NFL.com looks at 49ers’ 2020 floor, and ceiling

With NFL teams gathering in their respective cities in preparation for the start of the 2020 season, be prepared to see predictions coming out for nearly every media out, and football pundit on the planet.

Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, the San Francisco 49ers are among the betting favorites going into next season. The Niners are bringing back most of their starters. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan plugged the holes on the roster with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, and two first-round picks in defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

NFL.com projected what the 49ers’ floor and ceiling would be in 2020, along with their projected record. The staff has San Francisco pegged to go 12-4 and win another NFC West title. NFL.com has the Niners losing in Week 4 at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the three road losses would be Week 8 versus the Seattle Seahawks, Week 12 when they play the Los Angeles Rams, and the Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

As part of the projections, NFL.com says the 49ers’ ceiling is 14-2, while the floor would be an 8-8 record. The staff doesn’t see the Niners cratering this season though, offering this explanation:

“But too much of the personnel is back for that to happen. And, if they are hungry to finish the job, and the rookies come close to filling those shoes, add a win over Philly at home, and sweep the Rams to go 14-2. This would say a lot about Shanahan, who already has a lot of nice things being said about him.”

The biggest variable in any NFL season is injuries. If San Francisco gets hit hard and loses some of the higher-end starters for an extended time, then the 49ers could definitely be closer to an 8-8 squad.

But, with the depth on the roster, the Niners have enough to make up for any long-term injuries.

We still don’t know if we get in a full season due to the pandemic, but with all things being equal, the 49ers will have to get through teams like the Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys if they want to win the NFC.

If we set the over/under at 12.5 wins for San Francisco, which one would you bet on?