2020-21 NFL Season Preview and Predictions - Ravens vs. 49ers Super Bowl? + BREAKING: Fred Warner is activated from COVID-19/Reserve

49ers full schedule, NFC and AFC standings, Playoffs, Awards - You name it, we got it.

Sir Lancelot

Sep 09, 2020

San Francisco 49ers/YouTube

REJOICE!

San Francisco 49ers @49ers

The #49ers have activated LB Fred Warner from the Reserve/Covid-19 List.

Miracles do happen, Warner is off the COVID-19 list and likely has recovered fully, he will be back for Week 1!

With the NFL season set to start tomorrow, I wanted to give you my unfiltered predictions for this season, complete with the entire schedule, standings, and playoffs. I’ve given you guys the opportunity to answer the question: in a 49ers v. Ravens Super Bowl, who wins? So while these are my full predictions with analysis, I want you guys to put your predictions in the comments as well - record, awards, playoffs, whatever. These can be real standings, they were done using a schedule simulator. The daily summary will be published later today, so stay tuned for that!

49ers Schedule Predictions:

Week 1: ARI - W: As long as Jimmy plays well, this game will be W. Won’t be easy but the Cardinals OL will be the reason for this W
Week 2: NYJ - W: Should not be in any doubt - barring catastrophic injury this is a walk in the park.
Week 3: NYG - W: See Above. Should be a cakewalk, although Barkley is talented enough to make the game interesting.
Week 4: PHI - W: Will be a tough game, especially with PHI’s DL. But our defense is better.
Week 5: MIA - W: Another cakewalk, assuming Fitzmagic isn’t some sort of MVP candidate.
Week 6: LAR - W: Divisional games are always tough, but LAR is devoid of LB/S talent and are dealing with the most fearsome DL in the NFL.
Week 7: NE - W: Newton will present problems for the defense, but the run-game will bash the weakened Pats D, with Hightower absent.
Week 8: SEA - L: As usual, Seattle will find some weird way to win a game. Russ will do some crazy stuff.
Week 9: GB - W: 49ers vs. Packers is always a shutout - for the 49ers. Should be a big win.
Week 10: NO - W: Will be the most competitive game just as last season, but in this shootout, I give the edge to the team with the better DL - pressure wins games.
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: LAR - W: Again, will be a close game but the 49ers have a big 4th quarter to seal this.
Week 13: BUF - L: This is the toughest team we will play this season. Their defense, especially the secondary is suffocating and their IDL as well, which presents problems for our weakened interior OL. On offense, Allen’s arm will keep a safety at the deep half, meaning the short passing game will be open. Tartt will need to have a big game, but the run game for the Bills is the most dangerous.
Week 14: WAS - W: Unlike Buffalo, this is the weakest team we will play - guaranteed win unless Haskins takes a Lamar Jackson-esque leap in Year 2, and even then it’s still likely a win.
Week 15: DAL - W: Their offense and front seven are pretty good, but expect Aiyuk to have a big game against their weak corners - as long as Elliott is contained, this is a win, but the 49ers cannot let Elliott get going.
Week 16: ARI - L: Late season divisional game? Check. Arizona is a really good team and gave the 49ers a run for their money, twice last season - Tough loss for the 49ers but you can’t win them all - big game for Kyler Murray as the 49ers likely deal with some late season injuries and fatigue.
Week 17: SEA - W: Not surprised this is the final game, and almost exactly like season, it’s not only for the division, this time, it’s likely for the #1 seed in the NFC. Tough game but the 49ers, clearly the better team, pull it out regardless of how brilliant Wilson is.

