San Francisco 49ers: 5 Games to Watch in 2012

Just one year ago, there were very few people outside of the Bay Area that cared to watch the San Francisco 49ers. Fast forward to now, and they are one of the most popular teams in the league.

The 49ers won seven more games in 2011 than they did in 2010, finishing 13-3 and picking up a first-round bye in the playoffs.

They were involved in a handful of close games in 2011, and with a similar team the same should be expected this season.

San Francisco has a pretty tough schedule this season and will play in some great games. Featured over the next few slides are five games to look forward to in 2012.

Week 1

Quite possibly their toughest game of the season will come in Week 1, as they will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers finished 2011 with a record of 15-1 and were the only team in the NFC that finished ahead of the 49ers last season.

With a Super Bowl in mind, San Francisco will look to be strong out of the gates and prove to the league that they are the best team in the NFC.

Week 6

In Week 6, San Francisco will get its rematch at home against the World Champion New York Giants.

After knocking off New Orleans, the 49ers suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game.

While most are looking to the future, this is a loss that is hard to forget, and the 49ers, along with their fans, will be looking for revenge.

Given their schedule, a win over the Giants at this point in the season could put them at the top of the NFC playoff race.

Week 7

Just four days later, their second of five prime-time games will be played as they will host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

Pegged by most as the second-best team in the division going into 2012, Seattle will be looking to pick up a win over the 49ers after being swept in 2011.

On the flip side, San Francisco will have a chance to prove that it is without a doubt the best team in the NFC West.

Week 8

Arguably their hardest stretch of the regular season, the 49ers will have to travel to Arizona following two tough home games.

The 49ers and the Cardinals split the season series in 2011 and will face off on Monday Night Football in what is sure to be a war.

As division rivals, both teams do not particularly like each other, and there is a lot of trash talk that goes on between both the players and the two fanbases.

If San Francisco can beat two of its division rivals in back-to-back weeks in prime time, then from that point on it can almost be considered a lock to win the division.

Week 15

At this point in the season, San Francisco will have had a chance to prove that it is the best in the NFC. In this game, they will have the opportunity to take on Tom Brady and the AFC Champion New England Patriots.  

This matchup has the potential to be the Super Bowl preview, and it will be a very important game considering both teams could be in a position to earn the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences.

If Randy Moss is still on the roster, it will be very interesting to see how he responds to playing against his former team.