With two games remaining, the San Francisco 49ers (1-13) have once again clinched last place in the NFC West.
Though there are no real benefits to sealing last place early, knowing where they will finish has given the 49ers some clarity as to who they will be playing next season. As of today, 15 of San Francisco’s 16 opponents have been decided.
Most notably, and as pointed out by Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Niners will be making a trip to Soldier Field in Chicago to face the last place Bears for the third consecutive season. San Francisco will also play the NFC leading Dallas Cowboys again at home next season, as well as the rest of the strong NFC East, including Chip Kelly’s (assuming he’s still the coach) first trip to Philadelphia as a 49er.
The Niners will catch a bit of a break also playing the AFC South next season, arguably the worst division in football, which could include a reuniting with Frank Gore in Indianapolis. The only opponent yet to be decided is the last place team in the NFC South, with both the Saints and Panthers tied at 6-8.
Here’s what San Francisco’s opponents look like for 2017. Only four (Seattle, Houston, N.Y. Giants, Dallas) are currently slated to make the playoffs this year.
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Jacksonville, Tennessee, NFC South, Arizona, Los Angeles, Seattle
Away: Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Indianapolis, Washington, Arizona, Los Angeles, Seattle