The San Francisco 49ers play both their first game in Levi’s Stadium and their first game in North America for 2026 in Week 2. The 49ers have returned from Australia, where they beat the Los Angeles Rams, and jet lag is always a question, but it seems like the team has adjusted for Sunday’s game. This will be an afternoon game with Kevin Kugler on play-by-play and Daryl Johnston providing color.
Week 1 could not have gone any better for the 49ers. They went to the aforementioned Australia game and
beat the Rams 27-7. It was a dominant 49ers performance and another great game for quarterback Brock Purdy. It wasn’t without some setbacks; wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling left the game and will be out for an extended period to have surgery, and tight end Jacob Tonges is out for the season. Besides those two, the 49ers are relatively healthy going into Week 2. Hopefully they can get through this game without any carts coming to the field.
The Dolphins aren’t positioned for anything grand in 2026. They’ve had a lot of churn in the offseason, some of the more notable moves being firing head coach Mike McDaniel and releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. In the head coach’s seat is Jeff Hafley, former defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. 49ers fans may remember Hafley as the team’s defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2018.
For quarterback, the Dolphins signed Malik Willis in the offseason. Week 1 was rough, with a 27-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Willis, in his first start as the Dolphins’ quarterback, went 15-of-27 for 220 yards passing, one rushing touchdown, an interception, a fumble, and took five sacks. The Dolphins’ rushing attack was equally disappointing, putting up just 74 yards total across 18 carries.
The Dolphins’ defense had a bit better day than the offense. While they recorded zero sacks, the secondary was decent, getting two interceptions and limiting Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins to 160 total yards passing.
The 49ers had a slight scare with kicker Eddie Pineiro not kicking due to an illness, but it’s been confirmed he will be playing. Running back Kaelon Black was also questionable, but it looks like he will be playing.
The Dolphins will be without EDGE Chop Robinson and inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison—both listed as out.
The 49ers are favored by nearly two touchdowns in this game. After what they showed us last week against the Rams, how they beat the Dolphins will be a discussion point rather than “if”. If the Dolphins can pull the upset or keep it within three points at the end of the game, that will not be a fun talking point on Monday.
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Kickoff: 01:25 PM PST, 4:25 PM EST
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Network: Fox
Play-by-Play: Kevin Kugler
Color Analyst: Daryl Johnston
Broadcast Map (Via 506sports): Blue is San Francisco. v Miami
SB Nation Affiliate: The Phinsider
Odds: 49ers -13.5 atFanDuel Sportsbook
Total: 45.5
