOSS - I don't blame the Romo vacation for the loss and just think the Cowboys ran into a wildly hot New York Giants squad. This is the second straight flameout by the Cowboys, so I'd expect the pressure to start mounting on Romo's shoulders. Nonetheless, in the regular season they are clearly better than the 49ers. Marion Barber will likely fully be the guy over Julius Jones and TO will get a chance to do some damage against his first team. However, if the 49ers make the right steps forward their defense could keep them in this game.

@ New York Giants: LOSS - Eli seems to be finally taking the next step from average quarterback to good, sometimes money quarterback. The Giants took it to the 49ers this season 33-15 in a game quarterbacked by Trent Dilfer. I think the 49ers can keep it closer, but if the Giants can carry over this postseason momentum, they could be a tough team next year.

@ New Orleans Saints: LOSS - I might as well flip a coin with the Saints. It's not entirely surprising they came back to earth this season, but who knows what that means for next year. Reggie Bush is certainly not a bust, but I think he took a bit of a step back this year even before the injury. And next season, THIS could be hanging over his head even more. The Saints are a complete wildcard so I figure, they kicked the crap out of the 49ers this season, so I'll have to pick them until the 49ers prove me wrong.

Seattle Seahawks: WIN/LOSS - The Seahawks beat the 49ers by a combined total of 47-3 and were the team that got the whole Alex Smith injury saga going. If the 49ers are able to bounce back, I definitely see this as an easily splittable series. The Seahawks are only getting older and eventually they have to run out of the gas. Nonetheless they are definitely still the team to beat in the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals: WIN/LOSS - The Cardinals took a nice little step forward from 5-11 to 8-8, with the only tarnish being that the 49ers beat them twice. If the Cardinals split the series tiebreakers come into play for a wildcard spot and if they beat the 49ers both times they're the second wildcard team. I'm really curious to see if the Cardinals take the next step to become a playoff team or level off as a .500 squad for now.

St. Louis Rams: WIN/LOSS - The Rams had an abysmal season and yet, as is always the case with divisional opponents, even the bad ones can spring upsets. The 49ers and Rams did battle for much of the season for the 4th position in the NFC West, with the Rams prevailing. The return of Orlando Pace will certainly help the Rams, but they also need to address their defensive issues if they want to climb out of the cellar.

And so after all that work, the 49ers finish the season 8-8. That's probably not the playoffs, but it would certainly be an improvement on this season. I don't think it's possible to have horrific stretches like this and finish 8-8 (but I'm sure they can surprise me). I don't think an 8-8 record is completely out of the realm of possibility. The 49ers get several tough NFC East matchups, but that is countered with the relatively weak AFC East (New England aside). The Bills, Jets and Dolphins all have major issues and are eminently beatable. The NFC West always seems to be black and blue by the end of the year and I don't expect it to change. The 49ers might sweep the season series with one of their division foes, but they could just as easily get swept by one of the others. As I said before, it's impossible to make accurate predictions at this point with so much still to come. Much of my predictions are based on the 49ers actually improving their weaknesses. We'll see what the offseason brings.

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49'ers - Bills Game

I'm a Bills fan, and stumbled across this link on the team's home page. I found it interesting that you marked that game down as a win, (I realize it's very early and you have no idea what the future will be.) I think most Bills fans feel that this game will be an easy win for the Bills. Nobody knows for sure at this point and I wont get into it now. My question for the Niner's Nation is this; Do you think it's more difficult for a west coast team to play on the road in the east, or vice versa? It seems to be fairly tough for an east coast team to go out west, but I wanted to get a west coast guy's opinion on this.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 5:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Either/Or

Early in the season, I don't think it's that big of a deal either way. It's probably pretty well split. But when the weather gets cold, warm weather teams are going to get beaten up in a cold environment. But if it's a fall game, I wouldn't look at location as the determining factor.

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Jan 14, 2008 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Easy Win?

Ok, so the Bills went 7-9 and think they're going to dominate a 5-11 team. The Bills had a nice season and all but they were far from being "all that".

I think it's difficult for any team to play on the wrong on the opposite coast. So basically, are you asking in how does the direction of the time changes affect a team's performance? Barring weather differences I don't see why it would be easier of more difficult for west coast or east coast teams to travel.

Now, I have a question for you. Will you still be a Bills fan when team moves to Los Angeles? Is that why you asking you question, because you think the Bills will fare better when they're a west coast team?

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 9:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

wow, harsh

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Jan 14, 2008 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

ask a simple none hostile question and some jerk-off starts throwing digs around.

First I never said the Bills would dominate, all I was saying is that I'm sure most Bills fans would look at the schedule and think that the 49ers game was one that we should win.

Second what I was asking is, that a West coast team moves forward in time while a east coast team moves back. In other words when an east coast team plays out west, it's earlier than normal for them, while it's later in the day for the west coast team who plays in the east. does it hurt either more than the other?

Third, if the Bills do move it will be to Toronto,not L.A. so your question, is as pointless as you are obviously ignorant.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 10:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Guys

For one, I think it's rad to have other team's fans come on here and dish about our niners, let's not smack them like they did anything to us. Eric asked a question and he should get an answer, that's called "discussion".

