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49ers: A look ahead at San Francisco’s 2018 opponents

By Chris Wilson

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the Oakland Raiders reacts during their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the Oakland Raiders reacts during their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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With just six games remaining in the 2017 season, the San Francisco 49ers’ opponents for the 2018 season are almost determined. We take a look at the teams the Niners will likely play next season.

In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers will play each team from the NFC North and AFC West, and the two similarly ranked teams from the NFC East and NFC South. And as they do each season, the Niners will also play the other three NFC West teams twice.

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1 – Chicago Bears – NFC North (3-7):  The 49ers will be spared from visiting Chicago in December for the first time in the last three seasons.

2 – Detroit Lions – NFC North (6-5):  The 49ers will look to extend their home winning streak against Detroit to an impressive 13 games; the Niners haven’t lost to the visiting Lions since 1975.

3 – Denver Broncos – AFC West (3-7):  In their last Bay-Area matchup, the Mike Singletary-led Niners beat the Josh McDaniels-led Broncos in a game that featured touchdowns by quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Troy Smith.

4 – Oakland Raiders – AFC West (4-6):  A team that has played home games in Mexico City has a shorter commute to this away game in Santa Clara.

5 – Arizona Cardinals – NFC West (4-6):  Recently, the Cardinals have the 49ers’ number, winning their last three matchups at Levi’s Stadium.

6 – Los Angeles Rams – NFC West (7-3):  The 49ers have played the Rams well at home as of late, winning two in a row before losing a shootout to Los Angeles in Week 3.

7 – Seattle Seahawks – NFC West (6-4):  The Niners hope to break a three-game home losing streak to the Seahawks this Sunday.

8 – New York Giants – NFC East (2-9):  The 49ers will play the lowest-ranked team in the NFC East; the Giants currently have a three game “lead” over the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys for the bottom spot in the division.

Away

1 – Green Bay Packers – NFC North (5-5):  The Packers have lost their last two home games to the 49ers, including “Ice Bowl II,” which I was lucky/stupid enough to attend.

2 – Minnesota Vikings – NFC North (9-2):  Although usually victorious at home, the Niners haven’t beat the Vikings in Minnesota since 1992.

3 – Kansas City Chiefs – AFC West (6-4):  Amazingly, the home team has won each matchup since 1982.

4 – San Diego Chargers – AFC West (5-6):  The Chargers have won the last four games against the 49ers, after losing their previous six, including Super Bowl XXIX.

5 – Arizona Cardinals – NFC West (4-6):  The 49ers are winless against the Cardinals in their last four trips to the desert.

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6 – Los Angeles Rams – NFC West (7-3):  The 49ers visit Los Angeles in Week 17 after beating the Rams there last season.

7 – Seattle Seahawks – NFC West (6-4):  The 49ers have failed to score 20 points in each of their last ten games in Seattle, going 1-9 during that stretch.

8 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – NFC South (4-6):  The 49ers will play the lowest-ranked team in the NFC South; The Bucs will likely claim the bottom spot, unless they can defeat the 6-4 Atlanta Falcons in both of their remaining games.

Next: Which 49ers will make the Pro Bowl?

Hopefully the San Francisco 49ers will fare better against their 2018 opponents than they have so far in 2017.