San Francisco 49ers: Breaking Down 5 Toughest, 5 Easiest Games on 2015 Schedule
The San Francisco 49ers will have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL in 2015.
Per Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports, the 49ers endure the third most difficult regular-season schedule, which comes after an offseason marked by free-agent departures, retirements and wholesale coaching changes.
"Toughest Strength Of Schedule: 1- Steelers .578 2- Bengals .563 3- 49ers .561 4- Seahawks .559 5- Cardinals .557 pic.twitter.com/OyMG178hgw
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) April 22, 2015"
Of course, this is an estimate that does not account for the upcoming NFL draft and is solely based on the win/loss records from a year ago. Other factors will inevitably play into just how tough the 49ers' schedule will be.
The draft, training camp battles, injuries and the wide unpredictability of teams' fortunes invariably carry weight into the final record for any NFL team.
Still, the 49ers have a daunting challenge ahead of them if they look to retain any sort of traction within the tough NFC West.
Here is the full schedule courtesy of the team's website.
"Take a look at the #49ers 2015 regular season schedule. http://t.co/DB2grSTtHA pic.twitter.com/Ym4X9Y8UjD
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 22, 2015"
Can head coach Jim Tomsula's club overcome the home-field woes endured at Levi's Stadium in 2014? Can San Francisco prove to be a formidable opponent within its own division? Will the 49ers avoid repeating the numerous underwhelming performances against lackluster clubs that plagued them last year?
All these factors, and more, play into what the 49ers' picture will look like at the end of Week 17.
Easiest: Week 17 vs. St. Louis Rams
1 of 10
Head coach Jeff Fisher's St. Louis Rams always seem to play the 49ers tough. Such was the case last year when the Rams knocked off the 49ers at Levi's Stadium by a score of 13-10 in Week 9.
In all fairness, San Francisco should have won that game. But quarterback Colin Kaepernick fumbled on the goal line in the waning seconds, and St. Louis recovered the ball.
The Rams have a new quarterback now in Nick Foles.
Foles was manhandled by San Francisco's defense last year when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He threw for just 195 yards and tossed two interceptions against the 49ers defense in Week 4.
Now in St. Louis, Foles won't enjoy the high-flying offense employed by Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. But he will have dynamic wideout Kenny Britt as an asset.
"Reports: #Rams re-sign WR Kenny Britt to help Nick Foles *VIDEO* http://t.co/2erbnrFmDQ #49ersTalk #NFL #49ers pic.twitter.com/pDEk4sMulA
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) March 14, 2015"
St. Louis should be improved this season and always figures out a way to play tough within the division. But the 49ers' fifth-ranked defense in total yards allowed last year (5,143) should be the primary difference here.
Prediction: Win
Toughest: Week 16 at Detroit Lions
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San Francisco's secondary took a hit this offseason when it lost cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox to free agency.
While a healthy return of corner Tramaine Brock—who appeared in just three games last year—helps, the 49ers have a questionable secondary at this particular position. Hopes will be placed upon second-year pros Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser along with veterans Chris Cook and Shareece Wright.
Further help may also be found via the draft.
Whatever the makeup of the secondary is, this unit will have to contend with the likes of the Detroit Lions' most prolific weapon: wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
The 29-year-old Pro Bowler has 26 career receptions for 343 yards over four games against San Francisco. Opposite Johnson will be fellow wideout Golden Tate, who had 1,331 receiving yards a season ago.
Depending on the matchups, San Francisco's safety tandem of Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea may be asked to help out in double coverage, which dangerously opens up the middle of the field for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
And it shouldn't get any easier for the 49ers offense. Detroit's defense ranked No. 2 in the league last year with just 4,815 yards allowed.
Fortunately, Kaepernick and the offense won't have to contend with defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, who left via free agency this offseason—a crucial aspect pointed out by Tyler Emerick of 49ers.com.
This road challenge will be a tough hurdle for the 49ers to overcome. If the 49ers can find out a way to pressure Stafford, who was sacked 45 times last year, they might have a chance.
Prediction: Win
Easiest: Week 14 at Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns might have enjoyed a promising first half last season, but a five-game losing streak to end their regular-season campaign in 2014 resulted in a 7-9 record.
And the Browns have little to look forward to this upcoming season.
Cleveland's quarterbacking situation remains a question. And the Browns don't exactly have the bona fide playmakers on offense that can challenge San Francisco's defense.
The Browns had the 27th-best offense last year in total points (299). Barring the most spectacular of drafts, Cleveland simply won't be able to establish any sort of offensive prowess.
On defense, the Browns will have a tough time limiting the 49ers' running game. Despite the loss of running back Frank Gore during the offseason, San Francisco should be able to let loose the likes of backs Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter.
Cleveland was dead last in the NFL last season in total rushing yards allowed (2,265).
This opens up a simple, bruising approach for Tomsula and offensive coordinator Geep Chryst. The 49ers will run and run often.
