Niner Noise
FanSided

5 biggest challenges facing 49ers vs. Packers, Ravens and Saints

By Robert Morrison

Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 07: Running back Bernard Pierce #30 of the Baltimore Ravens fumbles the ball after being tackled by defensive end Cornellius Carradine #95 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 07: Running back Bernard Pierce #30 of the Baltimore Ravens fumbles the ball after being tackled by defensive end Cornellius Carradine #95 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers will come up against their toughest stretch of the season in the next three weeks, taking on playoff contenders in each game. Niner Noise takes a look at the challenges facing these three teams will pose for the 49ers.

With a win over Arizona Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers ran their record to 9-1 on the season. And given where their schedule takes them over the course of the next three weeks, getting that ninth win may seem all the more vital looking back on Dec. 8.

The gauntlet of games begins with the Green Bay Packers, currently the NFC’s No. 2 seed and owners of an 8-2 record, coming to Santa Clara for a bout on Sunday Night Football. There’s a lot of history between the two teams, and Niners nearly pulled off a miracle victory last season at Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football. The Niners are much improved this year, and will be looking to continue another winning streak.

After that come two road games against the surging Baltimore Ravens and their MVP-contending quarterback, Lamar Jackson, on Dec. 1. That matchup will be followed by a week of practice in Florida, and a trip to New Orleans to take on the Saints on Dec. 8.

What happens in these games will provide a great deal of insight into just how good this version of the 49ers could be. And winning two or even all three of the games will set the team up well for the remainder of their schedule, which still features home games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams, and a trip to Seattle to face the Seahawks to end San Francisco’s campaign.

This run of games will present a series of challenges for the 49ers. Here are the five that stand out among the rest.