Bhanpuri expected a healthier roster and a favorable schedule to help the 49ers bounce back into postseason contention. Instead, a wave of injuries has derailed San Francisco's plans and forced him to adjust his prediction.
Initially, Bhanpuri projected the 49ers to be 5-5 through Week 10. In reality, San Francisco sits slightly ahead at 6-4. With seven games remaining, he now forecasts the team to finish 10-7—one game worse than his original prediction—and to place third in the NFC West, behind the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the setback, Bhanpuri still believes the 49ers will reach the playoffs—this time as the No. 7 seed.
In his initial projection, Bhanpuri had the 49ers losing only once in their final seven games, against the Cleveland Browns. His updated outlook now includes additional losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears, both surprise contenders this season. That means he has San Francisco going 4-3 to close out the regular season.
"The Niners navigate their way through an injury-plagued season to hit double-digit wins and, with a little help from the Vikings in Week 18, punch their postseason ticket," Bhanpuri wrote.
Bhanpuri also has the Rams earning the No. 2 seed in the NFC at 14-3, while the Seahawks secure the No. 5 seed at 12-5. If those projections hold, it would set up a third matchup between the Rams and 49ers, and a second at SoFi Stadium. San Francisco edged Los Angeles 26-23 there in overtime earlier this season but suffered a 42-26 loss to the Rams this past weekend at Levi's Stadium.
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