San Francisco 49ers Ready For NFC West Control

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San Francisco 49ers Ready For NFC West Control

Originally posted on Anubis Sports | By Orlando Fuller | Last updated Sep 16, 2026 3:10 PM ET

The season for the San Francisco 49ers kicked off in unfamiliar territory, having to play in Australia, yet with a familiar opponent in the Los Angeles Rams. This was a matchup many around the NFL had written off as an easy Rams win, yet the 49ers showed why they are Super Bowl contenders once again.

Time after time, they were able to overcome the odds against them, even when facing an early ankle injury to rookie De’Zhaun Stribbling. Taking out the high-powered offense and defense of Los Angeles is a positive sign for the future, but the constant battle with injuries will be a test for San Francisco as well.

Can The San Francisco 49ers Make A Run?

With an offseason filled with strategic free agent signings, the 49ers have been able to revamp both sides of the ball. A signing like Jack Jones to help in the secondary highlights their improvement on defense. Dre Greenlaw was brought back in free agency, and Nick Bosa returns after playing in only three games last season.

New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris holding the Rams to just seven points, despite their elite roster of offensive players, is an indication that the tide has changed for the better.

Offensively, the 49ers already find themselves battling a key injury in the receiver room. Stribbling went down with what is now being disclosed as an ankle injury. With no expected recovery timeline and options for surgery looming, San Francisco has lost its diamond in the rough.

Having playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Kaelon Black, and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans softens the blow. Getting the ball in their hands is imperative.

49ers Great Chance To Lead NFC West

San Francisco has a strong chance to lead their division throughout the season, and not just because of skill. Right off the bat, the Rams have lost their NFL sack leader in Myles Garrett, and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks need to start backup quarterback Drew Lock amid Sam Darnold’s week one injury.

There’s no question the 49ers are sitting pretty atop the division leaderboards after one week, and they can be expected to stay there for quite some time. Not battling any major injuries is the strongest attribute San Francisco currently has and one they look to keep going.

The NFC West is arguably one of the toughest divisions in all of the league. San Francisco’s ability to dominate it early will set the team up for whoever they face in the playoffs. Getting exposure to playoff atmosphere during the regular season will heighten their chances at handling business later in the year.

Though San Francisco has seemed primed for success in the past, and watched it all slip away, things are different now. The 2026 squad shows a determination that was missing in years past.

Putting a championship squad together in the off-season was just the start for the 49ers. Now they need to keep the team healthy, and they could be a better team than the 2024 unit that went to Super Bowl LVIII.

This article first appeared on Anubis Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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