When the San Francisco 49ers have been at their best, it’s because they dominated the NFC West. Despite a season full of injuries to their best players in 2026, the 49ers managed to go 4-2 in the division.
In 2024, when injuries really derailed the season, the Niners could only muster one win in the division. The two most successful seasons of this decade occurred consecutively, once Brock Purdy took over as a starter in 2022 and again in 2023. During the Super Bowl run, the 49ers only lost once in the division. During Purdy’s
rookie season, the team went 6-0 in the NFC West.
It’ll be a little different this season, with Week 1 at a neutral site that isn’t anywhere near California. Three of the first five games of the season are against NFC West opponents. The third game comes against the Seahawks in Seattle, a week after playing one of the best defenses in the NFL last season.
The second time you catch those teams is in the perceived gauntlet of the schedule, where they are sandwiched between a trip to New York and home games. Finally, ending the season against the Cardinals in what could be a meaningless game, depending on how the season plays out.
How many division wins will the 49ers finish with in 2026?
My answer: I predict the 49ers will sweep the Cardinals, will get swept by the Rams, and split with the Seahawks. So, three. I think they’re catching the Rams at a bad time in both spots. Could that end up being the difference between home-field advantage throughout the playoffs? Sure.
There are too many unknowns in Week 1, so I’ll go with the team with fewer newer pieces and players returning from injury. Then the next time against Sean McVay will come after a four-game stretch where the Niners will need to be on their A-game, and four days before their next opponent.
How many division wins do you think the 49ers will have?