Standings

NFC

San Francisco 49ers: 13-3 — The best team in the NFC last season, SF has only upgraded on offense, and while the loss of DeForest Buckner hurts the league’s best defense last season, they are still elite and will be top 5.
New Orleans Saints: 12-4 — Adding Emmanuel Sanders to an already explosive offense is a treat. They had a terrific draft, adding Cesar Ruiz to one of the best OLs in the NFL, and adding Malcolm Jenkins, albeit the aged version, will still help their secondary.
Green Bay Packers: 12-4 — They won’t be as good as their record indicates, but Aaron Rodgers will get you a winning record no matter what. He will once again have to carry the offense with DaVante Adams, but their defense is the difference maker. Jaire Alexander is one of the best young corners in the league, and their edge rushers and young DL is full of talent. Adrian Amos is one of the best safeties in the league, and Christian Kirksey is a great addition to that ILB core.
Dallas Cowboys: 8-8 — Classic Cowboys will once again fail to fulfill expectations. But either way, in the terrible division known as the NFC East, they will come out on top - their defense, especially the front seven is very good, and they have one of the best young trios of WRs in the game in Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. The offensive line as usual is elite, and Zeke Elliott will churn out 1200 yards. I don’t trust Dak Prescott to carry the team any further, but the NFC East is far too weak, barring Carson Wentz returning to MVP form and or Daniel Jones taking a Lamar Jackson-like jump in his 2nd year.
Seattle Seahawks: 12-4 — Somehow, someway, Seattle finds a way. You will see later why they earn this spot, but the general view: their defense got a whole lot better, and they have gotten back to their roots as a run-first, secondary based team. Their skill positions are elite, and their trench players suck. If they had any other QB outside of Russ, they would not be a playoff team, but Russ does not even need an offensive line to play well. Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Quinton Dunbar, and Shaquill Griffin have an argument for a top five secondary in the league at the moment.
Arizona Cardinals: 10-6 — As if the NFC West already was not hard, the Cardinals committing highway robbery on the Texans and having arguably the best offseason of any team makes it a whole lot worse. 10-6 may sound unrealistic, but their defense is about to get serious, like 2018 to 2019 49ers defense serious. Moreover, Kyler Murray having the best WR group in the NFL and Kenyan Drake behind him will be an explosive offense, although that o-line will limit them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-6 — Brady and the Bucs are one of the most underrated teams in football if they do indeed get the 7th seed - but, that’s not because they lost games, it’s because they are in the same division as New Orleans. Can’t do much in that case, but their offense and defense are elite.
Minnesota Vikings: 8-8 — Barely missing the playoffs, this team is great but their WR corps has been decimated by Stefon Diggs’ departure, and I just don’t know whether their OL and Dalvin Cook can both stay healthy and go further. Their defense is great, but in that tough division, not sure if it is enough.
Atlanta Falcons: 8-8 — Loved the Gurley signing for them, but again, they are in a similar position with the Vikings. That OL will again, limit their offense unless they get a big step up from some recent draft picks, but the real issue is coaching: their offensive play calling limits them, especially with such potential. Defense is good but Keanu Neal cannot stay healthy, and their EDGE rusher situation hangs on a thin thread.
Los Angeles Rams: 7-9 — Good enough to win, not good enough to make the playoffs. Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey anchor the defense but it’s not going to be enough.
Detroit Lions: 7-9 — They are probably worse than this, but if Stafford is healthy they can compete. I like their RB/WR/TE group, TJ Hockenson is going to be really good + their OL is great. Defense needs work, especially with Darius Slay gone, but they have young talent there too.
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-10 — This might seem like a really bad scenario for Philly, but they are one of the most overrated teams in the league at the moment. I love Carson Wentz as a player but his health is too fragile to trust, and even though Philly’s defense looks good on paper, their safeties and LBs will get burned. Brandon Brooks and Andre Dillard both are out for the season, and DeSean Jackson is currently Wentz’s best WR - not good.
Chicago Bears: 4-12 — This team would be great, even elite if they had any semblance of a QB. Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles are not the answer, I was extremely disappointed when I saw that they had not offered Newton a deal at all.
New York Giants: 4-12 — Still rebuilding, Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and Evan Engram are a great young core but they need a lot of work. I don’t get the Logan Ryan signing, but their defense should be decent as well. Leonard Williams looks to regain his early career form.
Carolina Panthers: 4-12 — They have a very hard schedule and with the loss of Luke Kuechly and Greg Olsen, they’ve lost their anchors. Teddy and CMac will be great together, and the offense will be good, but that defense needs a lot of work with their best player gone.
Washington Football Team: 3-13 — Unlike many, I think Dwayne Haskins will be good. But with their most talented RB in Derrius Guice gone, little to no receiving talent outside of Terry McLaurin, and a bad OL, he is not in position to succeed. Their defense on the other hand - really interesting. Very reminiscent of the… 49ers. Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, and Chase Young is one of the most talented lines in the league right now.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens: 14-2 — This might seem like too many wins, but it is not. They had this same record last season, have the reigning MVP who is only going to get better, and have added JK Dobbins, Patrick Queen, Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Justin Madubuike, and DJ Fluker to an already stacked roster.
