SANTA CLARA – The 49ers will go 14-3 this regular season. Yes, that's the prediction resulting in a Super Bowl return in New Orleans, where they'll beat Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers.

Too far-fetched? Look, the 49ers went 12-5 last yr, 13-4 in 2022, they usually've posted double-digit wins in 4 of the last five seasons.

Their roster remains to be stacked (for at the very least one other season), especially on offense. They have a Pro Bowl quarterback (Brock Purdy), their backfield has the 2023 NFL rushing king (Christian McCaffrey), the three-time All-Pro left tackle (Trent Williams) is just not yet retired, their tight end (George Kittle) reclaimed first-team All-Pro honors in a yr where Travis Kelce was within the highlight, and all of their wide receivers have something to prove.

This talented team scored just 22 points – 19 in regulation – and that wasn't enough to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs within the Super Bowl.

The Detroit Lions' return to motion on Dec. 30 at Levi's Stadium could definitely have serious implications for the playoffs, wherein the 49ers swept the Lions to win the NFC Championship last season.

And every division game carries added weight, however the NFC West has yet to catch as much as the two-time reigning champion 49ers.

That said, listed here are the five games which might be most dangerous to the 49ers' path, and I expect them to lose two of them and one other somewhere along the way in which:

Week 2 in Minnesota: The 49ers have lost their last seven visits to Minnesota, including a 22-17 loss last season. Go back to December 1992 and find the 49ers' last win there, when Amp Lee scored her two touchdowns in a 20-17 victory. Sam Darnold, the Vikings' projected starter until JJ McCarthy is prepared, knows the 49ers' defensive system intimately after combating it as a scout team quarterback last season. It's a ten a.m. PT kickoff.

Week 7 vs. Kansas City: Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones have a 4-0 record against the 49ers, including Super Bowl wins within the 2019 and '23 seasons and a Week 7 win at Levi's Stadium in 2022. The Chiefs will his coming from her farewell. Reid shines after a bye.

Week 8 vs. Dallas: This disappointment comes after the sport against the Chiefs, be it one other demoralizing defeat or an emotional triumph. A loss here would impact the NFC playoff picture. The Cowboys may even say goodbye.

Week 13 at Buffalo: No game presents a greater challenge in inclement weather than a December 1 visit to Orchard Park, NY, with kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET. The 49ers are 2-3 all-time in Buffalo. On their last visit in 2016, as a part of the pre-Shanahan team, they fell 2-14 in a 45-16 defeat. This is just not a take: The Bills will likely be saying goodbye.

Week 17 in Detroit: Last Sunday's win in Miami may very well be more discouraging by way of a possible trap game if the 49ers' cross-country thoughts are sapped by the following rematch with the Lions. Plus, the 49ers may very well be poisoned by chasing the speedy Dolphins. Still, Detroit's expected addition to last season's upwardly mobile numbers will once more give the 49ers their best competition for the NFC crown. What could go incorrect at a prime-time home game in December?