The San Francisco 49ers have been so close to winning a Super Bowl three times over the last four years. For various reasons, they’ve failed to win the NFC Championship in the previous two years.
In 2021, they couldn’t stop the Los Angeles Rams when it mattered. A year later, they ran out of healthy quarterbacks against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They will start anew in 2023 as one of the NFC’s top contenders. But their path won’t be easy, even if NFL Research ranks them 15th in strength of schedule based on their opponent’s record from last season.
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2023 San Francisco 49ers Schedule
The San Francisco 49ers 2023 game schedule is on Eastern Standard Time.
- Week 1 – at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday, September 10, 1 p.m.
- Week 2 – at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, September 17, 4:05 p.m.
- Week 3 – vs. New York Giants – Thursday, September 21, 8:15 p.m.
- Week 4 – vs. Arizona Cardinals – Sunday, October 1, 4:25 p.m.
- Week 5 – vs. Dallas Cowboys – Sunday, October 8, 8:20 p.m.
- Week 6 – at Cleveland Browns – Sunday, October 15, 1 p.m.
- Week 7 – at Minnesota Vikings – Monday, October 23, 8:15 p.m.
- Week 8 – vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, October 29, 4:25 p.m.
- Week 9 – BYE
- Week 10 – at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday, November 12, 1 p.m.
- Week 11 – vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sunday, November 19, 4:05 p.m.
- Week 12 – at Seattle Seahawks – Thursday, November 23, 8:20 p.m.
- Week 13 – at Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, December 3, 4:25 p.m.
- Week 14 – vs. Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, December 10, 4:05 p.m.
- Week 15 – at Arizona Cardinals – Sunday, December 17, 4:05 p.m.
- Week 16 – vs. Baltimore Ravens – Monday, December 25, 8:15 p.m.
- Week 17 – at Washington Commanders – Sunday, December 31, 1 p.m.
- Week 18 – vs. Los Angeles Rams - TBD
2023 49ers Schedule Analysis for Fantasy Football
The 49ers could not care less about having more road games this season. They can enter enemy territory and let their defense lead them to victory. But they could have a tougher schedule, depending on which Rams or Cardinals team will show up this season. They’ll be in for a fight if both teams return to playoff form.
San Francisco must get used to primetime because they have five games this season. They are not easy matches because they will face last year’s playoff teams in those night games.
The 49ers will also have two short turnarounds, which can be challenging if they have players nursing injuries. Traveling between their Week 11 and 12 games from Tampa to Seattle can also be brutal.
It doesn’t get easier because they will visit Philadelphia for an NFC Championship Game rematch in Week 13 and return home to host the Seahawks in Week 14. The Niners should get a lot of frequent flyer points from these trips.
San Francisco 49ers Season Record Prediction
The San Francisco 49ers will finish with a 12-5 record in 2023. While it is enough to win the NFC West, they will not get a first-round bye. However, their performance will hinge on one crucial factor: Will Brock Purdy be available in 2023?
He shared that he is still determining if he can play in the upcoming season. If he does, the 49ers have a good chance of stringing more victories. After all, he only lost once last year.
If he isn’t available, can the 49ers rely on Sam Darnold? He will likely be the Week 1 starter since Trey Lance is still recovering from an injury. It’s also possible that Lance will wear a different uniform for 2023.
But if they remain healthy, the 49ers will have another lengthy playoff run. They're too good to lose if Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel get going. Getting Javon Hargrave on defense gives them tenacity on the defensive front. Letting their defenders hunt can win them enough games.
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