After eight long months, San Francisco 49ers football is finally back.

The team kicks off the 2015 regular season this week with a showdown against the Minnesota Vikings on "Monday Night Football."

The game marks the debut of the Jim Tomsula coaching era as he aims to lead a new-look 49ers roster back to the postseason following an 8-8 campaign a year ago.

To do so, San Francisco will have to navigate the third-toughest schedule in the NFL. Here, we offer our initial thoughts on each of the team's 16 matchups in 2015.

(Note: All times are PT)

Week 1: Monday, Sept. 14, vs. Minnesota, 7:20 p.m.

The obvious storyline is Adrian Peterson and NaVorro Bowman making their respective returns. Peterson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL's MVP in 2012, sat out all but one game last year due to legal issues. Meanwhile, Bowman missed all of 2014 recovering from a severe knee injury that he suffered in the 2013 NFC Championship game. Bowman looked like his old self in two standout preseason performances. This matchup is also the first "Monday Night Football" telecast at Levi's® Stadium. Winning in Week 1 will be crucial for the 49ers, as they face playoff teams from 2014 in five of their next six games.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

The Steelers open their season playing the defending-champion New England Patriots on Thursday. That means they will have a few extra days to prepare for the 49ers, who will be traveling cross-country on a short week. The good news? The Steelers will be without top rusher Le'Veon Bell and deep-threat wide receiver Martavis Bryant, both of whom are serving suspensions. This game will have signifcant meaning to Tomsula, a native of nearby Homestead, Pa. Many family members, including his parents, still live in the area.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Arizona, 1:05 p.m.