2018 NFL Season: 10 offseason hot takes being proven false

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: OaJon Grudenkland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden looks on from the sideline during the NFL International Series game between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a play against the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

“The San Francisco 49ers are a dark horse contender”

Everybody was ready to crown the 49ers after the way they finished the 2017 season on a five-game winning streak. While that was a nice run, much of it came against either bad teams or playoff teams that had nothing left to play for. If they were the real deal, they have to prove it this season with the added pressure of expectations. It didn’t work out.

They lost convincingly in Minnesota, barely beat an average Lions team and then were run out of the building by Kansas City before losing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn ACL. They’ve lost twice more since and sit at 1-4, looking like a far cry from the supposed closet contender everybody seemed to think they would be.

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