The San Francisco 49ers stand alone in the National Football League after three weeks of the 2026 season as the only team yet to allow a sack, protecting quarterback Brock Purdy through a flawless start to the year. Records show that San Francisco is just the fourth squad since 1990 to keep its quarterback completely upright through the first three games of a calendar, reaching a 3-0 record with victories over the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals.
Zero Sacks Allowed Through Three Games
San Francisco opened its campaign with a 27-7 victory against the Rams, followed by a 35-13 win over the Dolphins and a narrow 36-30 triumph against the Cardinals. This stretch marks the first time in franchise history—dating back to 1982, when the NFL officially began tracking sacks—that the team has not allowed a single quarterback takedown in the first three games of a season. Before 1982, defensive plays behind the line of scrimmage were tracked generically as “yards lost by pass” without individual player credit, a category later named after Hall of Fame defensive lineman Deacon Jones in the 1960s.
Elite Company in NFL History
Protecting a quarterback across the first three games without a single sack is a rare feat in professional football. The 49ers joined a select group of only four squads across three franchises to achieve the milestone over the last 36 seasons. The Indianapolis Colts first accomplished the feat in 1999 and repeated it in 2005 under quarterback Peyton Manning, before the Cincinnati Bengals matched the milestone in 2014 protecting Andy Dalton.
Brock Purdy Leads Historic Offensive Rhythm
The protection has fueled a historic offensive rhythm for Brock Purdy. Purdy completed 20 of 22 passes for 287 yard and two touchdowns in the win over Miami, helping the 49ers score touchdowns on their first five offensive possessions for the first time in at least 45 years. Purdy completed the 10 passes he launched of at least 10 yards downfield for 211 yards and a touchdown, according to NextGen Stats. Head coach Kyle Shanahan described Purdy’s performance as nearly immaculate following the game. Running back Christian McCaffrey added that the quarterback’s timing and decision-making make the offense feel secure whenever he commands the huddle.
The Line Protecting the Streak
Maintaining the zero-sack record rests heavily on an experienced offensive line. The unit is anchored by left tackle Trent Williams, joined on the opposite side by Colton McKivitz, guards Connor Colby and Dominick Puni, and center Jake Brendel. Williams noted that Purdy is operating at a high level and commanding respect across the league through his poise and execution.
Upcoming Test Against Denver
The streak faces a severe test when the 49ers host the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium. The Broncos enter the matchup with eight sacks on the season, carrying momentum from a 2025 campaign where they led the league with 68 total sacks. Kickoff details and roster updates for Sunday’s game remain anchored to official league reporting.
Miami Controls Possession as Niners Lose Receivers
During the victory over Miami, the Dolphins tallied 20 carries for 84 yards in the first half alone, assisting Miami in controlling possession and limiting the time San Francisco’s offense spent on the field. Meanwhile, roster depth took further hits as the Niners lost another wide receiver when Demarcus Robinson sustained a high ankle sprain. This setback adds to prior personnel losses, including Ricky Pearsall missing the remainder of the campaign following knee surgery and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling sidelined by an injury.
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