As the league prepares for the release of the 2018 regular season schedule on Thursday, it's time to take an in-depth look at each of the San Francisco 49ers opponents this coming fall. We'll begin by taking a look at the 49ers home opponents and the impact of each team's offseason roster moves from Bleacher Report.
In addition to the 49ers reoccurring three divisional matchups, San Francisco will host the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.
You can find a breakdown of the 49ers road opponents here. With that, let's take a dive into the 49ers 2018 home schedule.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
2017 Record: 8-8
Recent Additions: Following the retirement of Carson Palmer, the Cardinals signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford. The Cardinals also signed former New York Giants tackle Justin Pugh and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler.
Last meeting against the 49ers: The 49ers fell to the Cardinals in a 20-10 home loss in Week 9 of 2017.
What are the experts saying?: "The approach under center isn't terrible, per se, as the Cardinals could draft a quarterback and hope Bradford's stellar completion rate follows him to the desert in the meantime. But it's a huge risk, especially as Larry Fitzgerald's Hall of Fame career comes to an end."
CHICAGO BEARS
2017 Record: 5-11
Recent Additions: The Bears added one of the most coveted free agent wide receivers in former Jacksonville Jaguars pass catcher Allen Robinson. Chicago also acquired former Atlanta Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel, former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton and former 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch.
Last meeting against the 49ers: It's hard to forget the Week 13, 15-14, road victory over the Bears in 2017. Jimmy Garoppolo led the 49ers to their second victory of the season in his first start with the club. That game also kicked off the 49ers five-game winning streak to end the season. Garoppolo threw for 293 yards and led the team on a 14-play, 86-yard drive that set up Robbie Gould for a game-winning field goal with four seconds left on the clock.
What are the experts saying: "Grabbing a top free-agent wideout like Robinson—someone who's key to a potential franchise passer's development, no less—as well as prioritizing premium positions on defense is exactly how a team should operate with a signal-caller locked up on a cheap rookie contract."
DENVER BRONCOS
2017 Record: 5-11
Recent Additions: The Broncos signed former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum, former Vikings cornerback Tramaine Brock and Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King this offseason.
Last meeting against the 49ers: The Broncos and 49ers last regular season meeting occurred in Week 6 of the 2014 season. San Francisco fell to Denver, 42-17.
What are the experts saying?: "A big free-agent splash isn't always the best answer, but this steady approach isn't matching the big expectations general manager John Elway raised heading into the offseason."
DETROIT LIONS
2017 Record: 9-7
Recent Additions: The Lions picked up former Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount in addition to former Bears linebacker Christian Jones and former Seahawks cornerback Deshawn Shead.
Last meeting against the 49ers: The 49ers and Lions last met in Week 16 of the 2015 season where Detroit defeated San Francisco, 32-17.
What are the experts saying?: "The new era of Detroit Lions football under head coach Matt Patricia has gotten off to a promising start."
LOS ANGELES RAMS
2017 Record: 11-5
Recent Additions: The Rams had one of the more active offseasons trading for cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, and signing former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and former New England Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks.
Last meeting against the 49ers: The 49ers traveled to Los Angeles for the final game of the 2017 season and pulled out a 34-13 blowout victory to end the year.
What are the experts saying?: "The Los Angeles Rams' oft-polarizing offseason is sure to come under scrutiny in future years."
OAKLAND RAIDERS
2017 Record: 6-10
Recent Additions: Under new head coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders added former Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin and former 49ers defensive lineman Tank Carradine.
Last meeting against the 49ers: The Raiders won the last battle of the Bay, 24-13, in Week 4 of the 2014 season at the Oakland Coliseum.
What are the experts saying?: "The Oakland Raiders are getting up in age this offseason under the watchful eye of new head coach Jon Gruden."
NEW YORK GIANTS
2017 Record: 3-13
Recent Additions: One of the biggest names in free agency landed with the Giants in former Patriots left tackle Nate Solder. They also added former Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart and former Jacksonville Jaguars guard Patrick Omameh.
Last meeting against the 49ers: C.J. Beathard led the 49ers to their first win of 2017 in a 31-21 victory over the Giants in Week 10.
What are the experts saying?: "The Giants entered the offseason needing to protect Eli Manning by any means necessary. To that end, the Giants won big with Nate Solder."
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2017 Record: 9-7
Recent Additions: After losing key players like Richard Sherman, Paul Richardson and Michael Bennett, the Seahawks added former Panthers tight end Ed Dickson, former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo and former Cardinals receiver Jaron Brown.
Last meeting against the 49ers: Seattle topped San Francisco, 24-13, in Week 12 of the 2017 season.
What are the experts saying?: "These additions have done very little to improve the poor protection in front of Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks have a first-round pick but don't select again until the fourth round. Whether the needle moves in a positive direction on the field based on the results so far is hard to say."
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