The San Francisco 49ers 2026 regular-season schedule is officially here.
While the Niners did get a bit screwed over by the NFL by having two international games, they still have three games that figure to be incredibly consequential and could end up determining whether the team fails or succeeds this season.
Let’s take a look at the three games that seem like they could have the most riding on them this season.
Week 10 at the Dallas Cowboys
While the Dallas Cowboys have not been that much of a threat the last two seasons, going 7-10 in 2024 and 7-9-1 last season, that is still a game to circle on the calendar. It will be San Francisco’s ninth game of the season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Niners were something like 5-3 at that point.Â
It comes after their bye in Week 8 and is right before their Week 11 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, which will see them travel to Mexico City.
The game against Dallas could tell us if the 49ers are a real playoff contender or not. A playoff team should take care of that game easily. But a team that’s struggling or may not be strong enough for the playoffs may struggle in a game like that or even lose it.
The Niners have had Dallas’ number for a while now, and if they can continue that trend in Week 10, then they should feel good about their chances.
Week 12 hosting the Seattle Seahawks
The NFC West is going to be a tough division to win this season, but it’s not a coincidence the two times the 49ers have made the Super Bowl under head coach Kyle Shanahan, it has been when San Francisco was the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The only way the 49ers can do that is by taking care of business in the NFC West, so that game against the Seahawks is going to be pivotal. Obviously, the Week 5 matchup in Seattle means a ton, but the Niners must beat their dreaded rival at home.
That could be huge for tiebreakers, and if they at the very least split their two games with Seattle, they still have a chance.
Week 14 hosting the Los Angeles Rams
Yes, these rivalry games really do matter that much.
The Niners obviously face the Rams in Week 1 in Australia, and we’ve known that for some time. That game matters a ton, but really if the Niners can come out of that game fairly healthy and none of their players get bit by a spider while they are there, then it should be considered a win.
By Week 14, both teams will have established an identity and will have settled into the season. Like the game against the Seahawks, the 49ers simply have to take care of business at home against Los Angeles. If they can split their games against Seattle and Los Angeles, then that gives the Niners a chance to beat them in the rest of the schedule, which is a solid goal to have.
Every game matters, but these three could decide whether the Niners make a deep playoff run or if it will be another year of disappointment.Â
Add us as a preferred source on Google