Secondly, no offense, but let's not have the Bills come to LA. I have a hard enough time defending my ninerhood, I've given up explaining why i wear a Giants hat to dodger-giant games, the last thing I need is more traffic and a home team always whining about how much better it was in the east.

Thirdly, I think the Niners have been in an inexplicably strong position, with very weak results, for the last two seasons. If I had money on it, I would pick the Bills to win, but the fan(atic) in me has the Niners coming out on top. It's the nature of the offseason, and I'd bet you're probably in a similar situation.

I think the west coast teams have it harder in the east, but hardest in the south. Professionally speaking, I don't know that it makes enough difference to affect any gameplay, but if you were really looking for it, I think you'd find there's a little more animosity as you head eastward, and a lot more as you head south. Just my opinion.

49er 'til I die! (if they don't kill me first)

by LA49er on Jan 14, 2008 10:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

That was a good articulate answer, that I wasn't sure was going to come.

Interesting what you say about the south, I hadn't thought of the northern/southern difference. I think most fans over east way seem to think it is a disadvantage for the east teams to go west. Looking at the Bills schedule for next year, they play the AFC and NFC west teams but never play in California. That seemed to please a lot of fans here, because they see it as a disadvantage to go to far west.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like an excuse to me.

I think having to go the the east coast, namely the north east, and play in shitty weather would be a bigger disadvantage than having to play earlier.

By the way, how do you not dominate in an easy win?

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

winning

To me an easy win is say 28-10, not a total ass whooping, but not very dramatic either. Domination would be like 56-3, not even a close contest. Just how I see things, you may not agree, but then that doesn't bother me overly much.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further review...

I think the Niners have been in an inexplicably strong position, with very weak results, for the last two seasons

Can you explain this? I'll give you that the results have been less than potent, especially this year, but how were we in an inexplicably strong position in '06 or even '07 really?

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean

No real deficiency, a lot of promise, but just fell short once injuries and coaching staff raids went down. I mean, looking at our guys on paper going into next season, I don't see why we wouldn't be real contenders in all our games, which is what I remember thinking for the last two seasons. I could be wrong, but I felt like I've had unusually high expectations these last two seasons but unusually low results.

49er 'til I die! (if they don't kill me first)

by LA49er on Jan 15, 2008 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair Enough [for '07 and beyond]

But, seriously, there's no way we were in a inexplicable position of strength in '06. Smith was coming off of one the worst QB performances ever, there were tons of questions about Gore and our defense was pretty sad going into the season.

I think improving from 4-12 to 7-9 from '05 to '06 was pretty much on par with what people expected if not surpassing expectations.

Granted they've regressed in '07 and severly underpeformed but I think '06 was a bit of a suprise non the less.

by methodrampage on Jan 15, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't get your panties in a bundle

It was some good natured joshing. I didn't realize Bills fans were so thin skinned especially after choking in all those super bowls.

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Now you bring up super bowls

At first it makes me want to tell you to go to a bath house with pretty boy Steve Young, Most likely you're both into that sort of thing. Hey just joshing.

after thinking about it for a bit, I realize you're just a poor misguided sole.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are YOU ready?---Are YOU ready?

Lets get it ON!

Is a suit still considered a suit if it is made by Reebok?

by jfainsf49 on Jan 14, 2008 10:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ready

Bring it brother, I got plenty for ya!

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 10:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mistakes>Traveling

First off, the "Are YOU ready" bit was directed at you and braekneck, in jest. The guy slammed me the same way when I first posted here.(I think it was him)So I figured it was gonna get ugly in short order.

Moving on to your question about who has the advantage--teams traveling east or vice versa? At first the answer didn't seem to be so complex, then after little thought, I realized it is a very good question and would require lots of text to answer. There are so many factors to consider.

In short, I would have to say that, traveling teams are at slight disadvantage to home teams, period. However, as per usual, the teams that make the least mistakes, win. I feel that mistakes, not traveling have more to do with the outcome of the game. What causes those mistakes is anybody's guess. I mean, is it the traveling? Is it getting to the airport a 4:30 A.M.? Is it the weather? Is it the schrimp scampi that the players ate at the hotel? Is it the local strippers? Who knows?

I mean, any team headed to play in Seattle is in for a world of hurt. Any team headed to play in New England, well, you know...

Teams that head west get the advantage of playing in better environs in terms of weather, so that plays to the traveling team. Teams(like the 49ers)that head east are at a bigger disadvantage; because that aren't as accustomed to playing in cold weather. You see where it gets so complex.

Or maybe I'm just making too much out of it.

If you want a definite answer then look at the statistics. I am not willing to do that so, I can't use them to back my position one way or the other.

by jfainsf49 on Jan 14, 2008 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you ready?

I caught that, and was aiming my response to him, not you.
The prevailing opinion here on the east coast, is that it is a big disadvantage to have to travel out west. Not just from Bills fans. I was looking for a west coasts fans opinion.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What an A-Hole!

That's a reference to myself.

