With training camps underway it’s officially time to get to predictions for the 2025 NFL season.
We’re going to wait to make our official predictions because there are a ton of things that still need to sort themselves out with the San Francisco 49ers and around the NFL. So much can change with one injury or one trade in the preseason.
That didn’t stop us from turning to artificial intelligence and ChatGPT to get its thoughts on how the 49ers’ season will go. We asked ChatGPT to predict how each game would go for San Francisco this season. It provided some good (and some not-so-good) analysis, but it does have a sunny outlook for the 49ers this year.
Here are ChatGPT’s predictions and breakdowns for each game on the 49ers’ schedule, along with our thoughts on the A.I. analysis:
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: Lumen Field is still one of the loudest barns in the league, and the Hawks’ offense is humming with Geno back and a healthier line. First game of the season + divisional road game = tough L.
Our thoughts: Geno is not back. Not even a little bit.
Predicted record: 0-1
Week 2 at New Orleans Saints
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Derek Carr is hanging on by a thread. Niners defense should feast on a predictable Saints offense. Close, ugly game, but SF gets it done with a few turnovers and ground game domination.
Our thoughts: ChatGPT, we have some terrible news about the thread Carr is hanging on by.
Predicted record: 1-1
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Revenge game. Niners got embarrassed last year by Arizona twice, and they’re gonna be (mad). Expect pressure on Kyler, who still struggles when the pocket collapses. The home crowd helps seal it.
Our thoughts: Love a Week 3 revenge game. The key to pressuring Kyler is making sure he doesn’t get outside the pocket, and making sure he’s not finding wide open receivers behind broken coverage.
Predicted record: 2-1
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: This is a letdown spot. Jags have weapons everywhere and Ridley 2.0 is looking like the real deal. Trevor Lawrence goes toe-to-toe with Purdy and pulls off a late 4th quarter dagger
Our thoughts: Calvin Ridley hasn’t played for the Jaguars since 2023. Did it mean Brian Thomas is Ridley 2.0?
Predicted record: 2-2
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: Short week, cross-stat travel, Sean McVay brain magic. Rams just added another WR weapon for Stafford, and this offense will be too much for a 49ers secondary still figuring itself out.
Our thoughts: Don’t hate the analysis, but “Sean McVay brain magic” is crazy.
Predicted record: 2-3
Week 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Tampa’s defense is aging, and Baker’s due for a classic 3-pick meltdown. Niners run game eats clock, and this feels like a grind-it-out 23-13 type of W.
Our thoughts: Baker Mayfield has thrown three or more interceptions in a game twice since 2020. 49ers-Bucs games do always seem to be a slog, though.
Predicted record: 3-3
Week 7 vs. Atlanta Falcons (SNF)
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Atlanta’s secondary is nasty, but the 49ers will lean on quick passes and Kittle in space. Drake London and Bijan might pop, but Niners at home are too steady.
Our thoughts: “49ers will lean on quick passes and Kittle in space” works for every single game.
Predicted record: 4-3
Week 8 at Houston Texans
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: Stroud is HIM. If SF can’t pressure him, he’ll pick them apart like he did in the playoffs. This is one of those games that reveals how far SF still needs to go.
Our thoughts: *In the most Jim Mora Sr. voice you have ever heard in your life* PLAYOFFS?!
Predicted record: 4-4
Week 9 at New York Giants
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: New York is rebuilding, and Daniel Jones might be benched by now. Niners defense goes off. Easy win.
Our thoughts: “Daniel Jones might be benched by now” isn’t necessarily wrong. He’ll just be benched in Indianapolis.
Predicted record: 5-4
Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Split the series. This is the “get right” game for SF after a rocky middle stretch. Big day for the defense forcing Stafford into mistakes.
Our thoughts: A “get right” game after winning three-of-four is hilarious.
Predicted record: 6-4
Week 11 at Arizona Cardinals
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: Cards are scrappy, and Kyler goes full chaos mode at home. He’s good for one “WTF how did he do that” game a season. This is it.
Our thoughts: Hard to argue with that, to be honest.
Predicted record: 6-5
Week 12 vs. Carolina Panthers (MNF)
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Panthers are still building. Bryce Young’s size is an issue vs a physical D-line like SF’s. Should be a two-plus turnover game for the defense.
Our thoughts: Love the idea that Young’s size is specifically only a real problem against the 49ers DL.
Predicted record: 7-5
Week 13 at Cleveland Browns
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Cleveland is a hot mess and likely on backup QB duty. Niners front seven bullies them all game.
Our thoughts: Even artificial intelligence knows the Browns are the Browns.
Predicted record: 8-5
Week 15 vs. Tennessee Titans
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Tennessee will be mailing it in by now. Rookie QB Cam Ward gets fed to the wolves. Expect some creative blitz packages and a comfortable dub.
Our thoughts: If the 49ers are breaking out blitz packages, it’s not likely to be against Tennessee.
Predicted record: 9-5
Week 16 at Indianapolis Colts (MNF)
Prediction: Loss
A.I. breakdown: Trap game after a few wins. Richardson’s legs make just enough of a difference, and Niners look sluggish out of the dome. Loss stings.
Our thoughts: Out of the dome? Daniel Jones did get benched, though!
Predicted record: 9-6
Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears (SNF)
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: This might be Caleb Williams’ coronation game — but the Niners ruin it. They pressure him all night, rattle him early, and ride the crowd to a statement win.
Our thoughts: It is hard to imagine the 49ers steamrolling Chicago like they did last season in a 38-13 Week 14 win.
Predicted record: 10-6
Week 18 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Prediction: Win
A.I. breakdown: Full circle. Playoff spot on the line. Niners pull out all the stops at Levi’s, defense clamps up, and McCaffrey goes for 100+ yards to lock it up.
Our thoughts: Beating Seattle at home to clinch a playoff berth would be an all-time Levi’s Stadium moment.
Predicted record: 11-6
Playoff outlook
A.I. breakdown: If they go 10-7 in the NFC, they’re in the Wild Card for sure. Probably 6th seed, with potential to go on a run depending on health and defensive consistency.
Our thoughts: ChatGPT can’t do math, but 11-6 should certainly secure a wild card spot, and if the 49ers are playing well going into January we’ve seen how dangerous Kyle Shanahan’s teams can be.