The back end of the San Francisco 49ers' 2026 schedule might not be kind to them. The 49ers take on four playoff teams in their final seven games. In two of the other three games, they take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who should be much improved, and the New York Giants, who upgraded at head coach. Eric Williams of Fox Sports writes that the 49ers need a hot start or else they are going to be swimming in deep water in the back half of 2026.  The San Francisco 49ers need to stack wins early in 2026 The 49ers do get the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18. The hope is that the 49ers do not need that win either, but if they do need it, the Cardinals could certainly be focused on the NFL Draft by that stage of the season. So, there could be one win on the back end.…