The San Francisco 49ers are facing a strong list of opponents in 2023 after winning the NFC West a season ago, with the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys headlining the group, along with the team's divisional opponents.
With a group of tough opponents, there are several eye-opening stretches on the schedule, but which set of games is the toughest on the 49ers' 2023 schedule?
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A commonality in the 49ers' schedule and their toughest opponents is home-field advantage. San Francisco faces the Bengals, Ravens, and Cowboys at home during respective parts of the year, but they will travel to Philadelphia for a rematch of the NFC Championship in the middle of their toughest stretch of games during the upcoming season.
The 49ers began a tough three-game stretch with a divisional bout against the Seattle Seahawks in a Thursday Night game at Lumen Field on Thanksgiving.
While the 49ers swept the season series against the Seahawks in 2022 and beat their divisional foe in the wildcard round of last year's playoffs, this matchup should still be one to watch, especially with the potential playoff implications it provides to the NFC West that far into the season.
The Seahawks have gotten better this offseason, adding defensive end Dre'Mont Jones amongst others, while having significant draft capital to find impact-ready players such as cornerback Devon Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Following the divisional matchup, the 49ers get some extra rest, but travel to "The Linc", where they'll face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 13.
The Eagles are coming off an extremely difficult stretch, facing the Kansas City Chiefs on the road before hosting the Buffalo Bills and the 49ers in three consecutive weeks.
Still, they're most certainly a force to be reckoned with, and looked to fill holes created by free agency in the draft with the selections of Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round.
Following a road trip against the Eagles, the 49ers return back home... for another matchup against the Seahawks. Once again, with the playoffs just a few weeks away at that point, the 49ers are in a crucial divisional matchup with the biggest threat to them reclaiming home-field advantage or a first-round bye in the wildcard round.
The 49ers are experiencing significant travel this season, reportedly ranking second in the NFL in miles traveled, which is expected for a West Coast team, and a portion of that comes within this three-game stretch that involves a cross-country trip and several tough opponents.
49ers finalize 2023 preseason schedule with dates and times
By David Bonilla
May 26
The San Francisco 49ers finalized their preseason schedule, announcing the dates and times for all three exhibition games, along with the broadcast information. We already knew the dates and times of the final two preseason matchups. The Los Angeles Chargers revealed the details of the preseason finale on May 16. The next day, the Denver Broncos announced the date and time of their matchup against the 49ers.
That left the preseason opener against the Raiders, the lone preseason road game for the Niners, as the only unknown. The two teams open their exhibition schedules at Allegiant Stadium in Las
The San Francisco 49ers had a unique draft, making nine selections, but making their first selection in the third round.
However, they made three third-round selections, including a trade up to No. 87 for Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown.
With a good number of selections, but only starting in the third round, how will the 49ers utilize their rookies in 2023?
S Ji'Ayir Brown
The 49ers' top selection was Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who the team moved up 15 spots to take.
Brown was a draft favorite of mine, as he possessed good instincts and ball skills in coverage, as well as his quick close speed.
He profiles as a similar athlete to Talanoa Hufanga, and could be a contributor in Year 1, as he's the most
49ers Mailbag: What happens if Sam Darnold beats out Trey Lance? Which rookie will play the most in 2023? Which question stumped us?
By Marc Adams
May 31
What happens if Sam Darnold beats out Trey Lance? We're answering this question and others in this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag.
It's week two of OTAs, and the 49ers will have a session open to the media on Wednesday. It may even be happening as you're reading this. And Brock Purdy is believed to start throwing a ball this week (though probably not a regular football).
But for now, ignore those reports, and let's jump into our latest mailbag and answer your questions.
Who's starting on Opening Day at FS? - Chris W.
The 49ers re-signed veteran free safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year deal and drafted Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown back in April. Brown is the future starting free safety. That future is most likely to
"I'm about to take off": 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk expects big things in 2023
By David Bonilla
May 31
Brandon Aiyuk knows his payday will come—eventually. Some speculated that the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver might be frustrated by his contract situation. However, Aiyuk admits he was just having fun with the offseason rumors.
"It's just a crazy, crazy business, so you never really know," Aiyuk told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "But I was having fun with it. I knew what's going on long before, so yeah. I didn't know what was going on at first, but I had a conversation with [general manager] John [Lynch], I had a conversation with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan]. They told me what it was, and then from that point on, we moved forward."
Aiyuk is entering his fourth NFL season and is looking to top his 78-catch, 1,015-yard, and eight-touchdown
