Niner Noise
FanSided

5 reasons to be worried about the 49ers in 2019

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers lays on his back on the sideline after being injured on the play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers lays on his back on the sideline after being injured on the play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Cornerback Ryan Smith #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks off a pass intended for wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers in the end zone for a touchback in the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Cornerback Ryan Smith #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks off a pass intended for wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers in the end zone for a touchback in the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

No. 2: The 49ers Schedule Does No Favors

Last year, the Niners had only one East Coast road trip in the eastern time zone, Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which came after their bye. San Francisco lost, 27-9.

This year, the 49ers play four games in the eastern time zone: Weeks 1 and 2 against the Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively, Week 7 at the Washington Redskins and Week 13 at the Baltimore Ravens.

San Francisco’s NFL schedule figures to be a bit more difficult this season, especially with some tough, tough matchups over the final six games.

And those road contests could prove to be the difference in finishing above, or below, the .500 mark.

Kyle Shanahan’s squad failed to win a road game last year and had just three victories on the road in 2017, one of which included the Week 17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams’ B-team squad.

Putting it bluntly, the Niners have yet to figure out how to win effectively on the road, which will remain a difficult task this season.