If it feels like 49ers games are coming down to the wire week after week, it’s because they are.
For the third consecutive week to open the 2025 NFL season, San Francisco has escaped with a one-score victory.
When San Francisco’s Eddy Piñeiro drilled the 35-yard attempt as time expired to lift the 49ers to a 16-15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, it became the first time in 49ers franchise history that the team won three straight games by seven points or less to open a season, according to Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.
#49ers open season with 3 straight wins by one score for first time in franchise history
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) September 21, 2025
It was, however, the first time this season that San Francisco clinched a victory with the ball in its own hands.
In Week 1, Nick Bosa clinched the win over the Seattle Seahawks with a strip-sack. In Week 2, the 49ers’ defense forced a turnover on downs against the New Orleans Saints with just a minute left to start the season 2-0.
Sunday’s home opener was another story for San Francisco, as backup quarterback Mac Jones — who was filling in for injured starter Brock Purdy — led a flawless drive from the 49ers’ own 20-yard line all the way into the red zone. Piñeiro’s third field goal of the game capped off the comeback victory to give San Francisco its first 3-0 start to a season since 2023.
Close games, no sweat — especially for two unlikely heroes leading the 49ers to the top of the NFC West.
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