San Francisco 49ers 2015 NFL schedule: Dates, game times, strength of schedule and more

The San Francisco 49ers 2015 NFL schedule is here! Below is the full schedule, as well as assorted tidbits that provide some context to it. We'll put together an early prediction based on the schedule later, but for now here is the 2015 NFL schedule for the 49ers.

The 49ers open on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. It is an intriguing matchup. They follow that up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means they could miss Le'Veon Bell if his 3-game substance abuse suspension is upheld.  They follow that with their first divisional game at the Arizona Cardinals. The team gets five 10:00 a.m. starts, and also gets four prime time games. Their Thursday Night Football game comes in Week 7 at home against the Seattle Seahawks. All times listed are PT.

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings - Monday, September 14, 7:20 p.m. ESPN (MNF)
Week 2: @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 3: @ Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, September 27, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers - Sunday, October 4, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 5: @ New York Giants - Sunday, October 11, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, October 18, 1:25 p.m. CBS
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks - Thursday, October 22, 5:25 p.m. NFLN (TNF)
Week 8: @ St. Louis Rams - Sunday, November 1, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, November 8, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: @ Seattle Seahawks - Sunday, November 22, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, November 29, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears - Sunday, December December 6, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 14: @ Cleveland Browns - Sunday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday, December 20, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions - Sunday, December 27, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 17: vs. St. Louis Rams - Sunday, January 3, 1:25 p.m. FOX

Preseason schedule

Week 1: @ Houston Texans (August 13-17)
Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys (August 20-24)
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos - August 29, 6 p.m. PT
Week 4: vs. San Diego (September 3-4)

Over / under win total: 8.5

That's what Vegas has the 49ers at entering the 2015 season.

Strength of schedule: 3rd

Here is the full strength of schedule. This is based on how the 2014 season ended. Plenty changes from year-to-year due to free agency, the NFL Draft, and random changes. It's safe to say we can take this with a grain of salt.

All-time record vs. 2015 opponents

Rams: 64-63-3 (1-0)
Falcons: 45-29-1 (1-1)
Lions: 36-26-1 (1-1)
Bears: 29-30-1 (3-0)
Packers: 27-30-1 (3-4)
Cardinals: 29-18
Vikings: 18-21-1 (4-1)
Seahawks: 15-17 (0-1)
Giants: 15-15 (4-4)
Browns: 9-17 (0-1)
Steelers: 11-9
Bengals:  9-3 (2-0)
Ravens: 1-3 (0-1)

The NFL schedule is formulaic. We know 14 of the 16 opponents each year before it comes out. The 49ers will play the NFC West teams twice each year, which makes up six of the games. They will also play a rotating AFC and NFC division, which makes up eight more games. The 49ers will also play the teams in the other NFC divisions who finished in the same spot as them in the standings. Those final two games are determined at the end of each preceding season. With that in mind, here are the list of opponents the 49ers will face in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

2016 49ers schedule

Home: Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, NFC East, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks
Away: Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, NFC North, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

2017 49ers schedule

Home: Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, Titans, NFC South, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks
Away: Eagles, Washington, Texans, Colts, NFC North, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

2018 49ers schedule

Home: Bears, Lions, Broncos, Raiders, NFC East, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks
Away: Packers, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, NFC South Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks