Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Breakdown: The 49ers will find out where they stand in the NFC West right from the beginning. Three of their first four games fall within the division, beginning with a trip to Arizona.
The 49ers tend to play the Cardinals tough at Arizona. This initial matchup sets up favorably for them as a result. They don't fear the Cardinals and this game provides a good opportunity for them to make a statement early under first-year head coach Mike Singletary.
We'll find out whether the 49ers succeed in establishing the kind of hard-nosed ground game Singletary covets. The team faces cold-weather games against Green Bay and Philadelphia in December. A trip to Seattle, also in December, could feature more bad weather.
Complaint department: Two games against playoff teams in the first three weeks will test the 49ers, but it's the six 10 a.m. PT kickoffs that can't sit well with team president Jed York. York was among several West Coast team executives to lobby the league for fewer early starts. Six is more than enough.
Home sweet November: The 49ers drew three home games in November. These won't be easy games -- Tennessee, Chicago and Jacksonville come to Candlestick -- but this stretch gives the 49ers a good opportunity to build momentum at the right time.
San Francisco 49ers Regular Season Schedule (all times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 p.m.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, 4:05 p.m.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, ST. LOUIS RAMS, 4:15 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, ATLANTA FALCONS, 4:05 p.m.
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, TENNESSEE TITANS, 4:15 p.m.
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12, CHICAGO BEARS, 8:20 p.m., NFL Network
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, 4:05 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m.
Week 14: Monday, Dec. 14, ARIZONA CARDINALS, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, DETROIT LIONS, 4:05 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at St. Louis Rams, 1 p.m.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.