The San Francisco 49ers wrap up their pre-bye week schedule on Sunday when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. The 49ers are 1-5, having lost five straight since their season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams. They made a change at quarterback last week, and the coaching staff has suggested we will see some changes at inside linebacker this week.
Now that we’re into Week 7, I thought I’d take another look at draft implications of the schedule. If you think the 49ers can turn this around and make a playoff run, so be it. But if you are thinking otherwise, here is how the 49ers can improve their draft position this week.
The 1-6 Chicago Bears were unable to get anything done on Thursday Night Football, losing 26-10 to the Green Bay Packers. The Bears also lost quarterback Brian Hoyer to a broken arm, so we could see Jay Cutler in the very near future. There are four one-win teams and the 0-6 Cleveland Browns competing at the top of the draft board. There are seven two-win teams behind this group as well, so here is who we will be rooting for on Sunday among all these teams. The 1-5 Carolina Panthers have their bye this week.
Cleveland Browns (0-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Rooting interest: The Browns very well could go 0-16 this season, but I’ll keep rooting for them. And seeing as Cleveland is headed to the World Series to face the Cubs, maybe that good luck can rub off on the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens (3-3) at New York Jets (1-5)
Rooting interest: I don’t see the 49ers getting a lot of help this week, but this is one game where an upset could happen. The Ravens are looking like a fairly average team, which opens the door for the slim home favorite walking away with a win.
San Diego Chargers (2-4) at Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
Rooting interest: The Chargers are not going to win many games this year, so I’ll take a road upset in Atlanta.
Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at Tennessee Titans (3-3)
Rooting interest: I’m rooting for a big game from Frank Gore, but I’ll take Colts wins. They are a bad team that probably will not win many games, so every win helps.
Buffalo Bills (4-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-4)
Rooting interest: The Dolphins are a bad but not awful team as far as I can tell. But I’ll take the home win over Buffalo.
New Orleans Saints (2-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-2)
Rooting interest: The Saints will likely win enough games at home to stay behind the 49ers in draft order, but a road win wouldn’t hurt.
Oakland Raiders (4-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)
Rooting interest: I picked the Jags to win this one, as I think the Raiders could stumble on the road.