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Late last month, word started to leak that the NFL was going to release the 2013 schedule on Tuesday, April 16. That lined up with the normal release time in recent years. Now, that might not be the case. Pro Football Talk is reporting that NFL spokesman Greg Aiello informed them the schedule will not be coming out on Tuesday, but that it could be released in the next week or two.
I have to imagine the delay in getting the Ravens Thursday game figured out played some role in this potential delay. The Ravens and Orioles went back and forth before the Ravens finally accepted a road opener to start the season. I imagine the league was considering that possibility, but this hiccup might have played a part in this expected release delay.
Earlier this month, Jed York was asked about the schedule release:
"@giantfan09: @jedyork Jed when does the schedule get released?" @nfl will release the schedule later this month. Guessing before Apr 27
— Jed York (@JedYork) April 4, 2013
The NFL Draft is April 25 through 27. It seems like it would make more sense to either release the schedule this week, or wait until the week following the draft. Strictly from a publicity standpoint, the week of the draft will keep the league in the public's eye fairly easily. They might as well save the schedule for when things are quieter.
Here are the 49ers 2013 opponents:
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans,Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
Road: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars (London), Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
Here is the 49ers preseason schedule:
Week 1 (Aug. 8-11): vs. Broncos
Week 2 (Aug. 15-18): at Chiefs
Week 3, August 25: vs. Vikings (NBC)
Week 4 (Aug. 29-30): @ Chargers