Inman: Here are 16 outlandish predictions for rest of 49ers’ season
When it comes to predicting what remains for the 49ers, think of big stats, win streaks and bad nicknames.
SANTA CLARA – Arik Armstead optimistically spoke from experience when he charted the 49ers’ upcoming path.
“Our team is made for November and December football, so things are pretty promising,” Armstead said at his locker last Tuesday.
It’s November? Yep, and last week was the 49ers’ bye week. Their mojo was restored with a 31-14 win at the Los Angeles Rams just before the break. That avoided a three-game losing streak, and it staked them to a 3-0 record in NFC West action (4-4 overall).
“November, December, the weather changes,” Armstead added. “Then things settle in, and a lot of teams start falling off by the wayside, and a lot of teams start picking it up and really excelling.”
He’s not the only one who can forecast things. Here are my outlandish predictions for the 49ers’ remaining season:
1. CAPTAINS ON DECK
The 49ers’ next game, Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, will be their first all season with all six captains in uniform. That presumes Armstead rebounds from foot and ankle injuries that have limited him to 2 ½ games. Fellow captains: Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Jimmie Ward, Fred Warner, Trent Williams.
2. PLAYOFF IN PHILLY
Book your hotel for the 49ers’ playoff trip to Philadelphia for the divisional round on Jan. 21-22, when the Nos. 4 and 1 seeds collide after the 49ers win their wild-card home game as NFC West champs.
3. CMC 1K-1K
Christian McCaffrey will finish with over 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving, a feat he accomplished with Carolina in 2019 (1,387 yards rushing and 1,006 yards receiving). He currently has 525 rushing yards, 356 receiving yards … and 34 majestic passing yards.
4. BOSA’S SACK TITLE
Nick Bosa will become the first 49er to win the NFL’s sack title since that stat become official in 1982. He has eight sacks (a half-sack off the lead), and he’ll threaten Aldon Smith’s 19 ½-sack total from 2012.
5. TIMELY WARNER
Mexico City, Monday night, Nov. 21: Fred Warner forces a fourth-quarter fumble he recovers. (This is going out on a limb because, well, the 49ers defense has only one fumble recovery this season; their special teams have two.)
6. TOP-5 JIMMY G
Jimmy Garoppolo will surpass his career-best passer rating (102.0), finish among the NFL’s top five quarterbacks, call it a “hell of a ride” and then drop the mic. He currently ranks seventh (100.7).
7. JIMMY G VS. BRADY
The Dec. 11 storyline, when the Bucs visit the 49ers: Tom Brady vs. Garoppolo, winner takes the 2023 Niners job. (Meanwhile, Trey Lance taps his right foot on the sideline to remind everyone he’ll be back.)
8. DeMECO STAYS
DeMeco Ryans turns down an opportunity to coach the Houston Texans (his original team as an NFL linebacker) and returns for Year 3 as Shanahan’s defensive coordinator.
9. KITTLE CATCHING ON
Kittle will surpass last season’s career-high of six touchdown catches. Then again, another six-pack is another great chance to endorse Bud Light.
10. AIYUK IS A-OK
Brandon Aiyuk will lead the 49ers in receiving yards, with the first 1,000-yard season of his three-year career.
11. HUFANGA HYPE
Talanoa Hufanga will go one game without a national TV analyst comparing him to Troy Polamalu.
12. WARD & WARD
Charvarius Ward and Jimmie Ward will make an interception in the same game. Mind you, they have nine career interceptions combined in 151 games.
13. SACK STREAK
Left guard Aaron Banks, eventually, will allow his first career sack. (Right tackle Mike McGlinchey will allow more, but expect a healthier, stronger finish to his contract year.)
14. NO BLOWN LEADS
The 49ers won’t blow a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead ever again under Shanahan, not after actually building on last Sunday’s advantage in L.A. (unlike the NFC Championship Game there in January and that other playoff exit a couple of years ago in Miami).
15. HOME STRETCH
The 49ers will win their next five home games (Chargers, Saints, Dolphins, Bucs, Commanders) and lock up the NFC West before the Jan. 8 home finale against the Cardinals.
16. SUPER BOWL REPLAY
I’m riding with my preseason predictions: The 49ers over the Vikings for the NFC crown, then a repeat of their last Super Bowl win by dominating the Chargers, who’ll emerge from AFC cannibalism.