Let's preview the San Francisco 49ers 2024 schedule and make predictions for their record at the end of the season, game-by-game.
The 49ers have a difficult schedule this season, as they play games against all their opponents from last season's playoff run. As a result of getting first place, they have three at-large games on the first-place schedule. The 49ers have the 12th toughest schedule in 2024, according to 2023 win percentage. Their opponents have a .505 win percentage. That won't matter for the 49ers, as they have their sights set on returning to the Super Bowl and finally winning the big game. Questions are arising about Kyle Shanahan's ability to get the job done. Let's preview the San Francisco 49ers 2024 schedule and make predictions game-by-game for their record at the end of the season.
Week 1 vs. New York Jets (Monday Night Football)
Aaron Rodgers returns a year after tearing his Achilles in Week 1. All the focus will be on Aaron Rodgers' performance after a year off from the injury, but the 49ers are also looking for a win coming off their Super Bowl loss. It won't be easy to knock the rust off for the 40-year-old, and the 49ers will ruin his comeback in this game.
WIN
Week 2 @ Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will take a mega step back this season with the departure of Kirk Cousins. Plenty of people are excited about JJ McCarthy's future in the NFL, but until we see him succeed, it's hard to say he'll find a way to beat the 49ers in his first season.
WIN
Week 3 @ Los Angeles Rams
Much like the 49ers at home against the Rams, the Rams won't want to drop home games to the 49ers in two consecutive seasons. Since we have the 49ers winning at home against the Rams this season, we'll take the Rams to split the series at home.
LOSS
Week 4 vs. New England Patriots
The 49ers will see most of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft this season, adding Drake Maye to the list with Marvin Harrison Jr and Caleb Williams. Maye projects to be the weakest of these players in the beginning, and the 49ers should handle the Patriots easily at home.
WIN
Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have a new weapon for Kyler Murray with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. The duo will have success in the NFC, but Harrison Jr likely won't make that big of a difference in his first year. The Cardinals are another team on the rise, but they are another couple of additions away from competing with the 49ers.
WIN
Week 6 @ Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers had no trouble sweeping the season series against the Seahawks in 2023. Playing in Seattle can always present some difficulties, but the 49ers have seen more hostile environments. The 49ers will dominate the NFC West standings again this season, and their record in the division will reflect that. The 49ers going, at minimum, 5-1 in the division seems to be in play.
WIN
Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
It doesn't take much to find a storyline for this game. The Chiefs are 2-0 in Super Bowls against the 49ers over the last five years. The 49ers will try to get revenge in this game and will succeed on their home field. However, the Chiefs have something better than revenge, and that's beating them twice when it counted.
WIN
Week 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)
You wouldn't believe it with their playoff success recently, but the Dallas Cowboys are still one of the best teams in the NFC. The Cowboys' strongest kryptonite may be the 49ers, who have won three straight meetings with the Cowboys, including two playoff games. The 49ers outscored the Cowboys 78-45 over that span. The Cowboys may figure it out eventually, but as long as it's Mike McCarthy vs. Kyle Shanahan, we must pick the 49ers.
WIN
WEEK 9 BYE
Week 10 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers kept their window open a little longer by signing Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, and Antoine Winfield Jr in the offseason. They were expected to slip into mediocrity with all their contracts expiring, but the Buccaneers found a way to keep them in the fold. They could lead the team back to the playoffs in a weak NFC South, but they still aren't good enough to compete with the NFC's big dogs.
WIN
Week 11 vs. Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers took care of business in both games against the Seahawks last season, and Seattle is arguably a weaker team in 2024. The Seahawks front office is trying to fan the flames of the rumor that Geno Smith's starting job may be in jeopardy, but regardless, there are more questions than answers for the Seahawks.
WIN
Week 12 @ Green Bay Packers
The ascent for Jordan Love and the Packers is coming, and they may want to make the most of this window before Caleb Williams gets accustomed to the NFL. As Jordan Love improves, Lambeau Field will become a house of horrors again for the rest of the NFC. The Green Bay Packers could pick up a big win in this game and defend their home field against the 49ers.
LOSS
Week 13 @ Buffalo Bills (Sunday Night Football)
Unfortunately for the 49ers, a matchup with the Bills on the road isn't great for them either. They will likely lose at least one of two visits to the AFC East in 2024, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they floundered in both spots.
LOSS
Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams will get plenty of tests during his first season in the NFL. The 2024 first-overall pick is already slated as the Bears' starting quarterback, and there will be no greater challenge for him than last season's NFC Champions. Williams may lead the Bears to extended success, but it probably won't happen instantly against a team like the 49ers.
WIN
Week 15 vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday Night Football)
The Rams gave the 49ers plenty of trouble last season, beating them 21-20 at home. The 49ers returned the favor on the road later in the season but won't want to drop home games in consecutive seasons against their in-state rivals. There's a path to the Rams and 49ers splitting their season series again this season, but this time with the home teams coming out on top.
WIN
Week 16 @ Miami Dolphins
The 49ers have a challenging AFC East schedule this year, as the Dolphins and Bills are two of the better competitors out of the conference. Going on the road for both these matchups is hard, and they will probably take a loss in at least one of these two games. The Dolphins' regular season offense is a challenge for teams to slow down, and the 49ers don't have the offensive scheme to keep up with Mike McDaniel's high-flying offense.
LOSS
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions (Monday Night Football)
This will be a statement game for the Detroit Lions, as they look to back up last season's playoff run with another successful season. The 49ers squeezed out a 34-31 win in the NFC Championship Game, but the Lions get a form of payback in this game by handing San Francisco a loss at home.
LOSS
Week 18 @ Arizona Cardinals
This game feels like one that the 49ers sleepwalk through and almost suffer an upset loss on a late afternoon in the middle of the season. This game will be close, and the Cardinals will be on upset watch, but the 49ers should be good enough to escape with a victory. The 49ers won both games against the Cardinals last season by 15+ points.
WIN
