Remember the 49ers’ “easy” schedule? It’s suddenly a lot more difficult

SANTA CLARA — Remember when training camp began and the 49ers were a star-studded team with high hopes and the NFL’s “easiest” schedule?

Fast forward to Week 7. Two of their biggest stars — linebacker Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle — played a little more than a quarter together and that’s how it will remain. Warner is out for the season with a broken and dislocated right ankle and Kittle is expected to return this week after missing five games on injured reserve with a hamstring strain.

Defensive end Nick Bosa was lost with a torn ACL on Sept. 21.

The 49ers are 4-2 but can’t run the ball effectively and quarterbacks Brock Purdy (turf toe) and Mac Jones (knee, oblique) are hobbling. They can’t rush the passer effectively and are in the midst of the longest streak in NFL history with 14 straight games without an interception dating back to last season.

They’re working running back Christian McCaffrey to the point of exhaustion.

And that piece of cake schedule?

Never mind.

As so often happens in the NFL, a team’s record the previous season isn’t always the best indicator of the season to come.

The 49ers’ 2025 schedule featured a lineup of teams that were 120-169 in 2024 — a winning percentage of .415 that ranked as the lowest in the NFL. It was the reward for a 6-11 season. Only four of their opponents made the playoffs.

Now it looks much different, and the last 11 games of the season would have been more of a gauntlet than a gimme even if Warner, Kittle, Bosa, Purdy, et al., were healthy and thriving.

The 49ers’ remaining opponents have a .476 winning percentage (30-33) and that figure includes a combined 2-10 record from Cleveland (Week 13) and Tennessee (Week 15).

The good news is the 49ers have swept their NFC West opponents in Seattle, Arizona and Los Angeles. The bad news is they have to play them again. How they fare in those games will go a long way in hopes of a 6-5 finish that would give them a 10-7 record and a potential playoff berth.

And if the 49ers make the playoffs with the roster as currently constructed, go ahead and make Kyle Shanahan the NFL Coach of the Year.

Here’s what remains in 2025, starting with the Atlanta Falcons visiting Levi’s Stadium Sunday night (5:20 p.m., NBC):

Sunday

vs. Atlanta (3-2): Two years ago it was McCaffrey. Last season it was Saquon Barkley. This year’s running back frontrunner for NFC Offensive Player of the Year is the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson. Robinson is averaging 5.8 yards per carry, on pace for 1,646 yards rushing and 1,149 receiving. Atlanta just beat Buffalo in every phase Monday night. At least the Falcons are coming west on short rest.

Oct. 26

at Houston (2-3): Former 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has the NFL’s top defense in terms of points allowed (12.2 points per game, no more than 20). Formidable pass rushers in Will Anderson (four sacks) and Danielle Hunter (three). Quarterback C.J. Stroud is completing 70.8 percent of his pass attempts.

Nov. 2

at N.Y. Giants (2-4): Looked like a soft touch until coach Brian Daboll gave up on Russell Wilson to save his job and switched to rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart and a run-pass option attack. Last game was a 33-17 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Edge rusher Brian Burns is tied for the NFL lead with seven sacks. The 49ers as a team have six. The Meadowlands has not been kind to the 49ers in terms of injuries.

Nov. 9

vs. L.A. Rams (4-2): You don’t think the Rams will be motivated to even the score after the 49ers’ miraculous 26-23 win at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 2? Quarterback Matthew Stafford is at the top of his game and the Los Angeles defensive front featuring Jared Verse and Byron Young is as good as it gets.

Nov. 16

at Arizona (2-4): The Cardinals have been masters of giving away games they are in position to win, with a 16-15 loss to the 49ers on Sept. 21 (Bosa’s last game) and a 22-21 defeat against Tennessee as prime giveaways. They could easily be 4-2.

Nov. 24

vs. Carolina (3-3): Surprise! No one expected to see the Panthers with a .500 record six games into the season. The Panthers will aim Rico Dowdle (472 yards), the NFL’s hottest back not named Bijan Robinson, into the heart of a Warner-less defense.

Nov. 30

at Cleveland (1-5): You wouldn’t think the Browns would be a problem, but there is still defensive end Myles Garrett to contend with and the Browns beat the 49ers in Cleveland in 2024 when they were not very good. Will Shadeur Sanders be the Browns’ quarterback by then?

Bye

Finally, it’s bye week — something the 49ers probably could have used a month prior.

Dec. 14

vs. Tennessee (1-5): The Titans dismissed coach Brian Callahan with Mike McCoy serving as interim coach. This is as close to a sure thing as remains on the schedule, even if No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward remains upright at quarterback.

Dec. 22

at Indianapolis (5-1): The NFL’s surprise team. Quarterback Daniel Jones, dumped by the Giants, is a living example of building a system around the skills of the quarterback. Jonathan Taylor leads a strong running game. The Colts are ranked No. 1 in scoring (32.3) and No. 4 in scoring defense (19.3). At least the shrimp cocktails at St. Elmo’s will be top-notch.

Dec. 28

vs. Chicago (3-2): If Jake Moody can hold off Cairo Santos, he’ll be back at Levi’s Stadium and kicking to a chorus of boos. Aside from that, the Bears are starting to show signs of life under former Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

TBD

vs. Seattle (4-2): A suitable bookend to the regular season with the 49ers winning the opener 17-13 in Seattle. The Seahawks hit the jackpot in parting with Geno Smith in favor of Sam Darnold and coach Mike Macdonald’s defenses typically give the 49ers fits. There’s every chance Seattle will have a shot at the division title.