2011 Schedule for 49ers; New Schedule, New Coach, New Hope -- New Results?

2010 was a regrettable year for San Francisco. They entered into the season with extremely high hopes, expected to dominate the NFC West with a tough as nails defense and an opportunistic offense, all the while guided by the stern and experienced hand of Mike Singletary.

Unfortunately for the 49ers, results rarely met expectations, much less exceeded them. In fact, San Francisco jumped out of the gate with a dismal 0-5 record, a struggling offense, and coaching questions that would end up lingering all season. It would take them all season to recover, finishing 6-10 and with serious quarterback and coaching questions -- only one of which has really been answered. Regardless, they have as much shot as anyone to win the NFC West, and probably boast the toughest defense in the division, with the possible exception of St. Louis-but the Rams don't have Patrick Willis, unfortunately for them.

San Francisco against the NFC West:

I have San Francisco trading with St. Louis, Seattle and Arizona, finishing with a 3-3 divisional record.

San Francisco at nondivisional opponents:

The 49ers' road schedule includes trips to Philadelphia, Washington, Cincinnati, Detroit and Baltimore. I think the 49ers will have their way with the Redskins offense, pressuring Donovan McNabb (or Rex Grossman or whomever) into making enough mistakes for a victory. I also think they'll be victorious against the Bengals and I think Jim Harbaugh will go 1-0 against his brother in Baltimore. But they'll take defeats at the hand of the high-flying, pure speed offense in Philly, and Detroit will take a victory in the Motor City as well, equaling a winning 3-2 nondivisional road record for the 2011 season.

San Francisco vs. nondivisional opponents:

The 49ers host the Cowboys, Giants, Browns, Steelers and Buccaneers. I foresee a difficult home stretch for San Francisco, as I believe it will drop games against Dallas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, with a close win over New York being its sole nondivisional home game where they walk away with a win. Thanks to struggles in its own backyard, it finishes with a 1-4 record in this category.

This gives the 49ers a 7-9 record for the 2011 season. Harbaugh is in the mix and will make a difference -- it's hard to say how long it will take. Don't expect their wins and losses, road and home, to make sense.

Reference:

FB Schedules Website, "2011 San Francisco 49ers Football Schedule"