San Francisco 49ers: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a play during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Week 4: BYE

Week 5 (MNF): vs Cleveland Browns

An early bye isn’t desirable. Since their bye is in Week 4, the 49ers will have to finish the season playing in 13 consecutive weeks. If they were to make the playoffs that number would only increase.

However, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any advantages. Their first opponent with a top-tier roster doesn’t come until Week 5 when they host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.

They’ll not only get an extra week to prepare for Cleveland, but the Browns are also coming off a tough stretch in their schedule.

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While “schedule losses” are more dramatic in sports like basketball — where teams are playing, traveling, and playing again on back-to-back days — there are still negative effects on the gridiron.

The Browns start their season at home against Tennessee. Then they travel to New York, return to the Midwest to host the Rams, travel back east to play in Baltimore, and then have to fly back across the country to play the 49ers.

The combination of extra rest for the 49ers and the difficult stretch of travel and opponents for Cleveland builds a strong case for the Niners to pull the upset and assert themselves as an early playoff favorite.

Prediction: W 42-35 (4-0)