Two major events have taken place this week in the NFL world. The 2025 regular season was officially released, and the San Francisco 49ers locked up their quarterback, Brock Purdy, on a mega-deal.
NBC Sports, one of the first outlets to report on the long-term extension, announced the Niners inked the face of their franchise on a deal worth five years and $265 million.
With their opponents going a combined 151-138 last year, San Francisco having the easiest strength of schedule this season, there is a particular stretch of games that will provide Purdy and the rest of his teammates with their biggest challenge.
October will challenge Brock Purdy and the 49ers the most
The offseason saw several offensive weapons for San Francisco leave the Bay Area. Running backs Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell left, leaving just Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also sent packing in a deal that saw him go to the Washington Commanders.
The Niners benefit from many of the perks in the schedule, though. Since they finished fourth in the NFC West last season, they will face the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, who also finished last in their respective divisions.
In addition, the 49ers will play all four teams in the AFC South. Of those four teams, only one finished with a winning record, the Houston Texans. San Francisco plays just three teams that made the playoffs last year; Houston is one of those three.
Purdy and Co. have three road games in the month of October, though, and all of them are against those three playoff teams. The Los Angeles Rams host the Niners in another Thursday game during Week 5 after sweeping San Francisco last season.
Against the Rams in 2024, Purdy had two completely different stat lines. In the first game against Los Angeles, he went 22-of-30 with 292 passing yards and three touchdowns. But in the second meeting, Purdy struggled, going 14-of-31 on just 142 yards throwing with no touchdowns but one interception.
Then, Purdy travels across the country after a 10-day off period to Florida, where the 49ers will play the defending NFC South champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the third-year hurler recording more than 350 yards throwing and a pair of touchdowns, San Francisco was fortunate to escape the Week 10 matchup with a three-point win following the bye week.
In Week 7, the 49ers have their only home game in October against the Atlanta Falcons. Many believe Atlanta could challenge the Bucs in the NFC South. However, the Falcons are still the only non-playoff team from last year that the 49ers will face that month.
To end October, a Week 8 game pits the Niners on the road against the Texans. That will make the third opponent of four that was a division winner in 2024.
Thus, why month of October offers Purdy and the rest of head coach Kyle Shanahan's roster a brutal stretch this season.
No other game stretch offers competition this stiff for Purdy and his Niners. Playing against teams of this caliber will prove if the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant is the man worth $265 million this year.
If he doesn't have a strong October, his team could fall early in the first half of the season.
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