Week One Prediction and What To Look For

Ladies and Gentlemen, Fanatics and Casual fans!!!

Week 1 is finally upon us and we have the pleasure of facing the Cowboys. I don't say that its a pleasure because its a guaranteed victory, but instead because I cannot think of a single team that would be a better test for my favorite team! If we take a step back and reflect on the changed of the off season, you will find the following:

OFFENSIVELY

-More simplicity to the play calling -> This headline didn't make many waves, but Kaepernick came out and said, along with Roman/Harbaugh that they simplified the play calling. This was done to get the reads done faster so that we have more time at the line to identify coverages within the defense. The most annoying thing about watching 49ers football (offense) was the wasted timeouts or the runs up the gut even though there was a ton of opponents in the box! I know I yelled at the TV about12949234 times last year about runs not being changed at the line! This should be reduced giving Kap time to audible into something better

-Stevie Johnson -> I know, this isn't the same Stevie from 2012... He won't be getting 1000+ yards here and he didn't last year either. But his name still demands respect. He will, without a doubt, open up the offense more. Imagine playing Seattle and they have to match up with Johnson, Crabtree, Boldin and Davis! That's just in a 3WR set. We could do 4 using Patton or Ellington! For whatever reason, the staff unleashes Kap vs Seattle so I think he will rush for 135+ each game vs them this year! ............ now imagine this same offense against far more inferior defenses!

-Carlos Hyde -> Did you see preseason?! DUDE. IS. A. BEAST. Need I say more?

-The return of Boone -> People were worried about the holes on the offensive line. One man returns and all I can think of is "WHAT HOLES?!"

DEFENSIVELY

-No Rogers -> OMG!!! How many times did we see Rogers NOT tackling players? Or blowing coverage on free/deep plays THEN TURN AROUND WITH THE STANK FACE LIKE IT WASN'T HIS FAULT?! Anyhow, I'm glad he's gone and you should be too! His MINUS is a PLUS 2!

-Newcomers -> I can't speak too highly because they have yet to play but Tank and Dial along with Ward look good!

-Culliver Returns -> People only seem to remember the Superbowl and his 3 bad plays... but keep in mind this is the same guy who locked down Megatron BY HIMSELF and kept him out of the end zone the entire game! Also did the same to Fitzgerald and Stevie Johnson. Held Brandon Marshall to just one score in 2012 also. The kid balls out and is great in coverage. His mistakes that came later in the year were all mental and came from him losing the ball in the air. He's had over a year to work on that and I expect that to be corrected.

Okay, enough of that. Back to why the Cowgirls are the perfect challenge for us... This about or new strengths and "weaknesses." Tony Romo and that top 5 offense will be a perfect test to our new-look secondary. It will be perfect to test our new defensive lineman rotation as well. Then there is the flip side... Our offense can work out its kinks against arguable the worst defenses in the league. What a confidence booster for Kap&Co. If they come out and put up a 40burger, I don't think there will be any stopping us!

My prediction for week 1:

Its going to be hard to stop Romo and Bryant, and Witten is a great tight end, even in his old age. Murray is no slouch coming out the backfield either. Our defense will get worked over pretty well and it won't be pretty in the first half. I can see the Cowboys scoring twice quickly then again right before the half. 17 before the start of the 3rd quarter. Kap&Co. will also struggle. Who to trust? Who to go to in tight coverage with so many good targets? This will cause Kap to hesitate. The run game will keep us in it. We will score with our last possession of the first half also giving us 10. When the 3rd quarter starts, Romo won't know what hit him... but we will... it will be a Tank (see what I did there)!! Kap will come out after talking to his targets and know how to get who the ball when they need it. We will score 24 unanswered points to win the game 34-17! Hyde will have 2 rushing TD's from goal line plays that result in Gore busting free!

Let us know what you think!

PS #GoPackers!

Michael Andrews

Co-Writer for 49ers Hub