2011 San Francisco 49ers Schedule Analysis: Schedule Maker Does Niners No Favors
The 49ers don't have a particularly tough opponents schedule this season. Sure, there are a few games against teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia that seem like tough games, but for the most part, the schedule poses many winnable games.
With everyone excited about the potential of Jim Harbaugh's rookie campaign as an NFL head coach, seeing the schedule for the first time has been highly anticipated.
The 2011 schedule was released yesterday, and there are a number of intriguing storylines to go along with the 49ers' season. Here are 10 things to know about the 49ers' 2011 schedule.
The 49ers Open with Seahawks
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Last season, the Seahawks slaughtered the 49ers in the beginning of the year (an act that Mike Singletary was very appreciative of at the time). Jim Harbaugh already has a beef with Pete Carroll, so it should make for another awkward post game handshake.
The 49ers and Seahawks both have collegiate head coaches trying to make a name for themselves in the NFL. They bring a lot of the college aspects of football with them and should spice up the rivalry factor in the NFC West.
Seahawks on opening day? As Bart Scott would say, "Can't Wait!".
The Bye Week Is in Week 7
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Nobody wants a bye week in an awkward place on the schedule. Week 7 is the perfect place to have a bye week, as the 49ers will probably need a week to rest at that point and will be more fresh heading into the back stretch of the season.
Of the six games before the bye, only two teams had a winning record in 2010. The 49ers could head into the bye week with a record they can move forward with for the rest of the season. The 49ers never recovered from their 0-5 start last season and will be looking to start off the 2011 season in a completely different way.
The 49ers End with a Horrific Four Game Stretch
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The 49ers have three road games to close out the last four games. Their only home game? How about Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football. The NFC West race is probably going to come down to the wire. The 49ers face all three division opponents on the road during that stretch.
If the 49ers want any shot at going to the playoffs, they are going to have to steal games on the road to finish the season out. They have fared particularly well against division opponents in recent years, but failed to capitalize when the playoffs were in their reach last season and the Rams stood in their way.
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The 49ers Get the Steelers on Monday Night
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The Steelers are the best opponent on the 49ers' schedule. They play the sort of hardnosed football the 49ers have wanted to replicate. Some may see this as an opportunity to get embarrassed, but the 49ers do well when the lights are on and the cameras are rolling.
Last season, the NFL portrayed the 49ers Vs Saints matchup as a David Vs Goliath event. The game was at home, and the 49ers came a field goal away from taking out the defending world champs. If the 49ers are going to face the Steelers, they stand the best chance on Monday Night Football with the whole nation watching.
The 49ers Get a Chance for Redemption
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew the 49ers out at home in a shut out loss last season. The Eagles produced a narrower victory over the 49ers, but a victory nonetheless.
The 49ers face both teams this season again and have a chance to right some of the wrongs from the 2010 season. The 49ers face three opponents they suffered a loss to in the first five games of the schedule. They can't afford to let history repeat itself.
The 49ers Have an Unfairly Short Week Going into Week 16
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The 49ers follow up their Monday night game against the Steelers with a Saturday game against the Seahawks at Qwest. Qwest Field is tough enough to get a victory in with a regular week to prepare.
The 49ers not only have a shortened week from Monday Night Football, but the NFL did the 49ers a favor by moving their game a day ahead of Christmas. Thanks, guys.
The 49ers may be faced with a must win game against the Seahawks in Week 16. It is not the opportune time to have an absurdly short week when the opposition does not.
The Harbaughs Are Clashing on Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving is truly a family affair this season. For the first time ever, two sibling head coaches are going to clash, and what more fitting day than Thanksgiving to showcase the event?
This is a huge statement game for the 49ers. Ray Lewis and the seasoned Ravens Vs Patrick Willis and the up and coming 49ers. Older brother vs younger brother in front of the whole nation. The game is in Baltimore and probably presents the biggest risk of any game on the schedule, but with great risk comes great reward...or something like that.
A Trap Game to Consider
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Detroit in Week 6 probably presents the biggest opportunity for an upset loss. The Lions are not a joke on either side of the ball, and if the 49ers jump out to good start, they could be setting themselves up for a major loss.
The 49ers head into their bye week after they play the Lions. If they see the Detroit game as an opportunity for back to back bye weeks, they have another thing coming. In case you didn't know, the Lions finished with the same record as the 49ers last season.
A Long Week to Prepare For...the Browns?
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It's always interesting to see who the 49ers will get some extra time to prepare for after their bye week. Usually, coaches want a team they think they might have trouble beating. The added time can give the underdog the edge, as they have had two weeks to build steam and info heading into the game.
The 49ers would stand a good chance at beating the Browns anyways. It's sort of a wasted long week. While Peyton Hillis might be on the cover of Madden next year, no one on their team is really anything special, meaning the coaching staff probably won't learn anything new with an extra week to prepare.
Week 17 vs St. Louis Could Decide the Division
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The Seahawks took the division last season against all odds, holding off the Rams and finishing their 2010 season strong. The division seems to be a three horse race. 7-9 probably won't be good enough to win the division again, but it could very well be a race to 10 wins.
The Rams are commanded by Sam Bradford, who is already the best quarterback in the division. As long as he is under center, the Rams are going to have a shot at taking the division. The Seahawks look set for a bit of regression this season after overachieving their way into the playoffs, but could certainly make their way into the post season.
The 49ers grossly underachieved last season and still came just one victory away from taking the division and getting to the playoffs. The NFC West race is usually tight, and just like last season, the 49ers' postseason fate may rest on taking out the Rams late in the season.
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