In 1981, the 49ers were 5-2 after seven games. Same as in 1988. Same as in 1994. Those three seasons turned out with Super Bowl victories.
No other Kyle Shanahan team has started out that well except the 2019 Super Bowl team. Shanahan's teams start out pretty slowly.
The last 49er team that started 5-2 was Harbaugh's 2013 team, the team that lost the NFC championship game in Seattle.
To your points:
1) Since the preseason, I haven't been sold on Jake Moody. Something's wrong there. He was much, much better at Michigan, which is not a forgiving environment for kickers. But his FG and XP kicks look off, they curl a lot. They're not very straight. And his kickoffs are getting returned a lot and he leads the NFL in out-of-bounds kickoffs with two. That's two too many. That's a real issue.
2) I think Steve Wilks is an issue. I don't think he understands what he has or understands the preferred defense or uses it well. I'm not convinced he's a great DB coach, either. If the 49ers don't turn it around on defense, Wilks is likeliy to be here another year, rather than using this as the stepping stone to a head coaching position.
3) I'm not too worried about Brock Purdy. 10 wins in a row wasn't a fluke. I thought he did well against Minnesota until his concussion.
4) The Browns are an excellent team, they have the best WR trio in the NFL, and Burrow's calf issues are largely behind him. I anticipate he will have a big day.
5) Outside of the sacks, Bosa is having a good season (TFL, pressures, etc.). The rest of the DL is not playing up to snuff. Once again, Drake Jackson has disappeared.
6) The Browns are five point underdogs, but they have an extra day of rest.
7) Interesting wild card: The referee is Ron Torbert. His referee crew throw a lot of flags. They are very active. The 49ers are the third most penalized team, but have benefitted with the second most penalties...and the way opposing teams headhunt the 49er stars, it doesn't surprise me. Cincinnati has had the fewest flags thrown against them, but has also benefitted from the fewest flags (yes, I know they've played one fewer game than most teams).
8) Bengals are middle of the pack in the NFL in passing defense (they have the third most INTs), but are third worst in rushing defense. I suspect CMac will have a big day.
9) Bengals are good on special teams. They have weak punt coverage, but are solid on kickoff coverage (high percentage of touchbacks), net punting and kick returns.
I think the 49ers will be 6-2 after this game. I think Purdy will have a good game, and that there will be at least three timely penalties called on the Bengals.
No other Kyle Shanahan team has started out that well except the 2019 Super Bowl team. Shanahan's teams start out pretty slowly.
The last 49er team that started 5-2 was Harbaugh's 2013 team, the team that lost the NFC championship game in Seattle.
To your points:
1) Since the preseason, I haven't been sold on Jake Moody. Something's wrong there. He was much, much better at Michigan, which is not a forgiving environment for kickers. But his FG and XP kicks look off, they curl a lot. They're not very straight. And his kickoffs are getting returned a lot and he leads the NFL in out-of-bounds kickoffs with two. That's two too many. That's a real issue.
2) I think Steve Wilks is an issue. I don't think he understands what he has or understands the preferred defense or uses it well. I'm not convinced he's a great DB coach, either. If the 49ers don't turn it around on defense, Wilks is likeliy to be here another year, rather than using this as the stepping stone to a head coaching position.
3) I'm not too worried about Brock Purdy. 10 wins in a row wasn't a fluke. I thought he did well against Minnesota until his concussion.
4) The Browns are an excellent team, they have the best WR trio in the NFL, and Burrow's calf issues are largely behind him. I anticipate he will have a big day.
5) Outside of the sacks, Bosa is having a good season (TFL, pressures, etc.). The rest of the DL is not playing up to snuff. Once again, Drake Jackson has disappeared.
6) The Browns are five point underdogs, but they have an extra day of rest.
7) Interesting wild card: The referee is Ron Torbert. His referee crew throw a lot of flags. They are very active. The 49ers are the third most penalized team, but have benefitted with the second most penalties...and the way opposing teams headhunt the 49er stars, it doesn't surprise me. Cincinnati has had the fewest flags thrown against them, but has also benefitted from the fewest flags (yes, I know they've played one fewer game than most teams).
8) Bengals are middle of the pack in the NFL in passing defense (they have the third most INTs), but are third worst in rushing defense. I suspect CMac will have a big day.
9) Bengals are good on special teams. They have weak punt coverage, but are solid on kickoff coverage (high percentage of touchbacks), net punting and kick returns.
I think the 49ers will be 6-2 after this game. I think Purdy will have a good game, and that there will be at least three timely penalties called on the Bengals.
Audaces fortuna iuvat