Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is in the books, as far as the NFC West is concerned. And just as everyone predicted, the Los Angeles Rams are alone in last place with a 0-1 record after getting routed by the San Francisco 49ers while every other team in the division won.
That includes the Arizona Cardinals, one of the worst teams in the NFL last year. Many expected a repeat of that in 2026, but they just had the biggest upset of Week 1 by taking down the Los Angeles Chargers on the road.
So, are the Cards legit, or is this just some weird Week 1 funny business that we all look back on and laugh at?
Probably the latter, but it could actually be a good thing the Cardinals had this Week 1 upset, especially since the Niners are scheduled to face them in Week 3 in Santa Clara. No matter what happens in Week 2, now San Francisco knows the Cardinals are dangerous and can't be taken for granted.
Cardinals may be legitimate NFC West threat to 49ers
The 49ers have enough veteran players, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has been around the block long enough to know there are no easy or automatic wins in the NFL. The Niners likely would've been prepared regardless, but if they needed any extra motivation to take the game seriously, Arizona provided it in ample measure.
Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love looked solid. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett played a clean game, and the offense has some legitimate threats at wide receiver in Michael Wilson, old friend Kendrick Bourne, and Marvin Harrison Jr., not to mention tight end Trey McBride, who is one of the best in the game.
Those younger teams in a state of rebuild like the Cardinals are dangerous to play, so even if they don't challenge for the division crown this season, they are probably going to play San Francisco tough the two times they meet each other on the schedule.
Of course, one could also argue it was just a fluke of a game. Last year, the Las Vegas Raiders beat the New England Patriots in Week 1, and the Raiders ended the year with a 3-14 record, while New England represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. Or what about back in 2022 when the 49ers lost to the Chicago Bears in a rain-soaked Week 1, only for the Bears to go 3-14 and San Francisco to make it to the NFC Championship game.
Weird stuff happens in Week 1, so the Cardinals win doesn't mean it is now a four-horse race in the division. But it's just a reminder that anything can happen, and the 49ers need to treat every game with the same focus and intensity they gave to Week 1.
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