Ranking the 49ers road games

With the announcement of the 2018 NFL schedule, it’s time to get your calendars out and decide where you might venture out to see the San Francisco 49ers play this season. There are quite a few great choices but as always, some are better than others. We give you a few reasons why you should choose certain venues and match ups, but feel free to add your own reasons in the comment section!

8. Arizona Cardinals 10/28 1:25 p.m. PT

While this division game has been more of a rivalry in the past, for the moment, it ranks the lowest of all of the road trips. While it could prove to be more competitive as we get closer to the scheduled date, it doesn’t have quite the luster of other match ups. On the plus side Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson are always a draw and a trip to the desert in late October is always pleasant. Maybe by the time Week 8 eight rolls around Sam Bradford has gotten into a rhythm and this game has more meaning? This usually ends up no worse than a “neutral field” game with 49ers fans showing up in droves.

7. Los Angeles Chargers 9/30 1:25 p.m. PT

This AFC West matchup is interesting because it will be the second time the 49ers will see the Chargers in as many months. If you head south to see this game, you will see Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon and Joey Bosa in a very intimate setting where the visitors often have had the home field crowd advantage. A visit to Los Angeles is entertaining, and I can give you plenty of food recommendations, but keep in mind that the 27,000 seat StubHub center is in Carson without too many attractions near it.

6. Kansas City Chiefs 9/23 10:00 a.m. PT

This AFC West matchup will feature a new starting quarterback for the opposing team. Patrick Mahomes has taken over for the departed Alex Smith while several other faces will be familiar, like Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. It’s early in the season so the weather should be favorable and you can’t go wrong with Kansas City BBQ.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11/25 10:00 a.m. PT

Florida in late November? I’m going to say yes. It should be an interesting match up as well with Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson facing the likes of Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon and Jimmie Ward.

4. Seattle Seahawks 12/2 5:20 p.m. PT

This game will be the first time Richard Sherman wears a 49ers uniform in his former home stadium. It will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to him as well as how he handles it from an emotional standpoint after going what he went through. Add in a primetime game on Sunday Night Football, and this should be a fun one. This game comes just two weeks after they meet for the first time at Levi’s Stadium, so no matter what, someone will be looking for revenge from the first match up. Seattle in December is likely brisk but the abundance of coffee shops will keep you warm and the fresh seafood alone is a reason to go.

3. Minnesota Vikings 9/9 10:00 a.m. PT

A game against the NFC runner up? This will be an early test for the 49ers with a ton of storylines built in. Kyle Shanahan will see his former quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Jerick McKinnon will see his former team. If that’s not enough to entice you, the stadium should. It’s gorgeous. The 49ers visited last year in the preseason and the weather was lovely and the people were very friendly. I highly recommend a visit.

2. Los Angeles Rams 12/30 1:25 p.m. PT

This again, is the final game of the regular season. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is worth a visit on it’s own when you consider all of the historic sports moments that have taken place inside it, and it is going through a multi-million dollar face lift that will be done by the beginning of the season. The Rams have beefed up their roster but Shanahan believes the 49ers have, too. This division rivalry has a whole new meaning.

1. Green Bay Packers 10/15 5:15 p.m. PT

If you can see your favorite team in a historic setting, you should take advantage of the opportunity. Lambeau field is one of those venues, not to mention Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo on Monday Night Football? That makes this the number one road trip of the season. Also the game is in mid October which means there will likely be tolerable temperatures for sitting in the stands at night.

Which games will you be heading out to?