6 games 49ers can already put into the win column in 2024

The 2024 NFL schedule will officially be released on Wednesday, May 15. But we've known for some time now which teams the San Francisco 49ers will face this season.

Turns out, they square off against a few forbiddable foes.

The Niners will face all four teams in the AFC East and NFC North divisions, in addition to their regular home-and-away matchups against their three division rivals within the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams.

San Francisco has won at least 10 games the past three seasons. That said, the reigning NFC champions and the runner-ups in the Super Bowl have their work cut out for them.

So, understandably, it'd help to win the games the 49ers are expected to win.

Here are six that should already be chalked up as victories.

What 49ers games on 2024 schedule are most winnable?

Let's first look at the two teams that did not fare well too well last year: the Cardinals and the Seahawks.

Both of these NFC West teams failed to make the playoffs.

Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Dating back to 2019, Arizona has lost seven of the last 10 regular-season games against San Francisco. The 49ers outscored the Cardinals 76-23 in their two games back in 2022 and then 80-45 in the pair of contests last year.

Arizona did not field a threatening defense last season, either. As a squad, the Cardinals only forced five fumbles on the year.

The Cardinals failed to produce points, offensively, as well. They were tied for the eighth lowest scoring offense at just 19.4 points per game, meaning as long as the Niners protect the ball in this home bout (they should), it'll be a cakewalk.

Week 11 vs. Seattle Seahawks

Next, the Hawks also got swept by San Francisco the last two seasons. In 2022, they were outscored 48-20 in the two games and 59-29 last year.

Seattle had the fifth-lowest rushing offense at 92.9 yards per game. If one might assume the 49ers' biggest defensive weakness is against the run, this stat is a good thing.

As an offense, the Seahawks only tallied 364 points on the season compared to the 49ers' total of 491.

Additionally, Pete Carroll is out as the Hawks' long-time head coach, giving way to first-year coach Mike Macdonald, who'll have some growing pains this season.

With a new regime in place, quarterback Geno Smith and the offense may further struggle to add to the scoreboard against a rather formidable 49ers defense.

Week 2 @ Minnesota Vikings

Another NFC opponent that may offer little challenge to the 49ers is the Minnesota Vikings.

Granted, San Francisco did lose last year's contest, but these Vikings are without now-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and now-New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn.

One of the two new quarterbacks for Minnesota should look familiar to San Francisco. Former backup Sam Darnold signed a one-year deal, possibly serving as a bridge for rookie signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.

Minnesota still boasts star wideout Justin Jefferson for a squad that only averaged 20.2 points per game. Furthermore, much like the Seahawks, the Vikings' run game was measly at just 91.4 yards a game.

Ball control also proved to be an issue for Minnesota as they turned over the football 34 total times last year.

Look for the 49ers to pounce on this opponent on the road in 2024.

Week 10 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Two years removed now from future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are putting faith in Baker Mayfield as their quarterback. They also bring back their pair of outstanding receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

This is another opponent for the 49ers that had a terrible run offense last year, which is vitally important for a Niners defense having to make the cross-country road trip.

In 2023, the Bucs averaged a league-worst 88.8 yards a game on the ground.

A solid defense from Tampa Bay struggled to support an offense that only averaged 20.5 points per contest, too. The 49ers should be able to win this matchup out in Florida as well.

Week 4 vs. New England Patriots

Much like the Vikings, another former Brady team, the Patriots, will be sporting a new quarterback duo. Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye debut in Foxboro this year.

The Pats had a poor offensive showing in 2023. They had the third-worst offense in terms of yardage with only 276.2 a game. And, with just over 180 yards passing and barely over 95 yards a game rushing, New England only recorded 29 total touchdowns by the offense. The Patriots' 13.9 points per game was tied for dead last in the league, too.

Capping it all off, just like the Seahawks, New England is dealing with a coaching change of its own after parting ways with Bill Belichick earlier this offseason, meaning Jerod Mayo will have his own head-coaching challenges of a bad, bad team.

While the Patriots defense is their biggest asset, they may not be able to score enough against the 49ers when they visit Levi Stadium.

San Francisco should be able to claim a victory against New England in this matchup.

Week 1 vs. New York Jets

Yes, Week 1 against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Co. should be the first win of the season for San Francisco when these two teams square off on Monday Night Football.

Quarterback Zach Wilson has been traded away, and Rodgers looks to return from a major season-ending injury suffered in Week 1 last year.

The Jets' offense was anemic as a result, as they accumulated even less yards a game than the Patriots (268.6). As well, they had the third-worst passing offense at 171.7 yards a game once Rodgers was shelved.

New York only averaged 15.8 points a game, fourth-worst in the NFL. While improvements have been made and the Jets have a very capable defense, the 49ers overmatch their first oppoent of the year.

Not even Rodgers can make up the difference.

San Francisco should be able to wrap up Week 1 with a win, one of many for the 49ers on the year as they look to return to the Super Bowl, again.