The San Francisco 49ers 2024 schedule is arguably their toughest test yet.
The San Francisco 49ers embark on the 2024 season with arguably their toughest schedule yet in Kyle Shanahan’s quest to finally win his first Super Bowl as head coach. Entering the season, San Francisco will look to return to the Super Bowl after their tough loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. And to get there, the 49ers must pass these tests on the schedule.
Kansas City Chiefs – Week 7
The Super Bowl rematch is one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL at the moment. The 49ers and the Chiefs have met three times in the last five years, two of which have come in the Super Bowl. The most recent regular season result was a 44-23 blowout loss for the Niners at Levi’s back in 2022.
The last time San Francisco salvaged a win over the Chiefs was in 2014. However, a win over Andy Reid’s strong Chiefs roster will bolster head coach Kyle Shanahan’s legacy further, considering the previous near misses at Super Bowl LIV and LIVIII.
It will be no easy task, but at least San Francisco will have the faithful behind them on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara. A possible win will give the roster a mental boost considering their recent history with Kansas City. And, it will prove to the team that they are capable of defeating NFL’s best.
Buffalo Bills – Week 12
The Buffalo Bills return on the 49ers schedule in 2024, and provide a tough test for San Francisco. Every year since 2020, the Bills have finished amongst the top of their conference. And like the 49ers, they have an intense rivalry with the Chiefs.
The 49ers’ last matchup with the Bills came during the COVID-19 season in 2020, losing 34-24. Shanahan’s team will be looking to make amends as they venture to the bitterly cold Highmark Stadium in New York in December, in a polar opposite climate of what they’re used to playing.
The 12-year long wait for that win presents opportunity for San Francisco. Former Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs departed for the Houston Texans to join forces with Shanahan tree graduate DeMeco Ryans. Instead, the Bills will rely on a multiple newcomers to pick up the slack – which could create plenty of opportunity for the 49ers defense.
Detroit Lions – Week 16
The final game on the schedule for the 49ers welcomes the Detroit Lions in a repeat of their matchup of the 2023 NFC Championship Game. In that game, we saw San Francisco overcome a 24-7 deficit to win 34-31 in front of the faithful.
The match itself looked over at 24-7 down as the Lions rose to the occasion, but halfway through the third quarter the momentum swung in the 49ers’ favor to level proceedings. Their 2024 matchup is expected to live up to the billing, as both teams are considered strong favorites to make it out of the NFC once again.
Dan Campbell and the Lions have risen their way up the ranks to be a formidable force in the NFC, with multiple strong weapons in both defense and offense. His 3-13 record in his debut year as coach in 2021 to 12-5 last year shows the commitment to their project to bring home that elusive Super Bowl. Because of that, this contest will be one of the most difficult on the 49ers schedule.
