49ers drawing prime-time spotlight in 2010

By Bud L. Ellis

After going 8-8 and nearly reaching the playoffs last season, the San Francisco 49ers feel like they are on the road back to being a contender in the NFC.

The National Football League’s schedule-makers apparently have notice the strides made in the City by the Bay.

The NFL has released the game dates and times for the 2010 season, and the 49ers will play ¼ of their games in prime time this fall.

The season opens with three road games in San Francisco’s first four contests. It starts Sept. 12 at Seattle, followed by a Monday Night Football matchup on Sept. 20 against Super Bowl champion New Orleans. Two consecutive road games follow: at Kansas City and at Atlanta.

The first half closes with the 49ers home for three out of four: back-to-back home dates with the Eagles (on Sunday Night Football Oct. 10) and Raiders in weeks 5-6, and a home game with Denver in week 8, following a trip to Carolina in week 7.

The bye week comes at the season’s midpoint. The second half of the season begins with two consecutive home games, against St. Louis and against Tampa Bay. That sets up a tough closing stretch: four of San Francisco’s final six are away from home.

It starts with a Monday Night Football matchup at Arizona on Nov. 29. San Francisco goes to Green Bay the next week, then plays host to Seattle Dec. 12, then travels to San Diego for a Thursday Night Football meeting on Dec. 16 in week 15.

The final two games are at St. Louis and a home date against Arizona.

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 8:08 pm by bud

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, National Football League, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers