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What the Toughest Game is for the 49ers in 2025
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) catches the ball over Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

There is no denying that the San Francisco 49ers have one of the easier schedules in the NFL.

However, that doesn't mean that they do not have a tough stretch that will challenge them. In that tough stretch is one specific game that will headline it.

Pro Football Network believes that the toughest game for the 49ers in 2025 resides in Week 6 on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here is their explanation.

"The 49ers will have to travel east to face the Buccaneers this regular season, a game that could prove more daunting once we have a sense of how the schedule looks around this cross country flight. In any event, this is an offense that moved on from Deebo Samuel this offseason and is relying on Brock Purdy to play his way into franchise quarterback money.

"The Bucs were the fourth highest scoring offense a season ago (our third rated offense per Offense+) and added to an impressive core with more talent during the draft. If the 49ers are going to bounce back, their offense is going to have to prove capable of competing in shootouts like this, especially on the road."

I semi-agree with Pro Football Network's point. What they failed to mention is that the 49ers are coming off a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.

It's always a tossup as to whether that is helpful or not. Having those extra day's of rest is great, but because the 49ers played two games in a compacted time, it taxes them.

The players have never been fond of Thursday Night Football, so I don't think that extra rest truly helps him. So, this makes facing the Buccaneers a little more difficult.

The only way the matchup with the Buccaneers isn't tough is if they falter on offense with their former offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In any case, the Buccaneers do stand as one of the toughest matchups on the 49ers' 2025 schedule for now.

This article first appeared on San Francisco 49ers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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