4 reasons why 49ers are Super Bowl contenders in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers have a more favorable schedule in 2021
A quest to go from last place to first is always made easier by receiving a last-place schedule the subsequent year, and that’s what the Niners can enjoy in 2021.
True, facing off against the NFC North and AFC South means San Francisco will have to battle it out with playoff-contending teams like the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans. And the Minnesota Vikings could be a tough challenge, too.
But the rest of the NFC North shouldn’t be viewed as a massive obstacle, and the remainder of the AFC South is borderline joke-like with almost-guaranteed wins over the hapless Houston Texans and the rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars.
Getting the AFC South on the docket, plus that 17th at-large game against another scuffling team, the Cincinnati Bengals, helps offset the gauntlet that is the NFC West. Even if the 49ers go 3-3 within the division (4-2 is clearly much more preferable), a 6-2 finish over those two other divisions and wins over other last-place teams from 2020, the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, would produce a 12-5 regular-season record and a likely playoff berth with at least a relatively high Wild Card spot.
Very doable, considering the Niners’ 2021 strength of schedule is tied for 19th toughest with opponents’ win percentages from last year at .489.