One of the very first things that I look for when the schedule is released, is the bye week.
The 49ers have a somewhat early bye in a year where we will see our first 18-week NFL season with 17 total games played. With this addition, the placement of the bye week in the schedule could be more important than ever.
When I was discussing my initial reaction to the schedule on Instagram Live, 49ers starting running back Raheem Mostert dropped in to provide a little insight on the schedule. I referenced the 2019 schedule and how the team had an early bye that season (week 4) and Mostert mentioned how that bye week timing wasn't ideal. However, when I asked him about his thoughts on the week 6 bye for the 49ers, he responded by saying "week 6 is perfect".
I have been personally hyper-focused on the NFC West division when it comes to looking at opponents and will dive into why the path to the NFC Championship goes through the NFC West.
First thing I looked at in regards to the NFC West match-ups on the schedule was the spacing of the division rivalries. The 49ers will see the Seahawks and Cardinals weeks 4 & 5 in back-to-back matchups but won't face-off again until week 9 where there is another set of back-to-back division games. The 49ers will play the Cardinals, then Rams in weeks 9 & 10.
After that, the 49ers don't have another division opponent until they travel up to Seattle on week 13 and then will finish the season with a division opponent in the Rams.
Spacing amongst division opponents may seem like a minimal factor but I feel it plays a role in the 49ers winning the division.
Toughest Games
Week 3 vs Green Bay Packers:
This game has an asterisk until we know if Aaron Rodgers will actually be the Packers starting quarterback for week 3 or not. If he is, this will of course be a tough matchup to open the 2021 season at home but if the superstar QB is nowhere to be found on the Packers roster, this could turn into a very manageable game.
Week 7 vs Indianapolis Colts:
This selection may be a surprise to some but I believe this will be one of the harder matchups that the 49ers see in 2021.
Carson Wentz is reunited with his former offensive coordinator from Philly when Wentz was playing at a MVP level. The OC is now the Head Coach and they have a sneaky good offense with weapons such as Jonathan Taylor, TY Hilton, Michael Pittman, and a great OL. Not to mention, their defense is anchored by former Niner DL DeForest Buckner who leads a stout defensive unit.
This is also a primetime game where anything can happen. I expect the Colts to put up a fight.
Week 13 vs Seattle Seahawks:
Anytime the 49ers travel up to enemy territory they will find themselves in a dog fight as long as Russell Wilson is playing quarterback for the Seahawks.
This will be a big primetime game late in the season that will have massive playoff implications. While the Seahawks have been retooling their offense this offseason, they still implore pieces like DK Metcalf and Chris Carson who will be tough to slow down. I believe it will take everything the 49ers have to come out of Seattle with a win.
Week 14 vs Cincinnati Bengals:
IT'S A TRAP!
This is my trap game for the 2021 season schedule. There will always be multiple trap games a year that your team loses that they seemingly should have won on paper. After having to play up North in Seattle then travel to Cinici for a 10am early game, this has all the makings of a trap game.
While the Bengals may be a young team, they have tons of young weapons across the board and could have one of the most improved offenses in the entire NFL in 2021. If the 49ers are playing good football and have a winning record at this point, even lesser teams will play their best ball against the 49ers.
Week 16 vs Tennessee Titans:
Arguably the most daunting game on the schedule, the 49ers have to travel on a short week to play a highly anticipated Thursday Night football game that will likely have the playoffs on the line for both teams.
The Titans are firmly planted in the Super Bowl conversation amongst AFC teams. They are a well-rounded team who are built similarly to the 49ers in regards to how they attack other teams. The 49ers will have to bring their own juice with them to get up on a short week that includes travel halfway across the country.
Week 18 vs Los Angeles Rams:
The final game of the 2021 season appears to be a good one. The 49ers head down south to LA for a game that could have huge division implications at hand.
Considering it is the last game of the year, there will likely be playoff seeding implications and could even be the difference maker of one of these teams making the playoffs or not.
Division rivalries are always a fight so this will be a great one to cap off the 2021 season.
