49ers Release 2023 Schedule
The 49ers just released their regular season schedule for 2023. Here it is, along with win-loss predictions for each game.
WEEK 1: Sunday, Sept. 10 @ the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Prediction: Win. The 49ers offense typically starts slow, but the defense does not, unless it faces an extremely mobile quarterback who can't be contained in the pocket. That's not Kenny Pickett. He's a moderately mobile quarterback who lacks premium arm talent and premium weapons, which means the 49ers will make him look terrible.
WEEK 2: Sunday, Sept. 17 @ the Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction: Win. Matthew Stafford is a sitting duck in the pocket and the Rams are rebuilding. Plus this essentially will be a home game for the 49ers.
WEEK 3: Thursday Night, Sept. 21 vs. the New York Giants.
Prediction: Win. This will be a close game, because the Giants are well coached and their quarterback, Daniel Jones, is extremely mobile. But they still lack premium weapons on offense, which means Jones will have to lead lots of long, grueling drives, and only Patrick Mahomes is good enough to do that against the 49ers.
WEEK 4: Sunday, Oct 1 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Prediction: Win. The Cardinals won't have Kyler Murray, who's recovering from a torn ACL, plus they're the worst team in the NFL.
WEEK 5: Sunday Night, Oct. 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
Prediction: Loss. The Cowboys have an elite defense that held the 49ers to 19 points in the playoffs last season. In addition, the Cowboys have Tony Pollard, who left the playoff game with a broken ankle, plus Brandin Cooks, whom they signed this offseason. Those two players give Dallas the explosive element they need to win. This should be a low-scoring game.
WEEK 6: Sunday, Oct. 15 @ the Cleveland Browns.
Prediction: Loss. Deshaun Watson is an extremely mobile quarterback who makes his money getting out of the pocket and making plays downfield, which is exactly what you have to do to beat the 49ers.
WEEK 7: Monday Night, Oct. 23 @ the Minnesota Vikings.
Prediction: Win. The 49ers most likely will stay on the road between games to reduce travel, which will help. Also, Kirk Cousins is a statue, and statues crumble against the 49ers.
WEEK 8: Sunday, Oct. 29 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.
Prediction: Loss. The 49ers will be jet lagged after spending 10 days on the road -- they're 1-4 after extended trips to the Eastern Time Zone. And although Joe Burrow isn't extremely mobile, he has an excellent offensive line and outstanding wide receivers the 49ers can't shut down.
WEEK 9: BYE
WEEK 10: Sunday, Nov. 12 @ the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prediction: Loss. The 49ers are coming off a bye, but they're on the road starting at 10:00 a.m., and the Jaguars are an ascending team with an excellent young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who is a threat to scramble and throw deep.
WEEK 11: Sunday, Nov. 19 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prediction: Win. The Buccaneers quarterback most likely will be Baker Mayfield, who always plays terribly against the 49ers.
WEEK 12: Thursday Night, Nov. 23 @ the Seattle Seahawks.
Prediction: Loss. The Seahawks are young and talented, Seattle always is a tough place to play and Geno Smith can't possibly lose four straight games to the 49ers, can he?
WEEK 13: Sunday, Dec. 3 @ the Philadelphia Eagles.
Prediction: Loss. Jalen Hurts mostly stays in the pocket when he throws, which is good for the 49ers. But the Eagles are so talented, especially in the trenches, where they physically overwhelmed the 49ers in the NFC Championship. Since then, the 49ers offensive line has gotten worse, and so has their run defense, which means the Eagles still should have their number.
WEEK 14: Sunday, Dec. 10 vs. the Seattle Seahawks.
Prediction: Win. There's no way Geno Smith will beat the 49ers twice in one season.
WEEK 15: Sunday, Dec. 17 @ the Arizona Cardinals.
Prediction: Win. Kyler Murray might be back from his torn ACL for this game, but it won't matter, because the Cardinals are just that bad.
WEEK 16: Monday Night, Dec. 25 vs. the Baltimore Ravens.
Prediction: Loss. Lamar Jackson is the most mobile quarterback in the NFL and the 49ers are not built to contain him. Bad matchup.
WEEK 17: Sunday, Dec. 31 @ the Washington Commanders.
Prediction: Win. The Commanders still don't have a quarterback who can threaten the 49ers -- or any team, for that matter.
WEEK 18: Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 6/7 vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction: Win. The Rams will have nothing to play for in this game.
FINAL RECORD: 10-7