San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy (13) - Terrell Lloyd/San Francisco 49ers
While awaiting extensions and living through rumors, it is important to take a step back and look at the top 2024 San Francisco 49ers games of the season. Some of these may be up for debate, as there is a lot to look forward to, some games stand out more than others. Here is a look at the top 2024 San Francisco 49ers matchups to watch this year.
Top 2024 San Francisco 49ers Games
The order of the top 2024 San Francisco 49ers matchups this year is irrelevant. It is just the top three games to mark on your calendar whether you are a Niners fan or just a football fan.
49ers Vs. Chiefs
First up on this list is the Super Bowl rematch. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20th which is week seven of the season. The Chiefs seem like the 49ers kryptonite, and this could be a big game for both teams. This will be a home game for the 49ers.
Even in the regular season, the 49ers have not been able to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in a long time. The two teams last faced each other in the 2022 regular season, and while it started close, the Chiefs ran way in that game. It is week ten of the season when these two will face, which will give a good idea of their strengths by then. Of course, last year the Chiefs struggled more than expected in the regular season, and the 49ers found themselves in a three-game losing streak at this point last year. With those struggles, both teams found themselves in the Super Bowl. It may not be a game of high stakes, but it is definitely going to be a competitive matchup to watch.
When facing the Chiefs, the 49ers have a 7-9 record in the regular season, according to 49ers Webzone. In the Shanahan era, the 49ers are 0-4, including the postseason. The 49ers will be looking to end this losing streak against the team that has defeated them in the Super Bowl twice now.
49ers Vs. Lions
Next up is a rematch of the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers made a huge comeback to move on to the Super Bowl, defeating the Detroit Lions. The 49ers will face the Lions on December 30th, which is week 17 of the season. It will also be a home game for the 49ers.
No matter when this game takes place, it will be a fun matchup. The fact that it is in week 17 makes it not just fun, but it will more than likely be a significant game. This is the second to last game of the regular season. This matchup could have seeding implications for both teams and others in the NFC as well. This will be a high-stakes matchup to watch this year.
The all-time record for the 49ers when they face the Lions is 40-28-1 in the regular season, according to 49ers Webzone. In the Shanahan era, the 49ers are 3-0, including the postseason.
49ers Vs. Jets
The final game on this list of the top 2024 San Francisco 49ers games this year is the first game of the season. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Jets on September 9th. This is the first game of the season for these teams, Monday Night Football, and the home opener for San Francisco. Last year, the Jets had their first game of the season on Monday night, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. This year, the Jets hope to keep their quarterback healthy and have high hopes for him. While the Jets will enter their season attempting to make up for last year, the 49ers will want to open up with a win given how last year ended.
It is always important to note that San Francisco did pass on Rodgers in the 2005 NFL Draft. While that was almost 20 years ago now, there is always a sense of tension when the quarterback faces the team that was expected to draft him. 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan will also be facing his former defensive coordinator, now the head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh. This will be the first time these two teams will face each other with Saleh coaching for New York.
These two teams have not faced each other since the 2020 season. It is safe to say a lot has changed for both of these teams. The 49ers when facing the Jets have an 11-3 record in the regular season, according to 49ers Webzone. The 49ers have only faced the Jets one time since Shanahan became the head coach. That was the 2020 game where the 49ers won, 31-13.
Honorable Mentions
There are a ton of big games to watch this year, and many people may feel this list does not reflect their opinions. San Francisco will face both the Bills and the Dolphins in December. While they may not be NFC teams, those are two potentially tough opponents. The Bills did lose key players, but they may surprise the league. The intriguing part of those matchups is that they are also both in December when seeding and playoffs begin to form. The San Francisco 49ers will also face the Los Angeles Rams in week 15, which could have major NFC West implications, and could possibly affect the seeding for the entire NFC.
This season there will be some tough opponents for the 49ers. This is setting up to be a season full of big games. As the most recent team representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, there will be a target on the 49ers’ back. For now, all fans can do is be excited for the next season.
