Regardless of how the teams do this year, there figures to be plenty of hype nearly every week for the 49ers and Raiders.
NFC West rivals Arizona and Seattle kick off the 49ers’ schedule, with the Cardinals opening the season at Candlestick Park on Sept. 7. The Raiders, meanwhile, open the next day with a “Monday Night Football” appearance vs. Denver at McAfee Coliseum.
After that, former Serra High School star Tom Brady and the New England Patriots visit the Bay Area twice — Oct. 5 at Candlestick and Dec. 14 at the Coliseum. That latter game will be Randy Moss’ first vs. the Raiders since he was traded to the Patriots last year on draft weekend.
The Super Bowl champion New York Giants host the 49ers on Oct. 19, while Lincoln High School grad and ex-Niners assistant Mike Holmgren makes his swan-song appearance at Candlestick on Oct. 26.
New 49ers receiver Isaac Bruce will play his former team twice. The Niners host St. Louis on Nov. 16, then visit the Rams on Dec. 21 in the next-to-last regular-season game.
Bay Area fans will also get a double dose of former Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards and ex-Cal running back Marshawn Lynch as the Raiders visit Buffalo on Sept. 21 and the Bills host the Niners on Nov. 30.
Of course, the Niners also have the reunion game with Terrell Owens — appropriately enough at Texas Stadium, where they face Dallas on Nov. 23.
49ers schedule
PRESEASON
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 8-10 at Raiders TBA
Aug. 15-17 vs. Packers TBA
Aug. 21 at Bears 5 p.m.
<p>Aug. 28-29 vs. Chargers TBA
REGULAR SEASON
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 7 vs. Cardinals 1:15 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Seahawks 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Lions 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Saints 10 a.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Patriots 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 12 vs. Eagles 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Giants 10 a.m.
Oct. 26 vs. Seahawks 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 2 Bye
Nov. 10 at Cardinals 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 vs. Rams 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 23 at Cowboys 10 a.m.
Nov. 30 at Bills 10 a.m.
Dec. 7 vs. Jets 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 14 at Dolphins 10 a.m.
Dec. 21 at Rams 10 a.m.
Dec. 28 vs. Redskins 1:15 p.m.
Raiders schedule
PRESEASON
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 8-10 vs. 49ers TBA
Aug. 16 at Titans 5 p.m.
Aug. 22-24 vs. Cardinals TBA
Aug. 28-29 at Seahawks TBA
REGULAR SEASON
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 8 vs. Broncos 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Chiefs 10 a.m.
Sept. 21 at Bills 10 a.m.
Sept. 28 at Chargers 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 5 Bye
Oct. 12 at Saints 10 a.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Jets 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Ravens 10 a.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Falcons 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Panthers 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Dolphins 10 a.m.
Nov. 23 at Broncos 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 30 vs. Chiefs 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 4 at Chargers 5:15 p.m.
Dec. 14 vs. Patriots 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 21 vs. Texans 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 28 at Buccaneers 10 a.m.
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