The Browns won't be able to match up.
Prediction: Win
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Toughest: Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
4 of 10
The Arizona Cardinals got off to a 9-1 start last season before finishing the year with a respectable 11-5 record and a trip to the postseason.
Replicating that early success will be difficult, but they'll have a chance to repeat their same Week 3 victory over the 49ers in 2014 with another divisional showdown the same week this season.
Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton and wide receiver John Brown made San Francisco's defense look bad a year ago. The tandem combined for two third-quarter touchdowns, which ultimately proved to be the 49ers' demise in Arizona.
Barring injury, quarterback Carson Palmer should be at the helm of the offense in 2015. The quarterbacking carousel that plagued head coach Bruce Arians' team last year shouldn't be a factor in Week 3. And the Cardinals have apparently solved their sack woes, having allowed just 28 last season.
Will the addition of free-agent guard Mike Iupati assist with this trend?
Arizona was vulnerable against the passing game, though. The Cardinals allowed a total of 4,152 passing yards in 2015—No. 29 in the NFL.
But can the questionable 49ers offense, and Kaepernick, find a way to mastermind Arizona's secondary?
Critical to this matchup will be the performance of tight end Vernon Davis. Davis has nine career touchdowns against this division rival—the most out of any opponent.
Also factoring into the equation will be the return of longtime Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who signed a two-year deal in San Francisco this offseason.
"Darnell Dockett signed with an #AZCardinals rival. That has to be someone's fault, right? @kentsomers' analysis: http://t.co/NaiV563jmP
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) March 6, 2015"
Can Dockett and Davis be the primary difference-makers for the 49ers? More importantly, can Kaepernick find a way to permeate the Cardinals pass defense?
Perhaps Davis finds his former self and newly acquired wideout Torrey Smith makes a huge difference.
Prediction: Win
Easiest: Week 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings
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The 49ers open up their 2015 season with a Monday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium.
A prime matchup to watch would be Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, as he would look to go up against a San Francisco defense that ranked No. 7 in the NFL last year in total ground yards allowed (1,612).
But the recently reinstated Peterson apparently wants out of Minnesota, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, and it's difficult to speculate whether or not he'll be a part of the Vikings' offensive plans in Week 1.
"#NFL reinstates #AdrianPeterson http://t.co/WS79oO51ty #Vikings pic.twitter.com/RhExQPKtNb
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) April 16, 2015"
Peterson's presence on the field changes a lot of things. He would go up against a 49ers defense that lost linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland to retirement this offseason. If Peterson isn't with the Vikings at the start of the regular season, San Francisco's defense should have a much better chance.
Minnesota's 2014 offense ranked 27th in the league with just 5,048 all-purpose yards. There aren't a lot of other offensive weapons here.
Defensively, Minnesota is vulnerable against the running game. Week 1 should be another contest in which San Francisco's game plan calls for heavy doses of running back Carlos Hyde. The Vikings gave up 1,943 yards on the ground in 2014—25th in the NFL.
Peterson's likely departure should give the 49ers an edge to start off the season 1-0.
Prediction: Win
Toughest: Week 7 vs. Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks embarrassed the 49ers on Thanksgiving in Week 13 last year. Fans can recall Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman eating turkey on the 49ers logo on Thursday Night Football.
That 19-3 loss eventually wound up being the final piece in the front office's decision to part ways with then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, per Maiocco.
Harbaugh is gone now, which takes away some of the flame in this rivalry. But both teams figure to be aiming at each other's throats in Week 7.
This divisional contest features a Thursday Night Football game, which gives San Francisco an advantage being the home team. The 49ers won't have to travel after their previous week's matchup. But San Francisco's Week 5 opponent is the Baltimore Ravens—another tough game on this list.
And Seattle spoiled San Francisco's short week in a similar situation a year ago.
As is so often the case, the Seahawks will let running back Marshawn Lynch take over the offensive game plan. Lynch is averaging 4.55 yards per carry against the 49ers in his career, and the questionable depth at inside linebacker after the retirements of Willis and Borland could be a problem.
Adding to the daunting task will be stopping Seattle's newly acquired tight end, Jimmy Graham. Graham had 76 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco when the team visited the New Orleans Saints in Week 10 last year.
"Jimmy Graham twice a year. What do the #49ers think about that? http://t.co/JJwKWvdAOz pic.twitter.com/hu9GNwIAbB
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 13, 2015"
The 49ers offense might be better equipped to handle Seattle's defense after signing Torrey Smith this offseason. But will he be enough to help Kaepernick get over this seemingly endless hump?
He owns a career 53.7 passer rating against the Seahawks.
Prediction: Loss
Easiest: Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons
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The last time the Atlanta Falcons visited the 49ers marked one of the most incredible moments in recent 49ers history.
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman sealed that victory in 2013 with an interception returned for a touchdown that will forever be remembered as the "Pick at the Stick."
