NFL.com prediction: Sam Darnold-led 49ers beat Jets in Super Bowl

Could Aaron Rodgers' miserable playoff luck against the San Francisco 49ers continue even after leaving the Green Bay Packers for the New York Jets? NFL.com's Adam Schein believes so. With the 2023 NFL season still 100 days away, the columnist made nine bold predictions, including head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers finally earning the franchise's coveted sixth championship.

Schein has the 49ers beating the Jets in Super Bowl 58, which will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

"The 49ers are the best roster in the NFL, 2-53," Schein explained. "They just need to find that No. 1. Who's poised to man the game's most important position for San Francisco? Well, Brock Purdy is currently recovering from major elbow surgery, while Trey Lance is still struggling with the forward pass. So, in the moment, that leaves Sam Darnold as The Guy. And I see that as a golden opportunity."

Lance and Darnold are competing for the QB2 spot with the 49ers, with a chance to start Week 1 should Purdy not be healthy enough to play. Since only two practices have been open to reporters during organized team activities (OTAs), Schein's Lance is "still struggling with the forward pass" comment is a strange one. It's probably far too early in the offseason to conclude that.


"He was able to get such a better base in these last two months that I think Trey is the best that we've (seen) him right now," Shanahan said earlier this month, per NBC Sports Bay Area. "Yeah, we got to get into OTAs and practice, but when you watch his feet, his timing, how he's throwing the ball, he's in such a better place now than he was last year at this time."

Purdy started some limited throwing this week, and the 49ers are "incredibly encouraged" by his progress. He will ramp up his workload in the coming months, attempting to return from the March 10 surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. The 49ers hope Purdy can return some time during training camp and be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season.

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"Is there a chance Purdy eventually is good to go and retakes the reins? Sure," Schein wrote. "But at the outset of summer, Darnold's in the catbird seat. And I still believe he has the natural talent to take advantage of an enviable situation."

Schein admits to being a Darnold fan, acknowledging that the veteran quarterback has been dealt a raw deal in his previous NFL stops with the Jets and Carolina Panthers. The 49ers undoubtedly own the most talented roster of which Darnold has been a part.

"I always wanted to see what Darnold could do with better support," Schein wrote. "Now he's under the watchful eye of offensive genius Kyle Shanahan, flanked by immense talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the 49ers boast an assortment of playmakers at running back, receiver and tight end, as well as a stout O-line.

"Defensively, San Francisco just finished first in points and yards allowed. I think Darnold has a real chance to take this opportunity and run with it. Therefore, there's a realistic chance I ultimately pick the Niners to win the whole damn thing with my official predictions in September."

As for the Jets, the team that drafted Darnold in 2018, Schein can see the team turning things around with Rodgers now at the helm of the offense.

"The Jets have an all-time quarterback, explosive weaponry and a top-five defense," Schein wrote. "It's not hard to envision a magical season reaching into February."