While the San Francisco 49ers are focused on the 2012 NFL Playoffs and the prospects of winning their sixth Super Bowl, they do know the teams they will be facing next season. And if San Francisco does end up bowing out early, they'll have a good indication of what they'll have to deal with.
Now that they've finished in first place in the NFC West, the 49ers will have to deal with one of the toughest road schedules in all of football. It will certainly not be the same as beating mediocre Philadelphia and Washington or even conquering bad Cincinnati. The Niners will have some tough tests ahead next year away from the Stick.
at Green Bay. The trip to Lambeau is never an easy one, as Aaron Rodgers tends to be close to unbeatable these days at home.
at New Orleans. The Superdome might be the best home-field advantage in the NFL, and San Francisco should feel fortunate they don't have to deal with it this year.
at New England. Tom Brady, Drew Brees AND Rodgers. How nice of the Niners to draw all three NFL MVP candidates next season on the road.
at New York Jets. This is supposed to be the EASY game for the 49ers. New York isn't terribly easy to beat at home, not with that Rex Ryan defense.
at Minnesota. Could be the easiest game if Adrian Peterson is out for an extended period of time.
San Francisco will face Chicago and Detroit at home, along with Buffalo, Miami and the Giants. This is a seriously potent schedule, so the Niners will have to be resilient if they expect to replicate this season's results.
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