CBS Sports writer John Breech has released his final predictions for the 2025 NFL season—and San Francisco 49ers fans will love his outlook for Kyle Shanahan's squad. Not only does Breech expect a bounce-back in 2025 after last season's injury-riddled 6-11 finish, but he also believes the 49ers are poised to reclaim their spot among the NFL's elite.
Breech projects the 49ers to finish with a 13-4 record, securing the top seed in the NFC playoffs. In a surprise twist, he has the Arizona Cardinals finishing second in the NFC West at 10-7 and earning a postseason berth, while the Los Angeles Rams slide to third and the Seattle Seahawks bring up the rear.
Across the conference, Breech predicts the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 2 seed with a 12-5 record, while the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers take their respective divisions. The final two Wild Card spots go to the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions.
In another bold prediction, Breech has Brock Purdy winning the NFL MVP award. He believes the 49ers quarterback, fresh off his five-year, $265 million extension, will silence critics and prove himself as one of the league's top signal-callers.
"The last time Purdy had a mostly healthy roster came in 2023 when he finished fourth in the MVP voting after an impressive season that saw him throw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns," Breech wrote. "Purdy doesn't get the respect he probably deserves, and that's mostly because he plays in Kyle Shanahan's quarterback-friendly offense. However, this is going to be the year where everyone finally agrees that Purdy is a top-seven quarterback in the NFL."
According to Breech, San Francisco's favorable 2025 schedule—the NFL's easiest by strength of schedule—combined with a healthy roster, makes Purdy a prime MVP candidate and positions the team for a Super Bowl run.
In his playoff projections, Breech has the 49ers defeating the Eagles 30-27 in the NFC Championship Game before facing the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. His prediction: San Francisco edges Baltimore 27-24 to capture its first Lombardi Trophy since 1994.
Still, Breech admits picking the 49ers comes with hesitation, citing their injury history and Kyle Shanahan's past Super Bowl shortcomings.
"Despite all of that, this feels like a 49ers team that can make a run through the postseason to get to the Super Bowl," Breech explained. "One big thing I like with the 49ers this year is that Robert Saleh is back as the team's defensive coordinator. Last year, the 49ers gave up the fourth-most points in the NFL, which hurt them almost as much as the injuries. If Saleh can fix the defense, the 49ers are going to be dangerous."
While the wide receiver group remains a question mark, Breech emphasizes that Purdy still has elite playmakers in Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to lean on.
"Before 2020, no team had ever won a Super Bowl in their home stadium, but with this game, the 49ers will become the third team in five years, joining the 2020 Buccaneers and the 2021 Rams," Breech concluded.