The San Francisco 49ers got the upset over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, surprising many in dominating fashion as they won 27-7 to start the season on a strong note.
Now, in Week 2, they’re seen as easily the biggest favorite on the slate as they take on the Miami Dolphins. San Francisco enters the weekend as 13.5-point favoritesafter starting the week as a 10.5-point favorite.
In the debut of new head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis, the Dolphins lost 27-13 to the Las Vegas Raiders
last weekend as they couldn’t get much going offensively, with De’Von Achane rushing for just 36 yards.
The 49ers will be returning from Australia and won’t get the coveted extra day of rest that the Rams are getting by playing Monday night. But there’s a significant level of confidence in San Francisco heading into Sunday.
Is this a letdown opportunity? Will the 49ers dominate again in Week 2? Here are three predictions for the 49ers against the Dolphins.
Kyle Shanahan has a vintage rushing game
In the early years of the Shanahan era, the 49ers loved to establish their run game, looking to hit that coveted 40-rush total as they dominated on the ground and at the line of scrimmage.
However, with Brock Purdy at the helm, San Francisco has had more confidence in its passing game at all levels of the field. That, paired with the 49ers’ issues rushing the ball last season, led to San Francisco relying more on Purdy and the passing game, which was both its strength (during the regular season) and its downfall (against the Seahawks defense).
We saw a much different look in Week 1, as the 49ers ran all over the Rams defensive line, going for 174 yards on 30 carries. Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey both had over 60 yards with great efficiency, while the 49ers were still humming in the pass game.
Now, they might be facing the worst defense in the NFL against a rebuilding Dolphins team. This seems like a perfect opportunity for a vintage Shanahan rushing game, especially with Black now being able to shoulder some of the load as well.
The 49ers could go for 200 yards on the ground. The Raiders went for 130 yards on the ground last weekend, as Ashton Jeanty went for over 100 yards, and I think San Francisco can do better with their quality offensive line.
Niners continue the turnovers
Early on, the 49ers have looked aggressive on defense with Raheem Morris. Their defensive front and linebackers were up to the task against Los Angeles’s front, but their cornerbacks were also playing aggressively against Los Angeles’s elite receivers.
That led to a forced fumble (by Fred Warner) and an interception (by Renardo Green), while the 49ers broke up four other passes. Miami’s group of skill position players is young and unproven. That’ll be a tall task against this San Francisco defense, and I think Morris will continue to be aggressive, which should create more opportunities for turnovers.
San Francisco was in the bottom six in takeaways per game last year. I think that their hot start to 2026 continues here in Week 2.
49ers cover the spread
For my game prediction of the week, after missing on the Rams last weekend, I’m taking the 49ers to cover the spread. San Francisco should be able to get explosives and sustain well on the ground, and I expect them to score 30 points in this one.
Miami’s offense with the quarterback run could give San Francisco problems, but the 49ers linebackers played so well last week that I think they can force the Dolphins into a ton of tougher third-down situations where Miami has to rely on its passing game.
Game script bodes well for San Francisco here, and the fact that it’s the home opener at Levi’s only adds to the intrigue for the 49ers. Give me the 49ers to win by at least two touchdowns (would’ve certainly taken the spread at 10.5), and start the season 2-0.
