4 predictions for 49ers 2026 schedule ahead of schedule release

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. A midseason week off should be in the cards for San Francisco with the timing of their pair of international contests.

Raiders on Thursday Night Football

They're no longer geographic rivals, but the 49ers and Raiders matchups still carry the weight of their long-time Bay Area rivalry. Not to mention the 49ers' "Faithful to the Bay" slogan is at best an indirect shot at the Raiders for abandoning the city of Oakland. This is a fun interconference matchup that is perfect for Thursday night because the Raiders won't have to travel far to get to Santa Clara. Short travel should be a requirement for short weeks.

Back-to-back on the East Coast

It's hard to imagine the NFL forcing the 49ers to play two international games, and also pushing them into two separate cross-country flights. San Francisco is due to visit the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. They generally try to avoid home games in September when the sun over Levi's Stadium is particularly brutal. A home game after going to Australia, followed by back-to-back road games in Atlanta and New York so they can stay on the East Coast and limit their cross-country travel would make a ton of sense.

More 49ers: 49ers 2026 schedule leaks and announcements tracker

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers 2026 schedule leaks and predictions