After a disappointing 6-11 finish in 2024, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to bounce back in 2025-and the schedule is on their side. Based on both last season’s records and projections for the upcoming campaign, the 49ers have the easiest schedule in the NFL, according to multiple metrics.
San Francisco’s 2025 opponents had a collective win percentage of just .415 last season, the lowest in the league. The team will face the AFC South and NFC South, divisions that struggled in 2024, alongside matchups against the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, two franchises that failed to make a serious postseason push.
This favorable schedule gives quarterback Brock Purdy a prime opportunity to prove himself-especially with his anticipated $55 million contract extension. Analyst Colin Cowherd has been outspoken about the lack of difficulty in San Francisco’s path, saying that any elite quarterback should win 13 or 14 games against this slate.
They are still in the mix for a Super Bowl
Despite Cowherd’s criticism, the NFL’s scheduling system operates on a rotating basis, meaning San Francisco’s matchups were determined by their last-place finish in the NFC West and the league’s standard formula. The 49ers faced a challenging schedule in 2024, so this year’s lighter slate provides a chance for a turnaround.
“I don’t wanna hear any excuses,” Cowherd said. “They don’t play a single team coming off a bye, and outside of Matthew Stafford twice and C.J. Stroud once, they don’t face what people would call an elite quarterback.”
With a healthy roster and relatively low expectations, the 49ers have a golden opportunity to return to playoff contention. If Purdy delivers, San Francisco could reclaim its status as an NFC powerhouse. However, if the team falters despite its manageable schedule, questions will arise about whether Purdy is truly worth his hefty price tag.
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