In the last few seasons, the San Francisco 49ers have been quite literally and figuratively burned by some scorchers at Levi's Stadium early in the season. Santa Clara can get pretty toasty in late September and early October, and Levi's Stadium is not exactly conducive to beating the heat, especially since half the stadium has to deal with blinding sunlight when it's a day game and sunny out.
That's why there was some fear when San Francisco's schedule came out, and there were some early season home games where heat would be a big factor.
But that was not the case at all in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. It was cool and overcast during that game, and the Niners were comfortable on the sideline as they cruised to a comfortable 35-16 victory.
The early forecast for Week 3 at home against the Arizona Cardinals is similarly mild with a forecast of mostly sunny and a high of 72 degrees.
Pretty much perfect, idyllic California weather so there is no need to worry about a repeat of the game in 2024 when San Francisco had a big lead over the Cardinals, even though it was super hot, but the 49ers ran out of gas and allowed Arizona to come back and steal the game from them in the closing minutes.
49ers won't have to worry about another heat-soaked loss to Cardinals
The Niners were so scarred by that loss that they actually petitioned the NFL early for 2025 so they could be allowed to wear their white road jerseys at home in order to provide some relief from the heat.
Last season's early games weren't too bad either, so at least San Francisco has gotten a bit of a respite from the heat these last two seasons.
That doesn't mean Sunday's contest against Arizona will be some walk in the park. The Cardinals upset the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 1, and even though the Chargers losing to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 raises some serious questions about the problems with Jim Harbaugh's team, the Cards nevertheless have to be taken seriously.
Remember, the Cardinals gave the 49ers a run for their money in Week 3 at Levi's Stadium last season, and San Francisco only won, thanks to a last-second field goal from kicker Eddy Piñeiro, which resulted in a pretty legendary celebration from the kicker.
It won't be hot, but the Cardinals aren't going to roll over under new head coach Mike LaFleur, who knows the Niners well, so San Francisco has to play hard.
And the 49ers don't have the heat as an excuse this time.
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