GAMEDAY / WEEK 1 : For These 49ers, the Gold Rush Could Be Over

Times NFL writer T.J. Simers poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

1. Question: What record is in danger of being broken the most this season?

Answer: That’s easy--the 49ers’ 16-year streak of winning at least 10 games. You think Lawrence Phillips or Charlie Garner is going to save the day?

2. Q: Why is everyone so keen on putting Jacksonville in the Super Bowl just because they hired Dom Capers as defensive coordinator?

A: Capers had a swell reputation as a defensive coordinator with Pittsburgh and excelled as head coach of Carolina before his team collapsed. This note to ponder: A defense-minded Capers had the NFL’s 30th-ranked defense last season.

3. Q: What do we know about the caliber of athlete coming into the NFL these days?

A: In a survey of incoming rookies, 175 athletes from 1998 and 1999 were polled anonymously.

* 13% said it would be worth the risk to use steroids to become a first-round pick or all-pro, even if it would cause serious problems later in life. Among rookies who weren’t drafted, the number jumped to 35%.

* 72% of players who were not drafted said it would be worth it to play in the NFL even if it meant severe limitations on their physical activity by age 55.

* 88% acknowledged having used creatine, a body-building supplement, at some point in their careers, with all but 1% having started in college.

* 99% said that athletes who commit a violent act against a coach, teammate, club representative or game official should be fined or suspended, but only 54% said players who were involved in domestic abuse or violence should face the same punishment.

4. Q: Why do kickers look so upset already?

A: New rules dictate that 12 of the 36 balls used for every NFL game be set aside and stamped with a small K below the brand name and used only for kickoffs, punts, extra points and field goals. As a result, the balls will be shiny and hard and could affect the accuracy and consistency of kickers.

5. Q: What team has the best shot at being undefeated five weeks into the season?

A: The worst team in the league, the Chargers. They get a bye to start, then get the Bengals, Colts, Chiefs and Lions.