The San Francisco 49ers have had a wonderful start to the 2011 NFL season, jumping out to an 8-1 record while building up a seven-game winning streak. That streak might not end anytime soon, based on an ESPN report stating that the 49ers have the third-easiest remaining schedule of all NFL teams.
The report shows that the combined winning percentage of San Francisco's remaining opponents is .406. The 49ers have five games left against struggling NFC West division rivals (two games against the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, two games against the 2-7 St. Louis Rams and one game against the 3-6 Seattle Seahawks). San Francisco also plays two games against top AFC North teams Pittsburgh (7-3) and Baltimore (6-3).
Add it all up and the 49ers have a good chance of continuing their winning ways through the end of the regular season. With only two games left against teams with winning records, San Francisco has a chance to clinch the NFC West while jockeying for playoff positioning. The undefeated Packers currently lead the NFC and should be favorites to retain the NFC's top seed, but the 49ers have the talent and schedule to keep the race interesting in the coming weeks.