SANTA CLARA — This coming Sunday is the date most 49ers followers had circled on their calendar. The NFC West showdown in Seattle carries further weight in the constructing, too.
After all, there’s no higher barometer to measure up against than the defending Super Bowl champions. But overlook about the Seahawks. The Niners already know they belong.
Whether it performs out more like the 49ers’ last journey to Lumen Field (a beatdown in the divisional spherical), or the one before that (a thrilling Week 1 win), it shouldn’t alter what they only further proved with a grind-it-out Week 4 win over the Broncos:
The Niners are the most well-rounded — and well-coached — team in the NFL. The only factor standing between them and a February date at SoFi Stadium is their well being. And not even a prolonged damage report, or a 33-year-old’s damaged ribs, has been ready to deter them — not yet.
Despite their phenomenal begin to the season, San Francisco boasts the fifth-strongest odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams, Bills, Ravens, and Seahawks all have shorter odds.
That should not be the case.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) leaves the area following a sport against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Monday, October 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
49ers supply flexibility
Good soccer groups have a dependable system that can win video games on a common foundation. Great groups don’t want a blueprint. They adapt. They can win in any quantity of methods.
With a carload of receivers out, and Mike Evans still in ache, the 49ers didn’t want to experience Brock Purdy; they ran it down the Broncos’ throats. When their undermanned protection wilted the earlier week, Purdy turned in an MVP-worthy efficiency to pull out a shootout.
And when that unit is shut to full power, or at least when it has Nick Bosa, it confirmed that it’s succesful of shutting down a supposedly elite offense in their Week 1 spanking of the Rams.
Even while lacking their prime go rusher and a handful of other defensive linemen, the 49ers have been ready to generate strain, thanks to Raheem Morris’ artistic blitz packages.
Deebo Samuel was requested last week why the 49ers’ locker room has appeared more subdued than other groups after wins. “In the humblest way possible,” he said, “we’ve been here before.”
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) reacts after choosing up a first down against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Monday, October 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In other phrases, the 49ers have far loftier objectives in thoughts than a 4-0 begin to the common season. Rightfully so, given where they ended up the only other two instances they’ve won their first 4 video games in the Shanahan period — journeys to the Super Bowl in 2019 and 2023.
Their win over the Broncos, a team that also boasts an skilled head coach, a proficient roster and massive aspirations, underscored precisely why the 49ers are proper to believe in themselves.
Dre Greenlaw has seen it from both sides, and when his former team pulled within three factors halfway through in the fourth quarter, he knew which sideline he most well-liked to be on. And it wasn’t the team that had pulled off fourth-quarter comebacks the earlier two weeks.
“Their offense, it’s the fourth quarter and their quarterback can do some good things,” the linebacker said. “But I expected to win the game because it’s all about executing over and over and over again. And I think we have the upper hand on that one.”
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) scores a landing on a 56-yard go play against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Sunday, October 4, 2026. Getty Images
Are the 49ers outdated? You guess. Have they seemed like it? Better believe it.
By persistently enjoying smarter, more disciplined soccer than their opponents.
Against the Broncos, they were flagged for one penalty and didn’t give the ball away once. Their 17 penalties through 4 weeks are the second-fewest in the NFL, one more than the Colts. Turnovers? None for the previous 11 quarters, and one of 10 groups with two or fewer all season.
A protection that sacked the quarterback an NFL-best 68 instances last season never got to Purdy, persevering with yet another improvement with an encouraging monitor document. It was the fourth straight sport the 49ers have yet to enable a sack, last accomplished in 2005 by a Colts team that completed 14-2.
Nothing is assured in the NFL — these Colts didn’t even make it to the AFC Championship (though they made the Super Bowl a yr later) — but the 49ers are checking all the bins.
Brock Purdy (13) of the San Francisco 49ers throws a go against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium, Sunday, October 4, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. Getty Images
They aced the Australia check and all the follow-up exams. They’re one of three groups that stays undefeated. They don’t depart the Pacific time zone for another three weeks and have a bye week to recuperate on the backend. And they’ve got reinforcements on the method.
The defensive position could add Mykel Williams as quickly as this week, and Bosa someday after that. The receiving corps will ultimately resemble its form in coaching camp, with Christian Kirk doubtlessly opening his observe window this week and Demarcus Robinson and De’Zhaun Stribling also due back.
Christian McCaffrey touched the ball more last season than any player since 2014. The 49ers have only wanted him on the area for 66.3% of their offensive snaps so far.
Not to point out, normal supervisor John Lynch has hardly shied away from making splashes at the commerce deadline. And if there was ever a season to go all in, it’s this one.
For now, the 49ers are having fun with their 4-0 begin. They’ll quickly flip their focus to Seattle. But they shouldn’t fear too much about whether there’s still a zero in the loss column this time next week.
“It feels legendary,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “It feels great. It feels like we got a great test ahead of us in Seattle coming up. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
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