Staying on the east coast will benefit the 49ers on Sunday

Kyle Shanahan chose to keep the 49ers on the east coast following their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is a decision that will greatly benefit the team on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals given the early start time.

It is never an easy task for a west coast team that has to travel all the way to the east coast. These athletes have a strict routine when it comes to their body with how they workout, eat, drink and sleep. Even the smallest change can impact how they feel. That includes a three hour swing from the pacific time zone to the eastern time zone. Adjusting to the time switch is the not as simple as some people would think.

Jet lag effects everyone, but for an athlete it takes its toll much more heavily. For the San Francisco 49ers who typically play around 1pm PST, unless it is a primetime game, playing on the east coast at 1pm is a 10am start for them. It is tough to get their bodies up and active for such an early start, which is why west coast teams typically lose when they travel across the country. It is the combination of the early start time and the long travel time.

It's not an easy adventure because it does get draining. So not only does the three hour switch make it tiring, but the travel as well. That's why it is such an intelligent and experienced move by Kyle Shanahan to keep the team on the east coast. The 49ers will not have to worry about being prepared and ready on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. They will be on the same level as them because they have been on the east coast for a week already.

In a way, the 49ers lucked out for their week one game in Tampa Bay because it was a 4:25pm start time. They have pretty much been warming up for the Bengals game this entire time. It just shows the foresight that Shanahan has. He is aware of the setbacks traveling to the east coast can have. By staying on the east coast, the 49ers will be on an equal playing field. There will be no excuses about body clocks or the need to adjust.

At this juncture, the 49ers could not afford such excuses despite it being a valid one. Shanahan needs all his players primed and ready to go. The Bengals aren't a tough opponent, though they are a much better team than the Buccaneers. This is a game that they should ultimately win, but it could have been one they lose if they hadn't stayed on the east coast. You could almost look at it as an advantage for the San Francisco 49ers.

East coast teams love to host west coast teams because they know they're not used to the time change. That advantage that the Bengals should have had is now out the window and received by the 49ers. San Francisco will be well conditioned since they have been playing in hot conditions. Cincinnati will not be anywhere near what it was in Tampa Bay, so Sunday's game will be the 49ers to lose. Starting out 2-0 this season will put them in a fantastic spot coming back home to Santa Clara to host the Pittsburgh Steelers.