"Plays of the 2013 Num 1: The Pick at The 'Stick: #49ers http://t.co/78Cgvd8UFq via @YouTube
— Simon™ (@Salzeder) March 3, 2015"
Atlanta hasn't exactly gotten better after that moment. The Falcons finished last year with a 6-10 record and the worst defense in the league with 6,372 yards allowed. While quarterback Matt Ryan has some bona fide weapons in wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White, Atlanta's weak defense won't be enough to halt anything the 49ers offense wants to do on that side of the ball.
Newly minted head coach Dan Quinn might help this out a bit after spending time as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator. But this team lacks any sort of gumption on defense.
As long as San Francisco can maintain ball control in Week 9, the 49ers should have little trouble disposing the Falcons.
Prediction: Win
Toughest: Week 6 vs. Baltimore Ravens
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The Baltimore Ravens could be heading to another playoff berth in 2015 after finishing with a 10-6 record last season.
After all, their offense and defense finished within the top 10 in points for/against in 2014 (409 and 302, respectively).
The Harbaugh rivalry might be gone now with Jim Harbaugh no longer in San Francisco, but there are still some notable storylines that beg attention.
San Francisco's top receiving tandem of wideouts Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith will have a chance to go up against their former team in Week 6 at Levi's Stadium. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh used both of these veterans to great effect when Baltimore beat San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII.
"Anquan Boldin on reuniting with ex-Ravens teammate Torrey Smith: "He helped me out because we complement each other as wide receivers."
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 11, 2015"
Perhaps Boldin and Smith will give San Francisco a boost on offense. Baltimore did allow 3,979 passing yards last season, which was No. 23 in the NFL.
But the Ravens' pass-rushing tandem of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil—who combined for 29 sacks in 2014—could wreak havoc on San Francisco's offensive line.
And stopping Ravens running back Justin Forsett will be another tough challenge for San Francisco.
This could be a hard-fought bout between these friendly rivals. But Baltimore still appears to have the edge.
Prediction: Loss
Easiest: Week 5 at New York Giants
9 of 10
The 49ers will take on the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 5 this year, and one might expect the same sort of treatment by San Francisco's defense to Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Last year, the 49ers picked off Manning five times and sacked him twice, but San Francisco only won 16-10. Given the turnovers, the 49ers should have won by a substantially higher margin. This contest marked one of a number of lackluster offensive performances by the red and gold in 2014.
Having boasted a 6-10 record last year, New York doesn't have a lot more to offer in terms of talent heading into this season. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be a primary threat and requires the 49ers defense's attention, per Emerick.
Yet the Giants struggled to stop the run a season ago. Their defense ranked No. 30 in the NFL with 2,162 rushing yards allowed and gave up a league worst 4.9 yards per carry.
This should play right into a run-heavy approach that utilizes backs Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter. San Francisco's offense shouldn't have to be asked to move the ball through the air that much.
Ball control and a stout defense will be the 49ers' primary efforts here. If these factors play into San Francisco's favor, the 49ers should have little trouble winning this prime-time showdown.
Prediction: Win
Toughest: Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
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The 49ers have yet to find a way to change recent fortunes of playing against the Seattle Seahawks at their home at CenturyLink Field.
Yet this will, once again, be the biggest challenge the 49ers will face in 2015. San Francisco travels to Seattle in Week 11—13 days after its previous contest against the Atlanta Falcons given the 49ers' Week 10 bye, per Emerick.
In theory, this should give San Francisco added preparation and rest time before this crucial division matchup. But despite the offseason departures of Harbaugh and wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the Seahawks will have little reason to play pleasant hosts to their rivals from California.
San Francisco has yet to beat Seattle at CenturyLink since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback. And Kaepernick's 53.7 career passer rating against the Seahawks doesn't bode well either.
The 49ers can expect more of the same offensive output from Seattle Lynch and Graham in Week 11—just like they will in Week 7 at Levi's Stadium.
But the Seahawks' home-field advantage will continue to be a force. Seattle has lost just two games at home over the last three seasons. It's an equation that doesn't play well into the 49ers' fortunes.
Perhaps San Francisco can finally turn its recent history around and knock off the Seahawks in Seattle.
That outcome seems highly unlikely at this point, however.
Prediction: Loss
There are still plenty of factors that are yet to be determined. The 49ers could have an outstanding draft and find a number of impact players who wind up emerging as critical playmakers in 2015. It's possible that the new-look coaching staff under Tomsula propels this team beyond expectations.
Hot and cold streaks for the 49ers and their opponents might also be a contingency.
And then there are the injuries.
But when the season does roll around, San Francisco will be facing some of the tougher opponents around the NFL. This makes victories in the winnable games an absolute necessity in 2015—something with which the 49ers struggled a year ago.
Correcting this issue may be the deciding point in San Francisco's season.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, unless otherwise indicated.
Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.
Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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