With that, let's take an early look at what the most crucial games might be for the 49ers.
1. Week Three vs Green Bay
After two early road games against favorable opponents in Detroit and Philadelphia, the 49ers face their first test at home against the Green Bay Packers.
The game will be their first Sunday night showdown, and if Aaron Rodgers remains with the team, this will be their first taste of playoff football and a good way to gain momentum heading into their first tough stretch of the season.
Not only is this game a primetime matchup, but the 49ers will be traveling in three consecutive weeks, going to Detroit, then to Philadelphia, before going back home.
All of these factors combined make this matchup against Green Bay one of the most crucial games on the 49ers schedule.
2. Week Nine vs Arizona
During their second tough stretch of the season, the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals at home.
While it is a home game, the 49ers are still traveling, coming off a road game against the Bears, making it another tiring trip.
This game is important, not only because of likely division implications, but also because it is right in the middle of this tough four-week stretch.
The 49ers should view this as a crucial game to build momentum before facing their division foe, the Los Angeles Rams, in the following week, but to also get a needed victory along this stretch.
3. Week 13 vs Seattle
Another division game with likely playoff implications, the 49ers travel to Seattle in Week 13.
Not only is the game on the road against a division rival, but it will also be a Sunday night primetime game.
This game will be along the stretch of stressful travel as the 49ers travel to Jacksonville in Week 11, then back home for Minnesota in Week 12, before traveling again to Seattle in Week 13.
The 49ers have to come into this game prepared on the road if they are going to pull out this needed victory.
4. Week 16 vs Tennessee
Another primetime game, the 49ers face a short week in Week 16 as they face the Titans in Tennessee on Thursday night.
The game falls under another slate of heavy traveling, a norm for the 49ers this season, as they will be coming off visits to Seattle and Cincinnati, a trip back home for a matchup with Atlanta, and then heading back out to Tennessee.
Against another likely playoff team, the 49ers will face a heavy challenge, heading in to Tennessee and their poor winter weather, and it could be a decisive game for both teams' playoff hopes.
With favorable matchups around it in Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Houston, the 49ers could look at this Tennessee matchup as early playoff football.
5. Week 18 vs Los Angeles
What is better than some division rival football to end the season? And for it to be in the first ever San Francisco Week 18 matchup? Just like two years ago against Seattle, this game may hold playoff implications, which is a great way to end the season.
Still, Los Angeles is a very good football team coming off a tough Baltimore matchup and will be determined to close out its season at home on a high note.
With the 49ers coming off a Houston Texans home game, they should be well prepared and eager for playoff football, and this matchup will give them another taste of that, if they are able to make it.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
