49ers 2008 Schedule

From the Press Democrat

49ers' 2008 schedule
(All times are Pacific)
Sunday, Sept. 7, vs. Cardinals. 1:15 p.m. (Fox): Bryant Johnson, who was the No. 3 man in Arizona behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, has a chance to be the featured wideout with his new team. For the third year in a row, the 49ers open the season against the Cardinals.

Sunday, Sept. 14, at Seahawks, 1:05 p.m. (Fox): It was the win in Seattle late in the 2006 season that stands as the highlight of the Mike Nolan/Alex Smith era with the 49ers. They might need another one in '08 to get another chance in '09.

Sunday, Sept. 21, Vs. Lions, 1:05 p.m. (Fox): New offensive coordinator Mike Martz was available to the 49ers after he was fired. Let's see if he was correct when he said the 49ers' talent is much better than he inherited in Detroit.

Sunday, Sept. 28, At Saints, 10 a.m. (Fox): The old NFC West broke up after the 2001 season. Still, the way the schedule has fallen, this will be the 49ers' fourth trip to New Orleans in seven seasons. The 49ers have not beaten the Saints in four matchups since they're no longer division foes.

Sunday, Oct. 5, Vs. Patriots, 1:15 p.m. (CBS): Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli will be hammered with questions all week about how they let Joe Staley get away. And all they got out of it was a No. 7 overall draft pick.

Sunday, Oct. 12, Vs. Eagles, 1:15 p.m. (Fox): This is certainly a big season in Philadelphia, where Donovan McNabb is looking to bounce back strong from an 8-8 season. Second-year quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted last year to eventually take over.

Sunday, Oct. 19, At Giants, 10 a.m. (CBS): Alex Smith was asked recently whether Eli Manning's quick turnaround from "bust" to Super Bowl hero serves as inspiration. "I guess you just realize what a short memory this game has and that's the exciting thing, as long as you've got the year ahead of you, that's such a great opportunity," Smith said. "If you look at Eli two years ago and what was being said and what was going on there in New York, and if you look at it now, a lot has changed in that time. That's the exciting thing about this game, you have a chance to do that and erase last year."

Sunday, Oct. 26, Vs. Seahawks, 1:15 p.m. (CBS): It'll probably be the last visit to San Francisco as a member of the Seahawks for Mike Holmgren, as Jim Mora set to take over as head coach in 2009. Holmgren-to-49ers speculation will be unbridled this week.

Sunday, Nov. 2, BYE WEEK

Monday, Nov. 10, at Cardinals, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN): What? A Monday night game? Against the Cardinals? This is the second year in a row the 49ers have played against the Cardinals on Monday night. It worked out pretty well for the 49ers last season.

Sunday, Nov. 16, Vs. Rams, 1:05 p.m. (#-Fox): No matter what turns are in store for this season, we all can agree this is the most winnable game on the schedule. Too bad for the 49ers it comes on a short week.

Sunday, Nov. 23, At Cowboys, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Ah, another reunion with Terrell Owens. It's probably a good thing few players on this team were around when he was with the 49ers. This will be the 49ers' final trip to Texas Stadium, as the Cowboys are scheduled to move into their new stadium in 2009.

Sunday, Nov. 30, At Bills, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): They're serving Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar, the place that invented the delicacy. Any idea what the weather's like in Buffalo this time of year?

Sunday, Dec. 7, Vs. Jets, 1:05 p.m. (#-CBS): The Jets are coming off a 4-12 season. Who will be their quarterback at this stage in the season, Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens . . . or Matt Ryan?

Sunday, Dec. 14, At Dolphins, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Niners make their first trip to Miami since 1995. In that game, Elvis Grbac, subbing for an injured Steve Young, leads team to a 44-20 victory in a Monday night game. I can't think of any other NFL city I'd rather visit in mid-December.

Sunday, Dec. 21, At Rams, 10 a.m. (#-Fox): Cheers of "Bruuuuuuuuuce" will unquestionably greet the 49ers' receiver, as he is still one of the more popular football players in town.

Sunday, Dec. 28, Vs. Redskins, 1:15 p.m. (#-Fox): Former 49ers defensive end Andre Carter plays against his former teammates for the first time. Carter, by the way, is the only 49ers player since 2000 to record at least 10 sacks in a season. He did that in 2002 when he piled up 12.5 sacks. Will the 49ers have finally found a pass-rusher this season?
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