Niner Noise
FanSided

10 reasons the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC West in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Jaron Brown #13 of the Arizona Cardinals is hit by cornerback Jimmie Ward #25 and cornerback Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Jaron Brown #13 of the Arizona Cardinals is hit by cornerback Jimmie Ward #25 and cornerback Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 10: The 2018 Schedule Favors the 49ers

In a way, the Niners can feel somewhat happy about finishing in last place a year ago. This grants them the last-place schedule teams receive after ranking out fourth in their respective divisions from the previous year.

Here’s what’s on tap for San Francisco in 2018:

49ers 2018 Schedule & Game Results Table
Week Day Date Opp
Regular Season
1 September 9 1:00PM ET @ Minnesota Vikings preview
2 September 16 4:05PM ET Detroit Lions preview
3 September 23 1:00PM ET @ Kansas City Chiefs preview
4 September 30 4:25PM ET @ Los Angeles Chargers preview
5 October 7 4:25PM ET Arizona Cardinals preview
6 October 15 8:15PM ET @ Green Bay Packers preview
7 October 21 8:20PM ET Los Angeles Rams preview
8 October 28 4:25PM ET @ Arizona Cardinals preview
9 November 1 8:20PM ET Oakland Raiders preview
10 November 12 8:15PM ET New York Giants preview
11 Bye Week
12 November 25 1:00PM ET @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview
13 December 2 8:20PM ET @ Seattle Seahawks preview
14 December 9 4:05PM ET Denver Broncos preview
15 December 16 4:05PM ET Seattle Seahawks preview
16 December 23 4:05PM ET Chicago Bears preview
17 December 30 4:25PM ET @ Los Angeles Rams preview

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/29/2018.

Sure, the first quarter of 2018 will be a bit difficult. The Minnesota Vikings boasted the league’s No. 1 defense a year ago. The Kansas City Chiefs could be tough, and many think the Los Angeles Chargers could win the AFC West this year.

Overall, though, the Niners have a strength of schedule that hits at exactly .500 — tied for 15th in the league. Meanwhile, both the Rams and Seattle Seahawks’ schedules are tied for fifth toughest (opponents with a .523 win percentage from last year). And the Arizona Cardinals aren’t far behind (.520 win percentage).

Plus, San Francisco has just one East Coast trip this season: Week 12 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And it comes after the 49ers bye week.

Meanwhile, the Rams have a tough stretch at the tail end of the first half of 2018. A three-game road trip between Weeks 5 and 7, bookended by home games against the Vikings and Green Bay Packers, could spell trouble.

If the 49ers and Rams wind up having similar records nearing Week 17, that final week when both teams square off could mean a lot.