The San Francisco 49ers are viewed as a playoff contender in 2018, but they face a very difficult path to the postseason.
Only one of their first seven opponents, the Green Bay Packers, had a losing record in 2017.
However, that would not have been the case had Aaron Rodgers been healthy for the entire season.
The schedule gets much easier for Kyle Shanahan‘s team from Week Eight onwards. Yet those opening seven weeks may well determine whether the Niners’ postseason aspirations are legitimate. Below are the San Francisco 49ers toughest games in 2018.
San Francisco 49ers Toughest Games in 2018
1. Week One – at Minnesota Vikings
The sternest test of Jimmy Garoppolo‘s 49ers career comes right off the bat.
Garoppolo will not only have to deal with one of the NFL’s most fearsome defenses but also with a home crowd regarded as being one of the loudest in the league.
Meanwhile, the 49ers defense will be tasked with stopping Kirk Cousins and a loaded supporting cast minus linebacker Reuben Foster. If the Niners can emerge from their opener victorious, it will be a huge statement to rest of the league.
2. Week Three – at Kansas City Chiefs
Just two weeks on from their opener in Minneapolis, the Niners have to deal with one of the best teams in the AFC at another famously loud stadium.
Reuben Foster will be back from suspension for this one, but it figures to be another significant challenge for the defense against gunslinger Patrick Mahomes, one of the best running backs in the league in Kareem Hunt and dynamic pass catchers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
3. Week Four – at Los Angeles Chargers
Despite already losing Hunter Henry and Jason Verrett, there is an argument for the Los Angeles Chargers having the NFL’s best roster.
Only the Chargers lack of a great home field advantage and a ridiculous record of previous bad luck prevent the Chargers from being perceived as tough of a test as the Vikings or Chiefs. Yet, the 49ers still certainly won’t be thanking the schedule makers for this finish to a brutal opening four weeks.
4. Week Seven – Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers home schedule is much softer than their road slate, and no game at Levi’s Stadium is likely to be tougher than the visit from the Rams.
This matchup produced a memorable shootout last year but the Rams should have a much-improved defense for this primetime clash.
In facing All-Pros Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh, there is no doubt the 49ers will have to be at their absolute best.
Nothing will come easy in the first seven weeks for the 49ers.
5. Week Six – at Green Bay Packers
A home game against the Arizona Cardinals precedes Garoppolo’s primetime matchup with Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers has the benefit of a host of new weapons, including Jimmy Graham, and a retooled defense.
Green Bay is undoubtedly improved and earning a third straight win at Lambeau Field may prove extremely difficult for the Niners.
6. Week 17 – at Los Angeles Rams
Both teams could be playing for a playoff berth or seeding or there could be nothing riding on this regular-season finale, which was the case in 2017.
The Rams rested many of their starters last season and paid the price as the Niners routed them. It is a decision Los Angeles regretted as the Rams struggled for rhythm in their Wild Card defeat to the Atlanta Falcons.
Regardless of the stakes, expect it to be starters on starters this time around in a rivalry game that should have more intensity than most Week 17 affairs.
7. Week 13 – at Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks appear to be a shell of the team that has dominated the division for much of the decade.
However, as long as Russell Wilson is at quarterback and the CenturyLink Field crowd remains vociferous Seattle will still provide a huge challenge on the road.
Expect this encounter to be significantly tougher than the reverse meeting at Levi’s Stadium two weeks later.
8. Week Two – Detroit Lions
Excitement for the Niners home opener should be tempered somewhat, with the Detroit Lions likely to provide a stern examination of San Francisco’s credentials.
Matthew Stafford leads a prolific offense that will hope to have more success on the ground following the additions of Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount.
And, though this could have all the makings of a shootout, the Lions defense, featuring stars such as Darius Slay and Ezekiel Ansah, has the talent to make life very difficult for Garoppolo.
Be sure to have a look at the San Francisco 49ers easiest games in 2018.