Kansas City Chiefs: 13-3 — The best QB in the NFL and the best offense in the NFL, the Chiefs did well to somehow manage the cap in order to extend Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce in the same offseason, with Mahomes getting the biggest contract in NFL history. Reigning champs have retained all of their talent, and get Juan Thornhill, their rookie standout back from injury. LDT opting out weakens that OL however.
Buffalo Bills: 12-4 — Josh Allen seems next in the long line of 2nd to 3rd year QBs to take a big step up. The Bills have a terrific young defense, anchored by the best safety duo in the league, and Tre White. Tremaine Edmunds and Ed Oliver are rising stars in the front seven. Josh Allen finally getting a true #1 WR in Stefon Diggs changes things for that offense.
Tennessee Titans: 11-5 — While Tannehill likely falls back down to Earth after a scorching 2019 campaign, the NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry returns to a great team, as well as AJ Brown who looks to take a big step in his sophomore year. Even without longtime standout Jurrell Casey, the Titans now sport a top 5 defense on paper, including newly acquired Jadeveon Clowney.
Cleveland Browns: 10-6 — They honestly remind me of last year (2018) 49ers. Why? If you remember, after Jimmy’s magical stretch in 2017, the hype train for the 49ers was wildly out of control and was derailed by the Jimmy G injury. Then, the year after, the hype was almost gone, and then only did the 49ers fulfill the hype. I think the same thing of the Browns this year: They have Baker Mayfield who looks to overcome a sophomore slump, but more than that, an actual capable coach and play caller. OBJ was criminally used last season as was David Njoku, but with the arrival of Austin Hooper, the Browns offense is stacked at every position. Defense is looking great too, especially the defensive line and linebackers, although Grant Delpit’s injury is brutal.
Houston Texans: 10-6 — The Colts might give Houston a run for that wild card spot, but I think DeShaun Watson pulls it out. Assuming JJ Watt stays healthy, that defense will be good as always, and Watson has some new weapons although D-Hop being gone stings, badly. David Johnson when healthy is a very good RB albeit overpaid. Their entire season depends on health: Watson, Watt, Cooks, Johnson, Fuller IV.
New England Patriots: 9-7 — Regardless of their opt outs, their defense looks to be dominant once again, and while Brady is gone, if Newton is what reporters and coaches say he is, the Patriots should be fine at QB. They have a great OL and RB group, and N’Keal Harry looks to take over in Year 2 with Edelman as a mentor. They have the reigning DPOY.
Indianapolis Colts: 9-7 — I did not like their move to get Philip Rivers. In my view, Brissett is a better QB at this stage of their respective careers - Rivers no longer has “it”. They have a talented defense anchored by new acquisition DeForest Buckner, and a good WR/TE/RB group, as well as arguably the best OL in the league — but Rivers won’t get the job done. They miss the playoffs - barely.
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-9 — Another talented roster, Derwin James being out is a nightmare scenario for that team, but that roster is still very talented. The OL needs work, but their skill positions are elite, especially their secondary. Taylor will win some games, but until Herbert is fully ready next season, this team isn’t quite ready - yet.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-9 — Roethlisberger just is not built like that anymore - people have the audacity to place him in their top 10 QBs while ignoring that in the few games he played last season, he threw 0 TDs, 1 pick, 56.5 completion percentage and averaged 181 yards per game. I don’t think he will be back to form, and neither will the Steelers, regardless of their elite defense. Once they get an actual answer at QB it will be different.
Las Vegas Raiders: 6-10 — Still weird to type, once again a team with an unstable situation at QB. I’ve got a hunch Mariota gets the job after Carr inevitably stinks it up - since his ACL injury Carr has not been the same and I don’t think he ever will be. Raiders are up and coming but lack offensive talent, at least proven, and their DL needs steps up from young guys like Hurst, Ferrell, and Arden Key.
Denver Broncos: 6-10 — Their offense will be explosive but…. Von Miller going down for the season spells doom for this defense, even with Jurrell Casey and healthy Bradley Chubb in the fold - Chris Harris Jr leaving as well. Up and coming, but not quite ready yet. Love their offensive core though.
New York Jets: 5-11 — Sam Darnold is screaming for help but instead the Jets trade their best player of the last decade away. Adam Gase needs to go. Not much else to be said: they continually misuse Le’Veon Bell, and provide zero OL help outside of Becton this year. Don’t get me started on the WR talent as well - devoid outside of Denzel Mims.
Miami Dolphins: 4-12 — I don’t expect Tua to play much if at all this season, and even if he does, he likely won’t be good. This team is a long way from making noise, but their defense is exciting with a lot of nice pieces on the DL. Hopefully Breida shows out along with Jordan Howard.
Cincinnati Bengals: 4-12 — Better than their record indicates, I like their offensive core with Burrow and Mixon, as well as AJ Green and Tyler Boyd, but their defense needs a lot of work.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-15 — This team is devoid of most if not all talent - on offense their best player is their starting OG, Andrew Norwell. Minshew has talent but I’m not sure what he can do with that WR and TE corps - and now also without Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 1200 yards this past season. On defense, there is a lot of potential but not enough proven. Josh Allen and Taven Bryan are young and very talented, especially the former, and adding CJ Henderson to replace Jalen Ramsey was a good move - Still, even with their now veteran LB Myles Jack, I don’t think they can do much on that side either. Trevor Lawrence will be a Jaguar in a year, barring a disaster for another team.

