The NFL will officially release its 2025 schedule on May 14 at 8 p.m. ET, but fans already have a clear view of what their teams are up against. While the exact dates and times remain under wraps, the opponents for every team have been known for months-thanks to the NFL’s well-established scheduling formula.
Each year, teams are handed matchups based on divisional rotations and the previous season’s standings.
That means the real variable in the official schedule announcement is the order and timing of games-not the level of competition. Still, some teams have drawn the short end of the stick, while others look poised for a smoother path.
By analyzing opponents’ 2024 win percentages along with recent offseason moves, we can already project which franchises will have the toughest-and easiest-roads ahead.
Giants draw brutal lineup
No team has a tougher projected schedule in 2025 than the New York Giants. With opponents that posted a combined .574 win percentage in 2024, the Giants are staring down one of the most difficult slates in the league. After finishing with the third-worst record last season, the road to improvement will be anything but easy.
In divisional play alone, New York must face three stronger NFC East rivals-Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington-twice each. That’s six highly competitive matchups right off the bat. Adding to the challenge, the NFC East is aligned this season with the AFC West and NFC North.
That pits the Giants against perennial contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers, as well as rebuilding teams such as the Raiders and Bears.
As for the Cowboys, they have the fifth toughest schedule for the upcoming season. Along with their tough NFC East schedule, they will also have to face the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings.
Luckily for Dak Prescott and his teammates, all those games will take place at home as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season that saw Dallas fail to make the playoffs.
On the opposite end of the spectrum sit the San Francisco 49ers. Their opponents combined for a .415 win percentage last year-the lowest in the NFL-giving the Niners the league’s easiest schedule on paper. This scheduling break could not come at a better time, as the team faces critical contract negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy. While there’s no indication of a holdout, the light schedule gives the 49ers breathing room should any issues arise.
San Francisco’s divisional rivals-the Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals-are all in transitional or rebuilding phases. Beyond that, the NFC West will face the NFC South, another relatively soft division. Due to their last-place finish in 2024, the 49ers also match up against other last-place teams, including the Bears and Giants, further easing their path.
While these schedules appear lopsided, there’s no foul play involved. The NFL’s scheduling system follows a structured formula: six games within the division, eight games against rotating divisions (four in-conference and four out-of-conference), and three based on previous standings-including one inter-conference matchup.
This formula ensures competitive balance over time-but it doesn’t guarantee an even playing field each season.
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