The long-awaited NFL schedule release has finally come after countless rumors and incorrect reports, and the 2022 schedule for the San Francisco 49ers has been dropped.
It's here! 👀
🎟: https://t.co/3YHiKODoKD#FTTB pic.twitter.com/FjuRmqttDq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 13, 2022
The 49ers are one of twelve NFL teams scheduled for the maximum five primetime games, which has been the case for the organization for the past two seasons.
Biggest takeaway on the schedule … A staggering 12 (TWELVE!!!) teams max out with five primetime game. Those 12: Bills, Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs, Rams, Broncos, Bucs, Chargers, Bengals, Patriots, Eagles, Niners.
Speaks well for the balance of the NFL.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 13, 2022
They play the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football in Week 3, the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 4, the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 10, the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football in Week 11 in Mexico, and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 15.
Let's rank those five games for 2022:
5. Week 15: @ Seattle Seahawks(TNF)
Of the five games, this matchup, despite being late in the season, appears to be the least exciting primetime game of the season, given the status of the Seahawks roster and the number of high-level opponents on the schedule in 2022.
While the Seahawks swept the 49ers in the division series last season, this should be the easiest matchup for the 49ers of the five, given that Seattle no longer rosters longtime quarterback Russell Wilson(more on him in a minute) or defensive captain Bobby Wagner.
However, it will be a short week for the 49ers coming off a tough home matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making it a favorable matchup to rebound from in Week 15.
Last season, the 49ers and Seahawks were slated for a primetime Sunday Night matchup in Week 13, but the game was flexed out of the primetime slot due to the Seahawks' poor record at the time.
This season, the rivalry continues under the bright lights.
4. Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams(MNF)
The 49ers will host the Rams on Monday Night Football for the first of two matchups between the division rivals in Week 4 of 2022, which will be the first matchup between the two since the NFC Championship Game.
The Rams lost a number of key free agents in the offseason but acquired Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner and former Bears wideout Allen Robinson to bolster their team as they look to repeat in 2022.
The 49ers will have an extra day to prepare for the divisional matchup, given that it's a Monday Night game, and face a relatively easy opponent in Week 5 in the Carolina Panthers, who face quarterback concerns of their own heading into 2022.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has defeated fellow head coach Sean McVay many times in the regular season, and will look to keep up the streak in 2022.
3. Week 11: @ Arizona Cardinals(MNF)
The 49ers will travel to Mexico to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, following another primetime home game in Week 10 against the Chargers, where the two teams will battle for the first time this season.
The 49ers caught some bad luck as they will compete against DeAndre Hopkins not once, but twice this season, despite his six-game suspension to start the season, as San Francisco faces the Cardinals in Week 11 and Week 18, which could pull for some late-season magic, similar to the 2021 and 2019 season finales.
While the divisional game is definitely of importance, the 49ers should be well-rested, coming off their bye just two weeks earlier in addition to an extra day of rest, given that the game is scheduled on a Monday Night.
Arizona does present some valuable memories as Trey Lance faced off against the Cardinals in Week 5 during his first career NFL start last season, and the 49ers will have a tough home matchup in Week 12 on a short week against the Saints, whom they beat out for a playoff spot last season.
2. Week 3: @ Denver Broncos(SNF)
Similar to a year ago, the 49ers will begin the season with two below-average opponents, this year in the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks, before facing a big test in a primetime setting in Week 3 with the Denver Broncos.
Last season, the 49ers faced off against the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, before coming home to face the Green Bay Packers in a 30-28 defeat on Sunday Night.
The 49ers will re-visit a quarterback that has defeated them on several occasions in the regular season in Russell Wilson, who faces off against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
The Denver Broncos will be a tough test to face, especially early in the season, and the 49ers don't get any favors afterwards, going up against the Los Angeles Rams at home in Week 4.
1. Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers(SNF)
Bosa vs Bosa. Lance vs Herbert
The brother matchup has finally arrived and it's in a special fashion, as the 49ers and Chargers are set to face off in a primetime setting with two young quarterbacks at the helm symbolizing the future of the league.
Additionally, the 49ers have a tough stretch during the time, facing the Rams in Week 8 before their bye week, and then facing the Cardinals in Week 11 following the Chargers matchup.
This game is ranked higher than the Broncos and the Rams games because of where it is during the season, as well as the storylines that highlight the clash.
Facing off against the toughest division in the NFL in the AFC West, the 49ers will have a series of challenges ahead of them, especially with the Chargers.
