San Francisco 49ers 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers (R) talks with general manager John Lynch during practice for Super Bowl LIV at the Greentree Practice Fields on the campus of the University of Miami on January 29, 2020 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 05: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass the ball during the NFC Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field on January 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. Home vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Pederson’s always-formidable club is one of only four teams in the league to reach the playoffs each of the past three seasons. The Philadelphia Eagles have followed up their Super Bowl LII win in 2017 with consecutive 9-7 showings, earning a wild card berth in ‘18 and the NFC East title this past year.

The 49ers will host the team from the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since 2014. When last these clubs squared off, the Eagles humbled Kyle Shanahan’s club, 33-10, at Philadelphia three years ago. Of course, that was the pre-Jimmy Garoppolo days in San Francisco as general manager John Lynch wound up swinging the deal with the Patriots the day after the lopsided loss to the Birds.

Philadelphia’s well-schooled offensive line will present a strong challenge to the likes of Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead and 2020 first-round pick Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina), who general manager John Lynch nabbed with the 14th overall selection last month.

Philadelphia also knows how to run the football and their ground attack rebounded from a rough ’18 to finish 11th in the league in rushing yards per contest. And keep in mind that coordinator Robert Saleh’s unit was ranked 17 in the NFL vs. the run.