Five Opponents That the 49ers Will Likely Play on Primetime in 2023

The NFL announced today that the 2023 schedule will be released on Thursday May 11 at 8 PM ET.

It is always a highly anticipated event as teams and fans get to see the tough and easiest stretches of their schedule. Ultimately, what makes it such a draw is the primetime games. It is always a matter of how many a team gets, which primetime game, and versus who?

Finding that mystery is always a pleasure. The San Francisco 49ers are sure to get the maximum allotted primetime matchups as they have for the last several years. All that is left is to figure out who and when.

Here are the five opponents that the 49ers will likely play on primetime in 2023.

Philadelphia Eagles

There is no greater guarantee of a primetime game in 2023 NFL regular season than the 49ers facing the Eagles. Viewers were robbed of a legitimate NFC championship matchup between the two stalwart teams when Brock Purdy injured his elbow on the opening drive that ended up sealing the victory for the Eagles. Purdy could not throw the football at all. If it wasn't for an injury to backup quarterback Josh Johnson, then he would have never returned to the game. Following the game, there was a lot of trash talking back and forth between the two teams. That made it's rounds throughout Super Bowl week, so there is an immense buildup and tension there.

It is only right the NFL places the 49ers and Eagles on primetime for the whole nation to get what was supposed to happen back in January. The 49ers will be the visitors for this game, so it makes it the perfect make up game. My prediction is that the NFL puts them in a Sunday night game in the first half of the season. I don't believe it will be the season opener in Week 1 on Thursday night since it is unclear with Purdy's availability. Putting Trey Lance in this situation dampens the same luster for this game and gives the 49ers a potential excuse for a loss.

Dallas Cowboys

This is another matchup that goes without saying. The 49ers and Cowboys are two of the best teams in the NFC with arguably the best brands in all of football. It makes perfect sense to put them in a primetime slot, especially after the last two seasons. The 49ers and Cowboys have rekindled their historic rivalry thanks to the playoff matchups between them.

It's been relatively a one-sided in favor of the 49ers, but last year's matchup in the divisional round was extremely close. There is no way the NFL is going to let two incredible teams slip through their primetime slots. It's too easy of a buildup given the history and where the two teams stand in the NFC in 2023. The 49ers play host to the Cowboys, so I would bet that this is also another Sunday Night Football matchup.

Seattle Seahawks

It wouldn't be a true regular season for the 49ers if they didn't face a divisional opponent on primetime. That team who is the likeliest to be is the Seahawks. The Rams have been holding that spot with the 49ers in the last several years, but they are in a rebuilding year. A matchup with them won't hold the same juice as in year's past, so I doubt they face each other in a primetime slot.

Seattle, on the other hand, is the only threatening team in the NFC. Add to the fact that they both faced each other in the Wild Card playoff round last year, and you have yourself a riveting matchup. The NFL can never go wrong with putting the 49ers and Seahawks in primetime, especially in a year where both are slated to be playoff contenders. I foresee these two teams duking it out on Monday Night Football in Seattle.

Cincinnati Bengals

The 49ers face the AFC North division this upcoming season, which means there is only one opponent that makes for a highly anticipated game. That opponent is none other than the Bengals. You could argue that the Ravens would be a sweet one as well, but that division is run by the Bengals just as the NFC West is run by the 49ers. Pitting two teams that are atop their division and are serious Super Bowl contenders is a no brainer primetime game to make.

Now, it isn't too common that an NFC and AFC team face off in primetime, but this is one the NFL cannot neglect. Cincinnati has to travel to Levi's Stadium for this game, which can make it a bit more of an even playing field since the Bengals might get more of a backing to win this game since they have Joe Burrow. Last year, the 49ers played host to the Chargers on Sunday Night Football, and that exactly where I think they will play the Bengals in 2023.

Minnesota Vikings/Arizona Cardinals

Facing the Vikings in primetime is one I can see happening and not happening. It happens because they are a playoff contending team who will be the favorites to win the NFC North. The 49ers would make for an excellent primetime game for them and one that I would guess would be on a Monday Night Football slot. However, it feels like the NFL could force the 49ers into another divisional game in primetime. And there is no way the 49ers are going to be excused from a Thursday Night Football game either. They always get those on their schedule.

That is why I can see the league forcing it here by having the 49ers take on the Cardinals on Thursday on the road. It is to make it an actual tough game for the 49ers against a lowly opponent in the same division. Really, it shouldn't take much brainpower to see that the Vikings is a significantly better draw. But the tendencies of the NFL would suggest that the 49ers are not going to escape a Thursday Night matchup. Squaring them off in a divisional matchup makes the most sense here.