The San Francisco 49ers know the regular-season path they face as they look to go one better after losing Super Bowl 58 in overtime.
San Francisco remains the firm favorite in the NFC following free agency and the draft, but the schedule, released on Wednesday, hasn’t done the Niners too many favors in their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy.
As the 49ers focus on ensuring they are ready for the challenges they face with OTAs this week, let’s look at some surprises and disappointments from their schedule.
their season with a Monday night opener with the New York Jets that will provide a stern early test for Brock Purdy and the offense.
But it’s a little surprising that, beyond their opening act on primetime, the NFL has given the Niners a start largely shorn of high-profile examinations of their credentials as they seek a second successive Super Bowl trip.
The 49ers haven’t won in Minnesota since 1992, but a Week 2 road game with a Vikings team starting either J.J. McCarthy or Sam Danold at quarterback won’t daunt them.
A week later, the Niners take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams should pose a significant challenge but, at a venue where they have never lost a regular-season game, the 49ers will be full of confidence of prevailing in their first divisional clash of the season.
