The San Francisco 49ers will have an interesting preseason this year. Each game carries a backstory that helps raise the game from a mere meaningless preseason game. The 49ers preseason will have the team facing off again the Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and the San Diego Chargers.
The week 1 preseason game against the Oakland Raiders is a fan favorite. Bay Area fans love to see the San Francisco teams battling the Oakland teams, whether it be the 49ers vs the Raiders or the Giants vs the As. The cross-town rivarlies always sell out, even for exhibition games. Both teams are equally matched (equally sucky) so this should make for an exciting football game. Because of the close proximity of the two teams, fans from both teams should be well represented in the stands.
The week 2 preseason game has the 49ers visiting the Green Bay Packers. This could be our first glimpse at an Alex Smith - Aaron Rodgers matchup. Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers were both potential #1 draft picks in the 2005 NFL draft. The 49ers, with the first overall draft pick, were looking to select a quarterback. The 49ers picked Alex Smith, leaving Aaron Rodgers to sit in the green room for hours. Rodgers was eventually drafted by Green Bay at #22. How would the 49ers franchise have been if we had drafted Aaron Rodgers instead? Maybe Aaron Rodgers is still pissed at the 49ers, and will light up the scoreboard on us in the preseason game.
Game 3 of the preseason has the 49ers visiting Lance Briggs and the Chicago Bears. One of the top headlines in the NFL this offseason had been the NFL's punishment of the 49ers in an attempted contract tampering. The 49ers had spoken to Lance Briggs' agent regarding the availability of the lineman while he was still under contract with the Chicago Bears. This has caused the 49ers to lose a 5th round draft pick and swap picks with Chicago in the 3rd round. This preseason game will give a chance for the 49ers to lash out their anger on the Chicago Bears.
The fourth and final preseason game has the 49ers matching up against the San Diego Chargers. As the final preseason game, we should see plenty of snaps for the starters in this game. The Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship game last year, so they are one of the top teams in the entire league. This game will be pivotal in determining the 49ers chances of a winning season. If the 49ers can still be in the game late in the 4th quarter, then it will be a good year. If the 49ers play poorly, send in the rookies...for the rest of the year.
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