49ers 2017 NFL Regular-Season Schedule Released, Easier Road to NFC West?

The 2017 San Francisco 49ers schedule is officially out! The NFL released each team’s schedule for the upcoming season, and Niner Noise has your breakdown for the red and gold.

Only the NFL could make an otherwise boring announcement seem like the countdown on New Year’s Eve.

But that’s the anticipation level for the 2017 regular-season schedule, released officially on April 20 at 8 p.m. ET. You can even watch the ongoing hub-bub on NFL Network, if you so desire.

Anyway, the San Francisco 49ers schedule is all a part of this. So let’s break it down, shall we?

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/855103863862513670

Here’s the list of game, courtesy of whichever sports network you’d like to use (although h/t to Taylor Price and David Fucillo of Niners Nation):

Week 1 — Sunday, September 10 vs. Carolina Panthers at 4:25 p.m.
Week 2 — Sunday, September 17 @ Seattle Seahawks at 4:25 p.m.
Week 3 — Thursday, September 21 vs. Los Angeles Rams at 8:25 p.m.*
Week 4 — Sunday, October 1 @ Arizona Cardinals at 4:05 p.m.
Week 5 — Sunday, October 8 @ Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m.
Week 6 — Sunday, October 15 @ Washington Redskins at 1 p.m.
Week 7 — Sunday, October 22 vs. Dallas Cowboys at 1:05 p.m.
Week 8 — Sunday, October 29 @ Philadelphia Eagles at 1:00 p.m.
Week 9 — Sunday, November 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals at 4:05 p.m.
Week 10 — Sunday, November 12 vs. New York Giants at 4:25 p.m.
Week 11 — BYE
Week 12 — Sunday, November 26 vs. Seattle Seahawks at 4:05 p.m.
Week 13 — Sunday, December 3 @ Chicago Bears at 1:00 p.m.
Week 14 — Sunday, December 10 @ Houston Texans at 1:00 p.m.
Week 15 — Sunday, December 17 vs. Tennessee Titans at 4:25 p.m.
Week 16 — Sunday, December 24 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at 4:05 p.m.
Week 17 — Sunday, December 31 @ Los Angeles Rams at 4:25 p.m.

All times ET * Denotes prime-time matchup.

It’s not a shock to see San Francisco have just one prime-time game, Thursday Night Football, on the season. After all, the Niners are coming off a 2-14 season. National attention for the 49ers is pretty low.

San Francisco’s two-year tradition of playing the late Monday Night Football game in Week 1 won’t be repeated. Instead, the Denver Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers.

A year ago, the Niners were tied for the league’s toughest schedule, according to a 2016 report by CBS Sports’ John Breech.

This year, 49ers opponents own a .475 willing percentage from a year ago — 20th in the league — which is down from .555 carrying over into 2016.

A Weakened NFC West?

Is it really feasible the Niners are gunning for an NFC West crown this season?

As far-fetched as San Francisco’s playoff hopes are, it’s not entirely out of the question. And it’s something we previously addressed here on Niner Noise.

Sure, the 49ers lack talent on both sides of the ball. But aside from NFC East matchups against the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, a sizable chunk of San Francisco’s schedule is winnable.

That leaves the NFC West.

The Seattle Seahawks are still top dogs here. But their offensive line is a mess, and a single injury to quarterback Russell Wilson (we’re not hoping for this, obviously) could throw their entire campaign into disarray.

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Like Seattle, the Arizona Cardinals’ situation under center is precarious. Veteran QB Carson Palmer is edging retirement. And, like Wilson, an injury here could spell disaster for a team seemingly trending in the wrong direction.

And the Los Angeles Rams are terrible. Plain and simple.

We shouldn’t expect the 49ers to go 10-6 or anything like that. Hardly. But if they were in contention down the stretch, it might not actually be that big a surprise.

Next: How the 49ers Are Linked to the Top 32 NFL Draft Prospects

Happy NFL Schedule Release Day, everyone. We here at Niner Noise hope you got to spend this special day with your closest family and loved ones.

San Francisco 49ers 2017 NFL Regular-Season Schedule Released, Easier Road to NFC West?

By Peter Panacy | Apr 20, 2017

The 2017 San Francisco 49ers schedule is officially out! The NFL released each team’s schedule for the upcoming season, and Niner Noise has your breakdown for the red and gold.

A Weakened NFC West?

More from Niner Noise