Adjusting to the eastern time zone is the 49ers first challenge over the next two weeks

One of the first challenges the San Francisco 49ers will face this season comes within the very first two weeks of the regular season. The 49ers will be on the road on the east coast, which is known to trip up west coast teams. Sunday against the Buccaneers is just the warmup for what is ahead.

The 2019 regular season campaign kicks off this Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, the Buccaneers were more or less an average team despite what their high rank said as an offense. In reality their offense wasn't really sound, so the ranking is invalid. However, this season could be a legitimate ranking now that Bruce Arians is the head man in charge.

Arians return to the sidelines after a one-year hiatus definitely makes the Buccaneers a team to watch this season. It makes the matchup between these two teams enticing because both have high expectations. The 49ers will have their hands full come Sunday in Tampa Bay, but the first challenge to this game is adjusting to the eastern time zone. Remember, this is a road matchup for the 49ers.

Generally, west coast teams do not fair well on the east coast. That mainly stems from the three hour leap that messes with these players body clock. It is something that constantly gets overlooked and treated as nothing, when in reality it impacts these guys. These players have strict routines that allow them to perform at a high level. Even a tripped up sleep schedule could be enough to teeter their performances.

We see it all the time with west coast teams visiting the east coast. Luckily for the San Francisco 49ers, they do not have to worry too much about that against the Buccaneers because it is a 4:25pm EST start time. They shouldn't feel a difference other than the prior days of adjusting. However, the Buccaneers are just the warm-up to the real challenge in week two.

Following the game against Tampa Bay, the 49ers will have to square off against the Cincinnati Bengals. That game is slated for a 10am PST start time, which will surely be felt. It's why Kyle Shanahan has chosen to remain on the east coast over the next two weeks. Week one won't be a huge deal in terms of adjusting, but week two against the Bengals is huge.

It really is a wise and experienced decision of Shanahan to keep the team in the eastern time zone. He's acknowledging that excuses for the time change is not acceptable. By remaining on the east coast, he will have rendered that excuse invalid and ensure that his players will be 100% against the Bengals. It all starts with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday for the 49ers. A win is needed to start this season off right in search of the playoffs.