After having only one prime-time game during the 2017 NFL season, the 49ers will have five prime-time contests in the 2018 campaign.
Since finishing the 2017 season on a five-game winning streak, the 49ers are one of the most exciting, widely anticipated teams entering 2018. Among the most notable matchups is San Francisco’s Week 9 tilt against the Oakland Raiders for Thursday Night Football.
Here is the complete schedule, released at 5 p.m. Thursday.
WEEK 1: Sept. 9 at Minnesota Vikings — 10 am (FOX)
Jerick McKinnon returns home to Minnesota, where he spent all four years of his career primarily as a third-down back. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo squares off against Kirk Cousins in the battle of Kyle Shanahan’s coveted quarterbacks.
WEEK 2: Sept. 16 vs. Detroit Lions— 1:25 pm (FOX)
The 49ers have won nine of their past 10 matchups with the Lions, which will make their first appearance in Levi’s Stadium.
WEEK 3: Sept. 23 at Kansas City Chiefs — 10 am (FOX)
The last time these two franchises met was during the 2014 season. The 49ers edged out a 22-17 win.
WEEK 4: Sept. 30 at Los Angeles Chargers — 1:25 pm (FOX)
The 49ers visit the Chargers as both teams vie for an NFC West title.
WEEK 5: Oct. 7 vs. Arizona Cardinals — 1:25 pm (FOX)
The Cardinals have dominated this series, winning the past six matchups. But the 49ers have the clear edge, in a battle of franchises on opposite trajectories.
WEEK 6: Oct. 15 at Green Bay Packers — 5:20 pm (ESPN)
This is the first of San Francisco’s five prime-time matchups for the upcoming season. These two stories franchises will meet for the first time since the 2015 season, when the 49ers prevailed, 17-3. The upcoming matchup projects as more of a shootout.
WEEK 7: Oct. 21 vs. Los Angeles Rams — 5:20 pm (NBC)
The two most discussed NFC West teams square off in the first of two regular season matchups. How will Garoppolo and company fare against a stacked, revamped Rams defense?
WEEK 8: Oct. 28 at Arizona Cardinals — 1:25 pm (FOX)
The 49ers haven’t beaten the Cardinals in Arizona since the 2013 season.
WEEK 9: Nov. 1 vs. Oakland Raiders — 5:20 pm (NFL Network)
The 49ers and Raiders will play in Thursday Night Football’s prime-time slot at Levi’s Stadium. It will be the first time the Bay Area teams will meet in Levi’s Stadium since it was built after the 2013 season. The last time the 49ers hosted the Raiders resulted in a 17-9 San Francisco win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 17, 2010. This is the first matchup between the Bay Area squads since the Raiders beat the 49ers, 24-13, on Dec. 7, 2014.
WEEK 10: Nov. 12 vs. New York Giants — 5:20 pm (ESPN)
The 49ers play their second consecutive prime-time game of the 2018 season against a Giants team looking to rebound from a 3-13 campaign.
WEEK 12: Nov. 25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 10 am (FOX)
This is San Francisco’s only matchup with an NFC South team in 2018.
WEEK 13: Dec. 2 at Seattle Seahawks — 5:20 p.m. (NBC)
Richard Sherman storylines will surround the matchup, with this being the first time he has returned to the place he delivered seven brilliant seasons.
WEEK 14: Dec. 9 vs. Denver Broncos— 1:25 p.m. (CBS)
Garoppolo and the 49ers will test their offense against a traditionally stingy defense.
WEEK 15: Dec. 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks— 1:25 p.m. (FOX)
Russell Wilson has never lost in Santa Clara. Will this be the first?
WEEK 16: Dec. 23 vs. Chicago Bears— 1:05 p.m. (FOX)
Garoppolo’s first 49ers win came in Chicago, where they edged out the Bears to a 15-14 win.
WEEK 17: Dec. 30 at Los Angeles Rams— 1:25 p.m. (FOX)
This could very well be the matchup that decides the NFC West.