With the San Francisco 49ers 2011 schedule out, everyone is taking a look and circling important games. Upon further examination, there are some home match-ups that a Niners fan should make sure not to miss. Times are tough though, and tickets are expensive and sometimes hard to come by. But if you have the means and the time to do so, these are the 5 top games that I think you should try to make, in chronological order:
1) Week 1: Sunday September 11, 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:15 p.m.
Not only is it the 49ers season and home opener, it’s against the reigning NFC West champions. The hawks came out of the gate last season and smacked the Niners in the mouth up is Seattle, maybe the 49ers can return the favor this year.
2) Week 2: Sunday September 18, 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1:05 p.m.
Back-to-back terrific games at the ‘Stick to start the season with the ’Boys in town in week 2. Dallas will definitely want to get off to a better start than they did last season, winning only one out of their first nine games. Alwalys a great game when these historic franchises clash, can’t wait for this one.
3) Week 10: Sunday, November 13, 49ers vs. New York Giants, 1:15 p.m.
Whenever these two teams face each other, I can’t help but think of the epic playoff win the Niners pulled in 2002. Still ranks up there as one of the craziest games I’d ever seen. Maybe there’ll be some similar fireworks when they square off this season?
4) Week 11: Sunday November 20, 49ers vs. Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
These two franchises just flat out don’t like each other. It’s always a smash mouth game of football when they play; I mean, they broke Frank Gore’s hip last year for pete’s sake. Divisional games are always lots of fun, especially towards the end of the season. Don’t miss this one if you can make it.
5) Week 15: Monday December 19, 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 5:30 p.m.
The only Monday night game the Niners will have all season, and boy did they draw a doozy. The perennial playoff Steelers are always a tough win at home or on the road, and the Niners will need all the help they can get from their home field advantage. Get out there and cheer until you’re blue in the face for this match-up, I have a feeling this one will be important in the outcome of the 49ers season.