Computers Say 49ers Are Playoff-Bound
AP
This is a view of Candlestick Park before the San Francisco 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004. The 49ers announced a four-year agreement Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, with Monster Cable Products Inc. that will change the stadium's name to Monster Park. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The geeks say go ahead and make your playoff plans, 49ers fans.
WhatfSports.com, an Ohio company that runs virtual fantasy games and sports simulations, ran 10,001 simulated versions of the remainder of the NFL season. They calculated percentages and probabilities, and determined that the 49ers would win the NFC West and make the playoffs.
I’ve suddenly decided that these virtual sports simulations are always completely accurate.
Their simulations indicate that the 49ers and Arizona Cardinals will both finish with 9-7 records, but that the 49ers will actually win the NFC West based on a stronger divisional record (the Niners are currently 3-0 within the division).
The simulation even tells us that the race will come down to a December 14 match up between the Cardinals and 49ers, right here in San Francisco. Their calculations say the 49ers will win that game 63.1 percent of the time, and even tell us the most likely final score will be 23-17.
But if I bet money based these projections, there's at least a 63.1 percent chance that I'm going to lose.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who will get his hopes up too high with 63 percent likelihood.
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Posted Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 - 5:04 PM PST
