Optimism abounds going into the 2011 season if you are a San Francisco 49ers fan. The Niners have hired a head coach in Jim Harbaugh who is a proven winner. Since joining the Niner nation when the team draft former University of Utah quarterback in 2005, I have never had more reason to look forward to a season than this one.
One reason to feel this way: the schedule is set up for success. San Francisco has a slate of opponents that finished a combined 22 games under .500 and the 49ers play in the weak NFC West. Things are wide open in 2011 with this schedule:
Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks, (Sunday, Sep. 11, FOX 4:15 PM)
No shortage of storylines are in supply with this game. Division rivals. A pair of head coaches in Harbaugh and Pete Carroll with a history going back to their respective stints in the Pac-10. Should be a good one.
Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys, (Sunday, Sep. 18, FOX 4:05 PM)
If Tony Romo is back at full strength after missing much of last season with a broken clavicle, the three time pro bowler could make this game interesting. Romo holds the Cowboys team record with 25 games where he has passed for 300 or more yards.
Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals, (Sunday, Sep. 25, FOX 1:00 PM)
With Carson Palmer demanding a trade and Chad Ochocinco trying to become a pro soccer player, will anyone even care about the Bengals this season? The truth is they may not be relevant or competitive.
Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles, (Sunday, Oct. 02, FOX 1:00 PM)
Michael Vick has resurrected his career with the Eagles and the Niners experienced it first-hand with a heartbreaking early season loss in 2010. Getting revenge may not be easy in a hostile stadium with Vick showing peak form again.
Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Sunday, Oct. 09, FOX 4:05 PM)
The Bucs blasted the Niners a year ago and gave them their first shutout since 1977. This rematch should offer a good barometer on whether the 49ers have made significant strides from a year ago.
Week 6: at Detroit Lions, (Sunday, Oct. 16, FOX 1:00 PM)
A four-game winning streak to close out last season means the Lions are making strides from the 0-16 campaign in 2008. This could be a trap game with a bye week looming.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns, (Sunday, Oct. 30, CBS 4:15 PM)
One of the few historical NFL powers that has had a worse run of luck this past decade than the Niners. The Browns are still lacking in depth and talent across the board, so this should be one where San Francisco is a clear favorite.
Week 9: at Washington Redskins, (Sunday, Nov. 06, FOX 1:00 PM)
It remains to be seen if Mike Shanahan can work his magic in D.C. He did wonders in helping Steve Young evolve into a hall of fame quarterback back in the early 90s as a 49ers assistant.
Week 10: vs. New York Giants, (Sunday, Nov. 13, FOX 4:15 PM)
This would be a much scarier prospect if Peyton Manning were lining up against San Francisco defense. Eli Manning has his moments, but he is much less consistent than his older brother.
Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals, (Sunday, Nov. 20, FOX 4:05 PM)
If the Cardinals do the smart thing and draft a good quarterback, this could be a challenging divisional matchup. IF Derek Anderson or Max Hall is under center again, chalk a win up for the Niners.
Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens, (Sunday, Nov. 24, NFL-N 8:20 PM)
Getting anything out of the offense will be a chore against the Ravens. Baltimore boasted the league's top passing defense and were the NFL leaders in total defense a year ago.
Week 13: vs. St. Louis Rams, (Sunday, Dec. 04, FOX 4:15 PM)
If Sam Bradford and company can survive a brutal stretch early in the season, the Rams could position themselves as the team the 49ers will need to go through in the NFC West.
Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals, (Sunday, Dec. 11, FOX 4:15 PM)
The Cardinals will try to avoid suffering a home loss for the third straight year to San Francisco. Unless Arizona finds a reincarnation of Kurt Warner, that could be a tall order.
Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, (Monday, Dec. 19, ESPN 8:30 PM)
Alex Smith will need to make big plays for the Niners to snag a home victory here. The Steelers owned the league's best rushing defense last season.
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks, (Saturday, Dec. 24, FOX 4:15 PM)
The 49ers have lost three out of their last four at Qwest Field. Getting a road victory could prove crucial for a late playoff push.
Week 17: at St. Louis Rams, (Sunday, Jan. 01, FOX 1:00 PM)
If either team improves this season, this could be a pivotal clash to decide the NFC West title. That would be a flashback to the 70s and 80s when the two regularly contested division titles.
Source:
http://www.nfl.com/schedules/interactive#/team=SF
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