Every year, the NFL schedule is determined using a simple formula.
And usually, it’s fairly set by the time we get to Week 17.
Not so, for the 2019 San Francisco 49ers. With the NFC West crown still within grasp for both the Seahawks and the 49ers (who could still finish with the NFC’s 1 seed, 5 seed, or even 6 seed), two of the Niners’ 2020 opponents are still undetermined.
Here’s what we do know:
1) The 49ers will play six home and away games against its three division opponents (Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks) as they always do
2) They’ll also play four games against teams from another division within their conference as part of the rotating three-year cycle (it’s the NFC East next year, so Eagles, Cowboys, Redskins, Giants)
3) They’ll also play four games against teams from a division in the other conference as part of the rotating four-year cycle (it’s the AFC East in 2020, so Patriots, Bills, Jets, Dolphins)
And then there’s the matter of the final two games, both within their conference and based on the prior year’s standings.