With the 2026 NFL schedule set to be released on Thursday, some are predicting the 49ers will once again be part of the Thanksgiving triple-header.
The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions are annual Thanksgiving hosts. While the Lions are not scheduled to face the 49ers this season, the Cowboys are set to host San Francisco, making a 49ers-Cowboys showdown a strong possibility.
Mike Phillips of FanSided predicts the 49ers will travel to Dallas for the marquee afternoon matchup.
Update: The Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day opponent was announced after this article was first published. They will host the Philadelphia Eagles, so you can remove that potential matchup from consideration.
"The 4:30 pm ET slot is a marquee window and should have the highest ratings of the day with Dallas," Phillips wrote. "The NFL will likely want to save the Cowboys' divisional foes for more featured windows, so we'll lock in the 49ers for a massive clash among potential NFC playoff teams."
John Breech of CBS Sports also believes the 49ers will land on Thanksgiving, although he projects them to appear in the late prime-time NBC matchup, which can feature any teams.
Breech predicts the late-night game could feature either the Denver Broncos at the 49ers or the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Over the past 10 years, the prime-time Thanksgiving game has featured at least one playoff team from the prior season, so it seems like a lock that we'll see at least one 2025 playoff team in this slot, and possibly two," Breech wrote. "The Broncos haven't played on Thanksgiving since 2009, so this would end their drought.
"Not to mention, Kyle Shanahan served as a Broncos ball boy when he was younger, so you have a perfect connection for a Thanksgiving night game."
The speculation surrounding the holiday matchups will end on Thursday with the official schedule release.
What do you think about the 49ers potentially playing on Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Two 49ers players fined for actions during loss to Falcons
According to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, the NFL has fined two San Francisco 49ers players for actions during the team's Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Running back Jordan James was fined $6,194 for unnecessary roughness involving the use of his helmet, while... -
Key 49ers stats and notes from 29-20 Week 7 loss to Falcons
The San Francisco 49ers fell to 6-1 after a 29-20 Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Below are several statistics and notes from Sunday's game, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff. QB Brock Purdy QB Brock... -
49ers get positive injury update on Christian McCaffrey after loss to Falcons
The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the 2026 season on Sunday, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons on the road and dropping to 6-1. However, there was some positive news following the Week 7 loss, as the 49ers appeared to avoid any significant new... -
49ers may discuss kicker situation after struggles
Saying kicker Eddy Piñeiro is struggling in his second season with the San Francisco 49ers would be an understatement. Entering Week 7's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the veteran had already missed three field goals and three extra points. Piñeiro missed...