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Seattle Seahawks (#5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (#4)
Arizona Cardinals (#6) vs. Green Bay Packers (#3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#7) vs. New Orleans Saints (#2)

Cleveland Browns (#5) vs. Tennessee Titans (#4)
Houston Texans (#6) vs. Buffalo Bills (#3)
New England Patriots (#7) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (#2)

Divisional:

Seattle Seahawks (#5) vs. Green Bay Packers (#3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (#1)

Buffalo Bills (#3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (#2)
Cleveland Browns (#5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (#1)

Conference:

Seattle Seahawks (#5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (#1) - In a rematch of one of the greatest NFC Championships of all time, in 2013, the 49ers come out on top because of their suffocating defense and earn a trip back to the big game.

Kansas City Chiefs (#2) vs. Baltimore Ravens (#1) - Both #1 seeds come out on top, as Lamar and the Ravens take down the reigning champs to fulfill their destiny and reach the Super Bowl - the Ravens defense smothers Mahomes and the now weak Chiefs OL, while the offense uses the ground-and-pound strategy to prevent a comeback.

Super Bowl:

San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Who wins and what’s your analysis? Leave your prediction in the comments.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

I know, I know, too much Seahawks love around here lately. Both Lamar and Mahomes have voter fatigue working against them, and Wilson has been a mainstay in the MVP conversation for years now. It’s high-time he won it. “Mr. Unlimited” arguably has the best roster around him since Seattle lost against New England a half-decade ago. Seattle’s defense looks to take a big step forward with the addition of Jamal Adams, Quinton Dunbar, and Jordyn Brooks… and do not forget that Clowney likely resigns there. But the real factor for picking Wilson: he has the best group of skill position players around him ever. Metcalf is poised to take a step forward this season, and Lockett is as usual the #1 target for the Hobbit. Josh Gordon, Philip Dorsett… But more than that, adding Greg Olsen and a healthy Will Dissly (NOT GEORGE KITTLE), along with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny at RB makes Seattle’s offense very good. The only thing they lack is talent at the offensive line - which we all know first hand, does not stop Wilson from terrorizing defenses every time he plays them. Wilson was voted as the 2nd best player in the league by his peers this season, an MVP is likely.

Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The favorite is by far Christian McCaffrey, but I think it will be another RB on the East Coast. Barkley after an injury-filled season fell off the radar for many people, but in my opinion (and in many others), Barkley when healthy is the most talented RB in the league. Daniel Jones as a 2nd year QB won’t be asked to take on a big load, meaning Barkley will get an incredible amount of touches if healthy. He’s the closest thing to Barry Sanders that I have seen, and his receiving, returning, and rushing ability are all more than elite. If you play fantasy, watch out for Barkley. This will be a close race, along with the usual candidates like Mahomes and Jackson, but I don’t trust those two to stay healthy and keep consistent production. A high-volume RB will win, either Barkley or McCaffrey.

Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers

If Aaron Donald or Khalil Mack were on better teams, I would pick them, but Bosa is easily the best option. Even with relatively low sack numbers, Bosa’s snap-to-snap impact is nearly unmatched, whether it is through pressures, TFLs, double-teams, PBU, whatever. Bosa is going to get better, he is a favorite for DPOY and a likely winner. With Dee Ford healthy on the other side, Bosa will get plenty of opportunities and he will get better at finishing his rushes.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are the favorites to win this, but Dobbins is right on their heels. In the run-heavy Baltimore offense, Dobbins will get plenty of opportunity to get carries and touches in the passing game, which Greg Roman has already said he will. Dobbins will likely end the year with more touches than Ingram, and he is very elusive, fast, and tough to bring down. He’s a human highlight reel, and he will get on the radar and early.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team

Isaiah Simmons and Patrick Queen could definitely make a run, but Young is the most NFL-ready EDGE rusher to come in the league for a very long time. Arguably better than Bosa coming out, Young is aptly named “The Predator” because of his QB-chasing habits and long dreadlocks. He has no weaknesses in his game. Better than Myles Garrett coming out, if not for Joe Burrow absolutely demolishing every known record for a QB in college, Young would have went #1 no questions asked. I’m expecting 10 sacks at minimum, and Washington’s defensive line is talented enough to give Young one-on-ones, with Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Ryan Kerrigan, and more. Ohio State sweeps the ROY awards.

Comeback Player of the Year: Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots

Even with New England being hit so hard with opt-outs (Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung), they are still a good team with a ton of talent. They have one of the greatest coaches and offensive coordinators of all time, the reigning DPOY, one of the best secondaries in the league, and a ton of offensive talent with Newton, their offensive line, Michel, N’Keal Harry, and Julian Edelman anchoring the outside. Newton has impressed Bill Belichick during camp, and is easily the best candidate, with his competition consisting of JJ Watt, Ben Roethlisberger, Rob Gronkowski.

Coach of the Year: Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Taking a team from absolute mediocrity, from failure in a team plagued by misfortune is no easy task, but Shanahan has turned the 49ers, as the best play caller in football into one of the most explosive offenses in the league, helping develop talent like George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Even better, even as an offensive minded coach, Shanahan has helped create one of the best defenses in the league, and one of the best running games in the league. Easy choice, although Bruce Arians and Sean McDermott are definitely in the race - Shanahan also dealt with losing Buckner, Staley, Sanders, and more over the offseason.

Assistant of the Year: Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots

While Greg Roman and many other OCs will give Josh a run for his money, his ability to retool an offense that has worked for 20 years with Brady to almost his polar opposite in Cam Newton, while getting the Patriots the wild-card spot will give him a huge advantage over anyone else. Not to mention, McDaniels losing talent will also factor into it.

Executive of the Year: Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

From mediocrity to stardom, Tampa Bay looks ready to make a massive jump forward. Licht was key in getting legendary Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, Antoine Winfield, Tyler Johnson, Tristan Wirfs.. the list goes on. Licht in one offseason has transformed Tampa from the definition of the void into a bonafide contender and a favorite to be the best offense in the league.

Leave your predictions down below!

Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo, where we look at what his issues were last season, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.

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