The San Francisco 49ers have a challenging schedule for the 2023 NFL season, playing eight home games at Levi’s Stadium and nine away games. The team’s opponents include division rivals Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks, as well as other strong teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here is a breakdown of the 49ers’ 2023 opponents:
Home games:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away games:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
San Francisco 49ers Schedule 2023
| Week | Date | Opponent | Local Time | Pacific Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Sep 10 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. | FOX |
| 2 | Sun, Sep 17 | at Los Angeles Rams | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | |
| 3 | Thu, Sep 21 | New York Giants | 5:15 p.m. | Prime Video | |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 1 | Arizona Cardinals | 1:25 p.m. | FOX | |
| 5 | Sun, Oct 8 | Dallas Cowboys | 5:20 p.m. | NBC | |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 15 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. | FOX |
| 7 | Mon, Oct 23 | at Minnesota Vikings | 7:15 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 8 | Sun, Oct 29 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1:25 p.m. | CBS | |
| 9 | Sun, Nov 5 | BYE | |||
| 10 | Sun, Nov 12 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. | FOX |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | |
| 12 | Thu, Nov 23 | at Seattle Seahawks | 5:20 p.m. | NBC | |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 3 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | 1:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 10 | Seattle Seahawks | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 17 | at Arizona Cardinals | 1:05 p.m. | CBS | |
| 16 | Mon, Dec 25 | Baltimore Ravens | 5:15 p.m. | ABC | |
| 17 | Sun, Dec 31 | at Washington Commanders | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. | FOX |
| 18 | Sat or Sun, Jan 6-7 | Los Angeles Rams | TBD | TBD | TBD |
2023 49ers Preseason Schedule
| Date Range | Opponent | Local Time | Pacific Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10-14 | at Las Vegas Raiders | TBD | TBD | |
| Aug 17-21 | Denver Broncos | TBD | TBD | |
| Aug 24-28 | Los Angeles Chargers | TBD | TBD |
Offseason Developments
The 49ers have made some noteworthy changes during the offseason. They’ve sought to improve their offensive and defensive lines while addressing key areas within the roster. Management is determined to ensure that the team is well-equipped to tackle a competitive season. New talent from the draft and free agency, combined with familiar faces, will be instrumental in the 49ers’ quest for success.
Analysis of the Season
The 49ers have an interesting and challenging season ahead. Their opponents combined for a 147-139-2 record last season, resulting in a .514 winning percentage that makes the 49ers’ schedule the 15th toughest in the NFL, based on last year’s results. This is a significant jump from the previous season, which tied for the fifth toughest in the NFL.
Strength of Schedule
Despite the apparent toughness of their schedule, the 49ers have the least difficult schedule among NFC West teams based on the strength of schedule (SOS). However, the 49ers will face nine teams in 2023 that reached the postseason in 2022, along with two additional teams who finished .500 or better in 2022. This includes their three opponents from the 2022 postseason: Seattle, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
Key Matchups
Some key matchups to watch out for this season:
49ers vs. Rams
The first encounter between the 49ers and the Rams in Week 2 promises to be a crucial early litmus test for both teams. The 49ers have historically performed well against the Rams, riding an impressive winning streak. Given the Rams’ potent offense, spearheaded by Matthew Stafford, and their stout defense led by Aaron Donald, these games will be an early and late season test of the 49ers’ prowess on both sides of the ball.
The return fixture in Week 18 will be the last game of the regular season, making it potentially decisive for playoff seeding. Both these contests will likely be fiercely contested battles given the talent on both sides and the stakes involved in the divisional rivalry.
49ers vs. Cowboys
The Week 5 clash against the Cowboys is set to be a notable game for the 49ers. These two storied franchises have a long history of fierce battles, and this game will be an acid test of the 49ers’ mettle, particularly given the Cowboys’ revamp during the offseason. With Dak Prescott leading the charge for Dallas and the Cowboys’ defense having made significant strides, the 49ers will have to bring their A-game to secure a victory.
49ers vs. Seahawks
The Thanksgiving Day battle with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12 is set to be a blockbuster. This fixture is more than just another divisional game; it’s a matchup between two teams with a recent history of close, hard-fought contests. Russell Wilson remains a constant threat, and the Seahawks’ defense always seems to rise to the occasion against the 49ers. This contest will be an important one in terms of playoff positioning and could end up setting the tone for the remainder of the 49ers’ season.
49ers vs. Ravens
The 49ers’ Christmas Day face-off against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 is another headline game. The Ravens, led by dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson, will pose a serious challenge to the 49ers’ defense. Conversely, the 49ers’ offense will need to contend with the Ravens’ aggressive defense. This cross-conference game will not only be crucial in terms of potential playoff implications but also as a benchmark for the 49ers against one of the AFC’s top teams.
Predicted Season Outcome
Given the strength of the 49ers’ roster, their offseason developments, and despite the strength of their schedule, it is expected they will perform well in the 2023 season. If they can leverage their recent success against teams such as the Rams and Cowboys, a playoff spot is a reasonable expectation. However, key to this will be their ability to stay healthy and manage their tougher matchups effectively.
Conclusion
The 2023 season promises to be an exciting one for the San Francisco 49ers. Despite facing a tougher schedule than the previous year, the team has the capability to compete and excel. The key matchups throughout the season will provide a stern test, but with the talent and determination within the team, the 49ers are expected to rise to the challenge. As the anticipation builds towards kickoff, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see their team back in action.
2022 San Francisco 49ers Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Place (Stadium + City) | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Sep 11 | at Chicago Bears | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET | L 19-10 |
| Sunday Sep 18 | Seattle Seahawks | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:05pm ET | W 27-7 |
| Sunday Sep 25 | at Denver Broncos | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | 8:20pm ET | L 11-10 |
| Monday Oct 3 | Los Angeles Rams | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 8:15pm ET | W 24-9 |
| Sunday Oct 9 | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 4:05pm ET | W 37-15 |
| Sunday Oct 16 | at Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 1:00pm ET | L 28-14 |
| Sunday Oct 23 | Kansas City Chiefs | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:25pm ET | L 44-23 |
| Sunday Oct 30 | at Los Angeles Rams | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 4:25pm ET | W 31-14 |
| Sunday Nov 6 | BYE | |||
| Sunday Nov 13 | Los Angeles Chargers | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 8:20pm ET | W 22-16 |
| Monday Nov 21 | at Arizona Cardinals | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | 8:15pm ET | W 38-10 |
| Sunday Nov 27 | New Orleans Saints | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:25pm ET | W 13-0 |
| Sunday Dec 4 | Miami Dolphins | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:05pm ET | W 33-17 |
| Sunday Dec 11 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:25pm ET | W 35-7 |
| Thursday Dec 15 | at Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | 8:15pm ET | W 21-13 |
| Saturday Dec 24 | Washington Commanders | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:05pm ET | W 37-20 |
| Sunday Jan 1 | at Las Vegas Raiders | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 4:05pm ET | W 37-34(OT) |
| Sunday Jan 8 | Arizona Cardinals | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:25pm ET | W 38-13 |
| NFC Wild Card | Seattle Seahawks | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:30pm ET | W 41-23 |
| NFC Divisional | Dallas Cowboys | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 6:30pm ET | W 19-12 |
| NFC Championship | at Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA | 3:00pm ET | L |
FAQS
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Cardinals showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Rams showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Seahawks showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Cowboys showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Giants showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Ravens showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Bengals showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features a 49ers vs. Buccaneers showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features Philadelphia Eagles vs. 49ers showdown.
The 2023 NFL schedule is out, and it features Washington Commanders vs. 49ers showdown.
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