Fooch's note: I'm down for closing the weekend with crazy optimism!

Now that the 2017 off-season has slowed down and the draft and free agency are behind us I think its time to make some bold predictions for the 49ers in 2017. First of all I am not saying the 49ers win the division but instead that they get a wild card spot this season. To me there is three factors that come into play if the 49ers want 1 of the 2 wild card spots.

1. How good will this defense be? Will they stay healthy? Will Thomas and Foster start all 16 games? How good will Armstead and Buckner be? Can they get sacks? Stop the run? And get turn overs?

2. Can Brian Hoyer be a game manager? If this offense can have a top 5 rushing game and the passing game is somewhat decent then I think this team can get enough points to win some games.

3. How good will QBs like Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz be this season? Will they have slumps in their second seasons? How good will Cam Newton, Russell Wilson (who has a bad offensive line) Jared Goff, Andrew Luck, Kirk Cousins, Carson Palmer/Blaine Gabbert, Eli Manning, Mike Glennon/ Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, Marcus Mariota, and Blake Bortles be against this new 49ers defense? Will the 49ers defense fall apart against these QBs this season? Or will this defense be too much for them to handle?

Here are my predictions

Week 1: Vs. Panthers L

Week 2: @Seattle W

Week 3: Vs. Rams W

Week 4: @Cardinals L

Week 5: @Colts W

Week 6: @Washington W

Week 7: Vs. Cowboys L

Week 8: @Eagles L

Week 9: Vs. Cardinals W

Week 10: Vs. Giants L

Week 11: BYE

Week 12: Vs. Seahawks L

Week 13: @Bears W

Week 14: @Texans W

Week 15: Vs. Titans W

Week 16: Vs. Jags W

Week 17: @Rams W

49ers final record 10-6 and they earn the 6th spot in the NFC wild card.