Yesterday afternoon, the NFL released their 2012 NFL Record & Fact Book for the media to enjoy. Matt Maiocco wrote about it yesterday, which reminded me that I had received it as well. In the Fact Book, the league provides a look at the scheduling formula as it impacts the 2013 season.
The league rotates the inter-conference division and intra-conference division. The 49ers will face a full slate of the AFC South and NFC South, which means a third straight season of 49ers-Saints. The 49ers will also face a team from the NFC North and NFC East, but those two teams will be determined based on the team in a comparable spot in the standings. So, if the 49ers win the NFC West, they'll face the NFC East and North division winners.
As it currently stands, here is a look at the 49ers opponents for the 2013 season:
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, NFC North, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
Road: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, NFC East, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
There are plenty of notable matchups on the home slate. Two of the more notable will see Andrew Luck makes his return to the Bay Area and Cam Newton square off in a "grudge" match with Alex Smith. Over/under on number of mentions of Alex Smith's comments from this offseason. Yes, it is a year from now, but I have to think it will come up.