Later today, the NFL will release the 2012 regular season schedule, with the San Francisco 49ers likely featured in a season-opening tussle with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The game provides a stiff early challenge, but it also provides a chance to potentially take advantage of some early season yips and a chance to avoid the frozen tundra at Lambeau.
Before they get to that, the league has begun finalizing the preseason schedule. The 49ers released their official four-game schedule. The August 10th preseason opener means the training camp report date will be July 26.
Preseason Week |
Time (PST) |
Opponent |
Network |
Friday, August 10th |
6:00 p.m. |
vs. Minnesota |
CBS-5 |
Saturday, August 18th |
5:00 p.m. |
at Houston |
CBS-5 |
Sunday, August 26th |
1:00 p.m. |
at Denver |
FOX |
Thursday, August 30th |
7:05 p.m. |
vs. San Diego |
CBS-5 |
Week two and three will provide the 49ers defense with a solid test. They will get a Texans offense that should be back to full health on August 18. They will then get a crack at Peyton Manning and the new-look Denver Broncos offense on August 26. Week three is when teams generally roll their players out with the most playing time, so that should be a fun one.
It is interesting to note the 49ers preseason finale against the Chargers is only four days after their week three contest. It seems likely that we will a ton of playing time from backups in that game. It would be an amusing coincidence of sorts to see Scott Tolzien get extended playing time in that game, given that he sort of made a name for himself with the Chargers against the 49ers in last year's finale.