The NFC West is expected to be a competitive division in 2025. Orr predicts the Los Angeles Rams will finish 10-7, while the Seattle Seahawks take third place at 9-8. While the 49ers finished in last place within the NFC West standings last season, this time, Orr projects the Arizona Cardinals to finish at the bottom with a 6-11 record.
"With the Rams in a bit of an unknown space, I look to Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy and a—possibly—healthy Christian McCaffrey for a bit of stability," Orr explained. "With this schedule, I didn't get overly cute, save for losses to Chicago at home and at Indianapolis toward the end of the season.
"The 49ers of 2023, if you'll remember, had a three-game losing streak against middle-tier opponents that was similarly eye-popping at the time but was merely a sign of exhaustion."
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of how Orr predicts the 49ers will perform in 2025. He has San Francisco opening the season with a road loss to the Seahawks, followed by three consecutive victories.
| Week | Opponent | Prediction |
| 1 | at Seahawks | Loss |
| 2 | at Saints | Win |
| 3 | Cardinals | Win |
| 4 | Jaguars | Win |
| 5 | at Rams | Loss |
| 6 | at Buccaneers | Loss |
| 7 | Falcons | Win |
| 8 | at Texans | Win |
| 9 | at Giants | Win |
| 10 | Rams | Win |
| 11 | at Cardinals | Loss |
| 12 | Panthers | Win |
| 13 | at Browns | Win |
| Bye | ||
| 15 | Titans | Win |
| 16 | at Colts | Loss |
| 17 | Bears | Loss |
| 18 | Seahawks | Win |
Orr projects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to earn home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, with the 49ers claiming the No. 2 seed. Division winners also include the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, while the Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders earn Wild Card spots.
H/t to Luke Norris of Niner Noise for the find.
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