So the question essentially is, "Do west coast teams have a bigger home field advantage against east coast teams than what east coast teams have over traveling west coast teams?" Since sireric hasn't mentioned weather I'm assuming he's asking the question based solely from a game time standpoint. With that assumption the question becomes, "Is playing 3 hours later than usual less of a disadvantage than playing 3 hours earlier than usual? If so, by how much?"

Sure maybe it's a disadvantage to play at 10:00 am than it is to play at 1:00 but is it that much more of a disadvantage than playing at 4:00 instead of 1:00? I don't think so.

To be honest, I don't think I've really ever heard of this argument before when considering football. I know I've heard it for like basketball and baseball playoff series but not for a single football game.

Now, taking this scenario out of a vacuum, I'd say east coast teams would have a bigger home field advantage over west coast teams, especially late in the year when you consider weather conditions.

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Errrrr...

I'm a Texan. So, I guess my opinion is moot. <weeps>

But might I add, the Giants didn't seem to have a problem traveling to Big-D and smacking the Boys around. Not sure if the Giants are that good, because the Boys really shot themselves in the foot with penalties--defensive offsides and false starts. That's the Niner's style of football that I have become to know and hate. How dare they steal our style.

by jfainsf49 on Jan 14, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NFC West

If the 49ers offense improves dramatically, I think they're more likely to go 4-2 in the NFC West than 3-3. That could result in 9-7 and possibly a wildcard spot...

It will be more interesting to do this again in several months once we see how the off season goes.

by jaytierney on Jan 14, 2008 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

sigh

Its way too early to make these kind of predictions. I predict the niners will go 10-6 in 2019.

by enut21 on Jan 14, 2008 11:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Are you crazy?

11-5 for sure.

by groug on Jan 14, 2008 2:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh come on!

11-7 in the regular season for sure, but we'll lose to the Los Angeles Vikings of Minnesota in Carlsbad in the first round of the playoffs.

But no matter, because they'll lose to the Las Vegas Showstoppers in the Super Bowl and we'll all feel better.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 14, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jets, Fins?

Hey Buffalo guy, assuming the 9ers and the Bills are more or less equal next year (a fair assumption in my opinion), how do you think the 9ers will fair against the Jets and Fins? I figure you'll have more insight into these teams, just like we'd know more about the Rams, Cards, and Seachickens.

by Nineraguan on Jan 14, 2008 1:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Jets / Fish

Fish- Next year I wouldn't worry too much. The Tuna will turn them around, by building through defense, so maybe they will be a tougher on defense, but 5 wins may be a lot to ask.

Jets- Man-boobs Mangini, will turn their defense around, and they could be better, but unless they add personnel who fit their system on offensivly, they are no better than a 6 win team.

Pats- If the 9ers beat the Pats, I will wear a 9ers shirt for a month straight.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 3:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ooooooooooh, SNAP!

The gauntlet has been TOSSED! COME ON, Niners! I want to see pics of SirEric wearing a Niners shirt/jersey/sweatshirt to work and stuff every day for a month! That's going to be SWEET!

Or do you mean to non-work events?

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Jan 14, 2008 3:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

for a pats loss

I might even wear a 49ers thong. If you ask for those pics, I'm gonna start to worry. a lot.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, those pics are off

There is a steep difference between pics of someone having to go to work in a Niners shirt and having ones boss reprimand him for it, and pics of someone wearing a thong. I'm going to bet that's an image that nobody wants to see, except perhaps your significant other. And if you're a dude, chances are your significant other doesn't want to see those either.

Unless you're referring to the old school term for flip flops (thongs). In which case... Nobody would care. =)

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Jan 14, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me

I don't know if I'd wear a thong, but I would gladly wear a Niner Dipthong.

(And for the record, none of the urbandictionary definitions are remotely valid)

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 14, 2008 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you mean a diphthong?

noun

a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another.

now we're really in my neck of the woods

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Jan 15, 2008 8:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

Yeah, that's what I meant. My various methods of spellcheck failed to catch that somehow.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 15, 2008 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

me in thongs

No I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to see that either.

by sireric on Jan 14, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sir Eric?

or Sire Ric?

by methodrampage on Jan 14, 2008 9:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sir Eric

YOU can call me sir.

by sireric on Jan 15, 2008 4:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

God dammit

I just wrote up the whole damn prediction results Diary, but forgot to title it or copy it to my clipboard, and closed the window without realizing either fact. So it's gone.

I'll just do it again. Sorry to anybody still waiting.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 14, 2008 3:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Over/Under [For Nolan's Job]

Seeing as how we've all seen the schedule, what's everyone's impression on the over/under of the number of wins in '08 to feel confident about Nolan returning as head coach in '09?

I think 8-8 is a fine starting point. We've got a decently tough schedule and hitting the .500 mark is a step in the right direction. 8 wins would also represent a 3 win improvement over this last season and should put us on track for the playoffs in '09, as a legitimate playoff team.

What do you think, how many games do the Niners need to win next season for Nolan et al to keep their jobs?

by methodrampage on Jan 15, 2008 2:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

beginning of the season

I've got a few thoughts on this and actually want to put your comment on the front page for a full-on discussion...more to come later tonight Braekneck.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jan 15, 2008 9:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs