{"id":46979,"date":"2018-08-13T18:09:56","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T22:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=46979"},"modified":"2018-08-13T18:31:34","modified_gmt":"2018-08-13T22:31:34","slug":"49ers-toughest-games-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/13\/49ers-toughest-games-in-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco 49ers Toughest Games in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

The San Francisco 49ers<\/a> are viewed as a playoff contender in 2018, but they face a very difficult path to the postseason.<\/p>\n

Only one of their first seven opponents, the Green Bay Packers<\/a>, had a losing record in 2017.<\/p>\n

However, that would not have been the case had Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/strong> been healthy for the entire season.<\/p>\n

The schedule gets much easier for Kyle Shanahan<\/strong>‘s team\u00a0from Week Eight onwards. Yet those opening seven weeks may well determine whether the Niners’ postseason aspirations are legitimate.\u00a0Below are the San Francisco 49ers toughest games in 2018.<\/p>\n

San Francisco 49ers Toughest Games in 2018<\/strong><\/h1>\n

1. Week One – at Minnesota Vikings<\/h2>\n

The sternest test of Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/strong>‘s 49ers career comes right off the bat.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the 49ers defense will be tasked with stopping Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong> and a loaded supporting cast minus linebacker Reuben Foster<\/a><\/strong>. If the Niners can emerge from their opener victorious, it will be a huge statement to rest of the league.<\/p>\n

2. Week Three – at Kansas City Chiefs<\/h2>\n

Just two weeks on from their opener in Minneapolis, the\u00a0Niners have to deal with one of the best teams in the AFC at another famously loud stadium.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/strong>, one of the best running backs in the league in Kareem Hunt<\/a><\/strong> and dynamic pass catchers Tyreek Hill<\/a> <\/strong>and Travis Kelce<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. Week Four – at Los Angeles Chargers<\/h2>\n

Despite already losing Hunter Henry<\/a><\/strong> and Jason Verrett<\/a><\/strong>, there is an argument for the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> having the NFL’s best roster.<\/p>\n

Only the Chargers\u00a0lack of a great home field advantage\u00a0and 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.<\/p>\n

4. Week Seven – Los Angeles Rams<\/h2>\n

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\u00a0from the Rams.<\/p>\n

This matchup produced a memorable shootout last year but the Rams should have a much-improved defense for this primetime clash.<\/p>\n

In facing All-Pros Marcus Peters<\/a><\/strong> and Ndamukong Suh<\/a><\/strong>, there is no doubt the 49ers will have to be at their absolute best.<\/p>\n

Nothing will come easy in the first seven weeks for the 49ers.<\/p>\n

5. Week Six – at Green Bay Packers<\/h2>\n

A home game against the Arizona Cardinals<\/a>\u00a0precedes Garoppolo’s\u00a0primetime\u00a0matchup with Aaron Rodgers.<\/p>\n

Rodgers has the benefit of a host of new weapons, including Jimmy Graham<\/a><\/strong>, and a retooled defense.<\/p>\n

Green Bay is undoubtedly improved and earning\u00a0a third straight win at Lambeau Field may prove extremely difficult for the Niners.<\/p>\n

6. Week 17 – at Los Angeles Rams<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

7. Week 13 – at Seattle Seahawks<\/h2>\n

The Seattle Seahawks<\/a> appear to be a shell of the team that has dominated the division for much of the decade.<\/p>\n

However, as long as Russell Wilson<\/strong> <\/a>is at quarterback and the CenturyLink Field crowd remains vociferous Seattle will still provide a huge challenge on the road.<\/p>\n

Expect this encounter to be significantly tougher than the reverse meeting at Levi’s Stadium two weeks later.<\/p>\n

8. Week Two – Detroit Lions<\/h2>\n

Excitement for the Niners home opener should be tempered somewhat, with the Detroit Lions<\/a> likely to provide a stern examination of San Francisco’s credentials.<\/p>\n

Matthew Stafford<\/strong> <\/a>leads a prolific offense that will hope to have more success on the ground following the additions of Kerryon Johnson<\/strong><\/a> and LeGarrette Blount<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

And, though this could have all the makings of\u00a0a shootout, the Lions defense, featuring stars such as Darius Slay<\/strong> <\/a>and Ezekiel Ansah<\/strong><\/a>, has the talent to make life very difficult for Garoppolo.<\/p>\n

Be sure to have a look at the San Francisco 49ers easiest games in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>