The Atlanta Falcons are headed into the 2026 season looking to compete in a very winnable NFC South division, and while an emphasis will be placed on games against those rivalries, they all count the same in the standings.

It's not a particularly difficult schedule for the Falcons compared to some others across football, but there are certainly some very tricky matchups for Kevin Stefanski and company in his first year in Atlanta.

With the exceedingly rare and unusual three straight primetime games early on before a home game against the Chicago Bears, things don't lighten up the following week in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers at home.

Last year, Atlanta faced San Francisco around the same time in the season and took a 20-10 loss in what proved to be one of Christian McCaffrey's best games of the season. Even without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, McCaffrey was able to put up more than 200 rushing and receiving yards on offense with both scores for his team.

Atlanta was in this game in the fourth quarter but ultimately not able to do enough on offense to keep up with McCaffrey. This year with a new coaching staff and the game at home, hopes are high that the Falcons can change their luck. The Falcons have not beat the 49ers since 2022, which was the last time they faced off before this past season.

This matchup though could represent a pivotal point in the schedule for both teams and gives Atlanta the chance to close their second month of the year on a very high note.

If he's healthy, Purdy should be back on the field and McCaffrey is not going anywhere, so the Falcons must prepare for the dynamic duo and avoid getting torched by the superstar running back this time around.

After being one of the most injured teams in football last year, San Francisco hopes it can get back on track this year and with a fully healthy year for their stars, they are absolutely strong enough to contend in the NFC. Like many other games, it's another measuring stick for Atlanta in this first year of a new era to compare where they are at to other NFC powers.

This is one fans should have circled on the calendar, and one to where a win could change the course of the season for the Falcons.