San Francisco 49ers 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

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86.6PFM Team Score1-0 Record

PFM Verdict

Why PFM Ranks the 49ers Here

Brock Purdy keeps San Francisco on schedule with anticipation throws and play action. The offense runs through Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, forcing defenses to account for the backfield before the ball is even thrown. San Francisco is not creating enough chunk plays, and age or injuries at the top of the roster could make every long drive heavier.

NFL Rank#4Current PFM ranking

NFC Rank#3Among NFC teams

QB Stability#7Brock Purdy · Franchise Locked In

Season OutlookSuper Bowl Contender

Head coachKyle Shanahan

Offensive coordinatorKlay Kubiak

Defensive coordinatorRaheem Morris

Offense85.2No. 9

Defense81.3No. 15

Coaching Direction84.7No. 8

Regular-Season Baseline

PFM Trend

Baseline September 8, 2026

Current stateBaseline set

San Francisco starts the regular season with a 86.6 PFM Team Score and the No. 4 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.

PFM Team Score86.6

Score movementStarts here

NFL RankNo. 4

Rank movementStarts here

See Latest NFL Ranking Changes

PFM Team DNA

San Francisco 49ers Team DNA

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PFM category scores · 0–100 scale

QB Stability85.7No. 7 in NFLStrength

Offense85.2No. 9 in NFLStrength

Explosiveness77.9No. 17 in NFLConcern

Roster Strength83.8No. 5 in NFLStrength

Franchise Direction75.5No. 17 in NFLConcern

Coaching Direction84.7No. 8 in NFLStrength

Defense81.3No. 15 in NFLWatch

Identity

Coaching Edge

San Francisco's identity starts with a wide-zone and play-action offense built around Christian McCaffrey, yards after the catch and Brock Purdy’s timing. George Kittle gives the offense another matchup piece.

Pressure Point

San Francisco's Defense Has to Finish Drives

Big-play production is something to watch for the 49ers. Who is the vertical threat on this team?

Week 1 matchup

AwaySF1-0

HomeLAR0-1

Pick the winner.

FINAL RESULTSan Francisco 49ersThis Call is settled.

PFM's CallLos Angeles Rams

Final ResultSan Francisco 49ers

PFM ROAD AHEAD

2026 San Francisco 49ers Remaining Strength of Schedule

San Francisco owns one of the tougher remaining roads in the league because Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 6 with an opponent average of 81.4 and 8 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs leaves little room for an off week.

Difficulty Rank#6No. 1 is toughest

Remaining Opponent Avg.81.4Average across opponents

Next 3 Avg.79.5Upcoming opponents

Top-10 Matchups8Games vs. current top 10

Away games left7

Top-10 road opponents3

Week 1

vs. Los Angeles Rams90.2 PFM · #2

Sep 10 · 8:35 pm

NeutralTop 10

Week 2

vs. Miami Dolphins75.1 PFM · #24

Sep 20 · 4:25 pm

HomeBottom 10

Week 3

vs. Arizona Cardinals73.3 PFM · #27

Sep 27 · 4:05 pm

HomeBottom 10

Toughest remaining opponent: Seattle Seahawks at 91.1 PFM.

See all 32 NFL strength of schedule rankings View San Francisco 49ers’ full schedule breakdown

PFM ReporterReportedSeptember 10, 2026

James Thompson Questionable Status Adds Concerns to Defensive Line

James Thompson Jr. is questionable for the opener with a hamstring injury after missing Tuesday's practice and returning on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday.

By itself, that is a depth-level issue. It matters more because San Francisco already lost Alfred Collins for the season and has been managing other front-seven injuries around a defense that sits below the offense in PFM's current profile.

By Justin Fuhr

Sources: 49ers Final Week 1 Injury Report: Alfred Collins Out, James Thompson Jr. Questionable · 2026 San Francisco 49ers Power Ranking and PFM Team Score

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia EaglesMatch distance: 1.77 rating points

Shared profile: Roster Strength and QB Stability.

San Francisco finds early-down control through the offensive line, while Philadelphia finds early-down control through the offensive line. The connection in QB Stability and Roster Strength is the support that keeps one missed block, injury or covered first read from ending the down. Philadelphia separates on defense, where the stronger blend of pressure and coverage is built around coverage and the defensive front.

Where they separate: Defense. Eagles hold the stronger current rating.

View Eagles dashboard Compare the teams

Division Pressure