5 nightmare scenarios for 49ers in 2023
The 49ers are projected to be a Super Bowl contender in 2023, but things don't always go according to plan.
By Peter Panacy
49ers nightmare scenario No. 4: NFL schedule proves to be too challenging
Take a look at the 49ers' schedule for 2023:
- Week 1 -- 49ers @ Steelers: Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 2 -- 49ers @ Rams: Sunday, Sept. 17 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 3 -- Giants @ 49ers: Thursday, Sept. 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday Night Football)
- Week 4 -- Cardinals @ 49ers: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 5 -- Cowboys @ 49ers: Sunday, Oct. 8 at 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday Night Football)
- Week 6 -- 49ers @ Browns: Sunday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 7 -- 49ers @ Vikings: Monday, Oct. 23 at 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday Night Football)
- Week 8 -- Bengals @ 49ers: Sunday, Oct. 29 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 9 -- BYE
- Week 10 -- 49ers @ Jaguars: Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 11 -- Buccaneers @ 49ers: Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 12 -- 49ers @ Seahawks: Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday Night Football)
- Week 13 -- 49ers @ Eagles: Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 14 -- Seahawks @ 49ers: Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 15 -- 49ers @ Cardinals: Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 16 -- Ravens @ 49ers: Monday, Dec. 25 at 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday Night Football)
- Week 17 -- 49ers @ Commanders: Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 18 -- Rams @ 49ers: Saturday or Sunday, Jan. 6 or 7
It's manageable, yes. But there are some caveats.
For starters, the Niners travel more physical distance than any other team in the league aside from the Seattle Seahawks. On top of that, San Francisco also has the most games against teams either coming off a bye week or a "mini bye," having played the previous week on Thursday night.
Many of those challenges reside late in the year, too, meaning another slow start like the ones we saw the previous two seasons could prove nightmarish.