49ers can start 2026 season with 3-0 record if they clear one simple hurdle originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Francisco 49ers came up short against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional round, but with all of the injuries the team was dealing with, it was impressive they even made it that far in the first place.
Now, for the 2026 NFL season, the 49ers are looking to return to the Super Bowl with a new-and-improved offense, along with the return of Dre Greenlaw on defense.
Starting strong would be a huge help, and fortunately for the 49ers, as ESPN’s Nick Wagoner predicts, they might not be far off from a hot start to the year.
“Despite the long trip to Australia, the 49ers will open the season 3-0,” Wagoner predicts. “Beating the Rams anywhere is a tall task…”
While the Rams aren’t an easy opponent, Wagoner is predicting the 49ers do that to begin the season. And for San Francisco, such a Week 1 outcome would almost certainly guarantee a 3-0 record.
Why 49ers are one hurdle from 3-0 record to begin 2026
The 49ers begin their season on the road in Melbourne, Australia. It’s a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams as well.
But, if the 49ers were to beat Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford to begin the season, which is very possible for what should be a fairly healthy 49ers team, they have a good chance to start the year 3-0.
The reason why? A friendly schedule after that Rams game gives the 49ers a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins and then the Arizona Cardinals, two teams expected to contend for the No. 1 overall pick, not a playoff spot.
MORE: Rams land major 2026 schedule advantage the 49ers wanted badly
Beat the Rams, and the 49ers, barring disaster, should start 3-0. A Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos is tough, and the Seattle Seahawks follow in Week 5.
Starting the year 3-0 would be huge for this 49ers team, as there’s a realistic chance that, if they lose that game, they start 2-3 with tough matchups against Denver and Seattle.
With an easy Week 2 and 3 scheduled against the Dolphins and Cardinals, the 49ers might be a Week 1 win over the Rams away from starting the year 3-0.
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