Searching for a win: Will Browns, 49ers avoid 0-16 seasons?

There won't be an undefeated team this NFL season, but there remains a possibility that one or two sides will go winless.

At 0-6, both the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers are well on their way to 0-16 campaigns.

These two teams had the worst records in the league last season, but successful drafts and positive signs in the preseason led many to believe their rebuilds were on the right track. Yet, with every passing week, optimism thins in both cities.

Will these franchises avoid 0-16 seasons? Let's look at their remaining slates:

Browns

The Browns promised they'd be better than the team that took until Week 16 to get its first win last year. That promise has not been kept.

Cleveland is through a stretch in which it played the Colts, Bengals, and Jets in consecutive weeks - yet remained winless. Now, prized rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has been benched in favor of Kevin Hogan, a 2016 fifth-round pick.

Here's how the rest of the Browns' schedule breaks down:

Week 7: vs. Titans
Week 8: vs. Vikings
Week 10: at Lions
Week 11: vs. Jaguars
Week 12: at Bengals
Week 13: at Chargers
Week 14: vs. Packers
Week 15: vs. Ravens
Week 16: at Bears
Week 17: at Steelers

The Browns might have blown their best opportunities for a win, but they still have favorable upcoming matchups. Their next four games come against opponents that have failed to show any consistency. Then, after the Battle of Ohio, Cleveland will meet the only team it defeated last season: the Los Angeles Chargers.

The best bets for a win will come in Weeks 15 and 16. The Browns will get a shot at revenge against the Ravens on Dec. 17 before they face rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky and the rebuilding Bears the following week.

Prediction: Win vs. Bears in Week 16

49ers

The 49ers have been in almost every one of their games, and lost each of their last five by three points or less. At some point, the Niners will break through. But when?

Week 7: vs. Cowboys
Week 8: at Eagles
Week 9: vs. Cardinals
Week 10: vs. Giants
Week 12: vs. Seahawks
Week 13: at Bears
Week 14: at Texans
Week 15: vs. Titans
Week 16 vs. Jaguars
Week 17: at Rams

New head coach Kyle Shanahan has his club playing hard and on the cusp of reaping the rewards.

San Fran also made a change at quarterback, throwing third-round pick C.J. Beathard into the fire in Week 6, and he nearly led the Niners to a come-from-behind victory against Washington.

Beathard's first career start will come against an up-and-down Cowboys club that could be without Ezekiel Elliott if the running back's six-game suspension is upheld. It's the perfect time to catch Dallas distracted coming out of its bye week.

Prediction: Win vs. Cowboys in Week 7

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)