What is the Toughest Stretch of Games on the 49ers 2023 Schedule?

It could be as simple as facing three playoff opponents in a row or having a Thursday night game in the middle of a road trip.

The first takeaway from any team's schedule when it is released is typically the primetime games.

How many primetime games and against who is usually the first thing to point out. For the San Francisco 49ers, they once again received five. The next step is examining what the toughest stretch of games in the season will be. It could be as simple as facing three playoff opponents in a row or having a Thursday night game in the middle of a road trip. 

So, what is the toughest stretch of games on the 49ers 2023 schedule?

It has to be from Week 12 to Week 16. In that stretch, the 49ers face the Seahawks, Eagles, Seahawks again, Cardinals, and end with the Ravens. Minus the Cardinals, each of these opponents presents a challenging matchup for the 49ers. But this is where the schedule starts to kick in and increases the difficulty. 

The 49ers start their tough stretch in Seattle on Thursday Night Football, which happens to be on Thanksgiving Day. Beating the Seahawks on the road is always incredibly difficult for the 49ers. The Seahawks should be a more polished playoff team next year assuming Geno Smith doesn't drop off, but regardless, the Seahawks have always given the 49ers fits even when they are not a great team. This is a game that can take its toll on the 49ers because it's on a short week and one that they could lose. Then, they have to hit the road again to the east coast to face one of the best teams in the league in the Eagles. 

Getting those few extra days from playing on Thursday night are always a tossup on being helpful or not in terms of preparation. Since the players and coaches generally push back on playing on a short week, I am going to say it is more damaging than helpful. Perhaps the 49ers will be too locked into even care because facing the Eagles will create a ton of energy for them. Either way, they will also give the 49ers a difficult battle. Both teams will need a win over the other as playoff seeding starts to become clearer.

After the Eagles, the 49ers tidy up their second leg with the Seahawks at home. While it is always easier to face the Seahawks at home instead of on the road, the Seahawks are catching the 49ers off what will most likely be a taxing game. This is one the 49ers can easily lose because of that and coming off a such highly motivated game against the Eagles in their NFC Championship rematch on the road. Seattle could catch the 49ers slipping here and take a win. This three-game stretch alone is enough to prove strenuous for the 49ers.

It's probably why the NFL threw them a bone by easing it up with the Cardinals after the second Seattle game. The 49ers should be able to beat the Cardinals in this game and either pick themselves up after suffering defeat(s) or adding to their momentum of wins. Arizona is bound to pick in the top three of the draft next year. And yet, I can see the 49ers potentially losing this game by playing down to their opponent after facing two fierce opponents in the last three games. Weird losses like this always happen in the NFL. It happened to the 49ers last year versus the Bears, Broncos, and Falcons. 

Finally, the 49ers end this tough stretch at home for Christmas Day on Monday Night Football against the Ravens. Defending against Lamar Jackson and facing a typically strong Baltimore defense is going to be one that pushes the 49ers. This stretch of the schedule is a pressing one, especially when you consider that playoff seeding starts to play a heavier role. 

Did I get this one right? Or is there another tougher stretch on the schedule?