Getting back into my now famous “Top Ten” mode, let me present my first “Top Ten” column for the coming season…

“The 2002 Schedule Top Ten…”

I did this one last year, and honestly, a lot of my games that I included were very important ones, but I guess trying to pick 10 out fo 16 games to call important is like arm-wrestling my Grandmother.

(That would mean it is rather easy… c’mon people, stay with me here!)

Anyway, onto the Top Ten!

Number 10

December 15 – vs. Green Bay

Payback time. This game gets on the list because our team will be looking to kick a little Green and Yellow ass after they sent us packing in the playoffs this past season. Add into the mix the fact that we have a long heated rivalry with the Packers, and how the Packers have improved their defense this offseason, and this one looks like it will be a dandy.

Niners 24 – Pack 21

Number 9

October 20 – at New Orleans

The only time we get to beat up on ‘dem Saints this season, due to the shifting of the divisions. The Saints will be better than they were last year, so this game will not be a cake-walk, by any means, but I think that the Niners will defeat the Saints again, providing us with a final parting blow as we see this old NFC West rivalry die off.

Niners 31 – Saints – 14

Number 8

December 8 – at Dallas

Our only meeting with Dallas this season and I anticipate a great game on this date. Dallas will be MUCH improved this season, and their defense will be as stringent as it was last season (if not more). Although the Cowboys defense will again be strong, I doubt their offense will bring anything major to the table, furthering their problems from last year (barring a Quincy Carter breakout season). It will be a great test for the Niners’ offense as they wind the season down, as the three games that remain after this one are as crucial as it gets.

Niners 13 – Dallas 10

Number 7

November 25 – vs. Philadelphia

This game will be a tough one for the Niners, trust me on that. Last year’s 13-3 walk in the park will not re-occur; I can guarantee that. Money McNabb will give the Niners D fits, but I anticipate our secondary shutting down the Eagles’ receivers, I look for a run dominated game here, with both teams being unable to score on each other’s defense.

Niners 13 – Eagles 16

Number 6

November 3 – at Oakland

A trip across the bay is always tough for the Niners. Just going into that lunacy driven hellhole that is the Coliseum is chore enough, let alone having to play the always tough Raiders there. The Raiders will have a different look this season, with the departure of Gruden (this will be a bigger factor than people realize, trust me). I foresee the veteran players like Rice, Brown, Gannon and Romanowski not playing as well as they did (or would, in Romo’s case) under Jon Gruden, in fact, this Raiders team could be in disarray at this point of the season, possibly mired in a coaching change of some sort. Even with all my lofty predictions, the Raiders will still play the Niners tough, and this game will be closer than the score will indicate.

Niners 38 – Raiders 21

Number 5

October 27 – vs. Arizona

“The dawning of a new rivalry”. The inaugural meeting of the Niners and Cards as NFCW residents will be a very exciting game. I have said that the Cards are a dangerous team for the past two season, with my predictions coming close to fruition last season with David Boston ripping the league up and Snake Plummer somewhat regaining his old form. If Arizona can get a ground game going by this point in the season, they will be a very, very tough team to defend. Their O-line is mammoth. So is their leading receiver, who will provide a HUGE challenge to our still young secondary. Look for the Cards to catch the Niners sleeping in this game, but the Niners will take it out on the Cards in their latter meeting in the season (Dec 21).

Niners 20 – Cards 28

Number 4

December 30 – at St. Louis

The last game of the season will be a true “slobber-knocker”. The Niners and Rams look poised to be both battling for that NFCW crown at this point in the season, and I look for this game to be one that sets the tone for a second round playoff game. Much has been made of the Rams and their offseason, but I still think that the Niners’ moves have improved this team dramatically. The games between these two teams will be much closer and this season and I look for the Rams and their swagger to take a bit of a hit during them.

Niners 41 – Rams 31

Number 3

October 14 – at Seattle

Another inaugural game of the new NFC West dwellers, one where the Niners will finally extract some measure of revenge on Mike Holmgren. This Seahawks team will be very different from last season, and I look for them to struggle in the NFCW. The steady QB play of Trent Dilfer will keep them in a lot of games this year, but the inconsistent play of their defense will turn a lot of those games into losses.

(I just have a feeling here, don’t ask why.)

Look for this game to be a blowout, and for Dilfer to get yanked in favor of Hasselback. Why a blowout, you ask? Well, this game is scheduled the week after the Niners’ first meeting with the Rams and the Niners will be more than a little pissed at this point (more on that in #1).

Niners 35 – Seahawks 6

Number 2

September 5 – at New York Giants

This game gets this slot because it is not only the 2002 season opener, but it is also on Thursday night in PRIMETIME! Every football starved fan will be tuning into this game to get their first annual fix, and it what better stage for the Niners to get things off to a flying start than a primetime game in Gotham?

The Giants are a team in disarray right now and with all their player squabbling that is going on, I look for them to be behind where they should be for the first game of the season. This will be in stark contrast to the Niners who will be in fine form and will have their proverbial “ducks in a row” for their first game of the 2002 campaign. Look for a blowout, and for Strahan to get 0 sacks on his way to a lowly 4.5 sack season.

Niners 37 – Giants 10

Number 1

October 6 – vs. St. Louis

This game is by far the most important game of the season for the Niners. This game against the Rams will be their chance to stand up to the arrogant bully that is the Rams and show them that they are not going to stroll to another NFCW division crown. Add into this that the Niners will be coming off a bye week, and it makes everything that much more interesting. Rest will do the Niners good here, as the Rams track team will be 3-1 or 4-0 at this point in the season. The Stick will be a rockin’ for this game, and I look for a back and forth affair with more than its share of big plays. For some reason, controversy avoided the Niners last year (save the Owens ongoing saga), and I look for this game to come down to a blown call by the zebras (again, don’t ask why, I just have a feeling).

Niners 34 – Rams 37

***

Well folks, thus ends my first “Top Ten” column for this coming season, and although I realize that some of my predictions are out there and run the risk of being Ryan Leaf inaccurate, I will vehemently stand by them. In fact, look for me to follow up this column with something like “Was I right? Or was I right?” column after all is said and done.

Stay tuned to this channel for more of my Top Ten columns as the season progresses.

Until Next Time…

Have a comment/question/insult for me or any of my ramblings? Let me know at superzim@sk.sympatico.ca