The San Francisco 49ers got their schedule release last week, and it is littered with high-profile games from start to finish.
San Francisco has two international trips, their regular division schedule, and a number of playoff contenders on the schedule. That should make for a ton of entertaining matchups, similarly to what we saw last year.
There are many important games on the schedule (well, every game is important), but let’s rank what the five most exciting games could be for San Francisco this
year.
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams (Australia)
The 49ers get a primetime game in Australia to kick off the regular season. That’s exciting in itself. But a matchup with the Rams puts the cherry on top. These two teams have given us a ton of entertaining games over the year, and it’ll be important to start the year off on the right foot in the division.
The Rams are the current Super Bowl favorites, while the 49ers have the 10th-best odds, but both teams should be competing atop the NFC this year after quality offseasons.
After a stretch where the 49ers won nine of 10 games in the series between 2019 and 2023, the Rams have now taken four of the last five games between the two sides since then. So, let’s see if San Francisco can get back on track in a high-profile game to start the year.
Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos
This isn’t one of San Francisco’s five standalone games, but it might be one of, if not the toughest opponent, on the 49ers’ schedule this year. The Broncos had an excellent season last year, and would’ve had a great shot at the Super Bowl had quarterback Bo Nix not suffered an injury in the AFC Divisional Round.
They return a top-tier defense, while they’ve added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to their offense around Nix.
This one is another home game for the 49ers, adding to the excitement, and it comes at a very early point in the season. The 49ers get the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins in between the Rams and Broncos, so there’s a chance they’re 3-0 heading into Week 4. Of course, there’s also a similar chance they’re 2-1, and a loss here would be an early setback, as they face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
This will be a great early test for the 49ers, and should make for an entertaining game between two top playoff contenders.
Week 10: @ Dallas Cowboys
Who doesn’t like points?
The 49ers and Cowboys sport two of the best offenses in the NFL, and their defenses are still looking to improve, with both sides facing issues on that side of the ball last year.
Not to mention, San Francisco has gotten the better of Dallas in each of their last four matchups after the Cowboys had won six of the previous seven. And, there’s an added chip with the 49ers trading for Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa this offseason.
Both of these teams will look to make a push in 2026, and the midway point of the season will be a good reflection mark. This should be an exciting game.
Week 16: @ Kansas City Chiefs
It’s safe to say that Kansas City has had San Francisco’s numbers over the past decade. In the five matchups since 2016, the Chiefs have gone 5-0, winning four of them by double digits.
Now, Kansas City is coming off a rough season after Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury, but he’ll be back this year and looking to push for a Super Bowl once again.
This game comes late in the year, with both teams likely in the playoff picture, adding to the excitement and intensity of the game. Add in the chip of the 49ers struggling against Kansas City over the past decade, and this could be a contender for one of the best games of the year.
Week 17: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
A primetime game against the Eagles in Week 17? Sign me up.
Not only could this game have serious implications, but there’s been some bad blood and increased intensity between the two sides over the past few years. The 49ers have won three of the last four matchups, including in last year’s wildcard round in an upset.
If the 49ers are still in the divisional picture, this could be a huge game for them, similarly to how the Chicago Bears game was for the playoff race this past season.
