4 predictions for 49ers 2026 schedule ahead of schedule release
Predictions for what the San Francisco 49ers 2026 schedule will look like, and what leaks are already out.
The NFL will officially announce the San Francisco 49ers 2026 schedule Thursday at 5:00pm Pacific Time. Before that release, we have some predictions for what the schedule will look like. We already have a couple of schedule announcements from the NFL, but that didn't stop us from squeezing in some predictions for the 49ers' schedule.
Here are four things we think are going to come up Thursday when the 49ers' entire 17-game regular season slate is announced: Maxed out in primetime It would be a stunner if the 49ers aren't scheduled for the maximum six primetime games when the schedule is released. Not only are they expected to be one of the best teams in the NFC, they have high-profile matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles , Denver Broncos , Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants , Las Vegas Raiders , Washington Commanders , Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. With primetime matchups already locked in vs.
the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams , four more primetime matchups with those teams or an NFC West foe should be easy to find. Our guess is the Chargers, Raiders, Commanders and Seattle Seahawks round out their primetime slate. An mid-season bye week The 49ers having a pair of international games makes them primed for a Week 8 or Week 9 bye.
They have long travel to and from Australia to start the year, but the Thursday night game vs. the Rams gives them additional time off before Week 2. An early bye wouldn't make a ton of sense, and making them go to Mexico City without a week off ahead of time seems cruel.