placeholder image

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports


ESPN sees 12-4 as 49ers’ ceiling, 8-8 as floor during 2020 season

Aug 19, 2020 at 12:53 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl defeat and look to rebound by returning to the big game and winning. That has been a motivating factor during this offseason. A big one. They aren't interested in hearing about a Super Bowl hangover.

The 49ers reported to training camp with a hungry mindset, and players were ready to get started.

"To have that taste in your mouth for six straight months without lining up again next to your teammates to be able to get back to where you want to go and where you know you should have been, it becomes that much more of a driving force for us," offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey recently said.

ESPN used its Football Power Index (FPI) to identify the ceiling and floor for each NFL team during the upcoming season. For example, 90 percent of its simulations have the Buffalo Bills finishing between six and 11 wins. That's their floor and ceiling, respectively.

What was the result for the 49ers? The ceiling is a 12-4 finish to the regular season. Only three teams — the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints — had higher ceilings.

Three NFC teams — the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — tied that mark. None came from the NFC West.

ESPN has San Francisco's floor set at 8-8.

Beat writer Nick Wagoner was asked to identify what would determine which end of the win-total spectrum the 49ers would fall. He believes a lot of the team's success or failure will ride on the development of its quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo.

"The 49ers' offense finished fourth in yards and second in points per game in 2019, but it was the defense that got much of the credit for the team's run to Super Bowl LIV," wrote Wagoner. "With DeForest Buckner's departure and the expectation that the defense will regress at least some, the onus falls on the offense to pick up the slack.

"The biggest task for Garoppolo will be cutting down on the turnovers after he threw 13 interceptions last year and had a handful of other potential picks dropped. In his second full year under Kyle Shanahan, Falcons QB Matt Ryan won the MVP. That's probably asking too much of Garoppolo, but if he can cut the turnovers in half or better the way Ryan did, the Niners should be in position to finish on the high end of this range."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

ESPN names 49ers as best fit for Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Following the initial flurry of free agency activity, ESPN's Bill Barnwell took a closer look at the remaining unsigned players, identifying ideal landing spots for each. Among the prospects, cornerback Tre'Davious White found himself connected with the San Francisco 49ers as a prime fit. The Buffalo Bills, who selected White with the No. 27 overall pick in 2017, released the cornerback on March 13. The 49ers would love to bolster the defensive backfield, finding a better option to pair on the outside with Charvarius Ward and allowing Deommodore Lenoir to find a permanent home in the


placeholder image

Who the 49ers selected in ESPN's 7-round mock draft

By David Bonilla
Mar 27

Kudos to anyone who compiles a seven-round mock draft for the entire league. It's an extensive endeavor, and draft analyst Matt Miller recently took on this challenge in a feature for ESPN. He projected 257 selections, with the San Francisco 49ers holding 10. Miller provided explanations for each pick in the first three rounds and shared his favorite selection for the remainder of the draft. So, who does Miller envision joining the 49ers' newest rookie class? Let's delve into his ideal scenario for the Bay Area team in the 2024 NFL Draft. Round 1, Pick 31 Overall Jordan Morgan,


placeholder image

49ers assistant coach also suffered torn Achilles during Super Bowl

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is currently rehabilitating after undergoing surgery for the torn Achilles he sustained last month during Super Bowl 58. He'll have a partner in his recovery, as he wasn't the only member of the team to suffer that specific injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning at the NFL owners meetings and revealed that defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks also sustained a torn Achilles during the game. "[It occurred] about five minutes after Dre's," Shanahan told reporters. "I think it was when [S] Ji'Ayir [Brown] got the interception, he just jumped up and cheered, very similar to Dre's, and his Achilles went too." Bullocks remained on the sideline and continued coaching throughout the


placeholder image

49ers signing QB Josh Dobbs to a 1-year deal

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The San Francisco 49ers are bolstering their quarterback room by adding a new player. According to his agent, Mike McCartney, the team is signing Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal. McCartney announced the news on social media, confirming the acquisition. Congrats @josh_dobbs1 agreeing to a 1 year deal with the @49ers— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 18,


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone