The NFL unveiled its schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday night, revealing that the overall slate is not evenly distributed among the 32 teams. Some teams will find themselves facing tougher opponents, while others may have a more manageable path, regardless of how they performed in the previous season.
Predicting the difficulty of a team’s schedule can be rather tricky. Factors like changes in free agency, the NFL draft, shifts in front office management, or new coaching strategies can all create substantial fluctuations from one year to the next.
Interestingly, the Washington Commanders ended last season with a strong 12-5 record and reached the NFC Championship Game, indicating they had one of the most difficult schedules.
Let’s take a look at three teams heading into 2025 with the lowest win rates for their opponents from the previous season.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers had a challenging season, finishing 6-11 after previously competing in the Super Bowl. Their upcoming schedule could be a vital opportunity for them to rebound and aim for the playoffs.
In 2024, their opponents had a combined win rate of just .415. Notably, they will only face four teams that made the playoffs last year, including two matchups against their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.
- Week 1 – Away vs Seattle Seahawks
- Week 2 – Away vs New Orleans Saints
- Week 3 – Home vs Arizona Cardinals
- Week 4 – Home vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 5 – Away vs Los Angeles Rams
- Week 6 – Away vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 7 – Home vs Atlanta Falcons
- Week 8 – Away vs Houston Texans
- Week 9 – Away vs New York Giants
- Week 10 – Home vs Los Angeles Rams
- Week 11 – Away vs Arizona Cardinals
- Week 12 – Home vs Carolina Panthers
- Week 13 – Away vs Cleveland Browns
- Week 14 – Bye
- Week 15 – Home vs Tennessee Titans
- Week 16 – Away vs Indianapolis Colts
- Week 17 – Home vs Chicago Bears
- Week 18 – Home vs Seattle Seahawks
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are also set for a relatively easier slate, with their opponents holding a win rate of .419 last season.
Coming off a tough 5-12 record and dealing with the unexpected retirement of quarterback Derek Carr, a more favorable schedule could be crucial for them to sneak into the playoffs this year.
- Week 1 – Home vs Arizona Cardinals
- Week 2 – Home vs San Francisco 49ers
- Week 3 – Away vs Seattle Seahawks
- Week 4 – Away vs Buffalo Bills
- Week 5 – Home vs New York Giants
- Week 6 – Home vs New England Patriots
- Week 7 – Away vs Chicago Bears
- Week 8 – Home vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 9 – Away vs Los Angeles Rams
- Week 10 – Away vs Carolina Panthers
- Week 11 – Bye
- Week 12 – Home vs Atlanta Falcons
- Week 13 – Away vs Miami Dolphins
- Week 14 – Away vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 15 – Home vs Carolina Panthers
- Week 16 – Home vs New York Jets
- Week 17 – Away vs Tennessee Titans
- Week 18 – Away vs Atlanta Falcons
New England Patriots
After a challenging 4-13 season, the Patriots are aiming to turn things around in coach Mike Vrabel’s first year. Their 2025 opponents collectively had a win percentage of .429 last season.
This season, New England will play teams from the AFC East, NFC South, and AFC North, including three that made the playoffs more recently.
- Week 1 – Home vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 2 – Away vs Miami Dolphins
- Week 3 – Home vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 4 – Home vs Carolina Panthers
- Week 5 – Away vs Buffalo Bills
- Week 6 – Away vs New Orleans Saints
- Week 7 – Away vs Tennessee Titans
- Week 8 – Home vs Cleveland Browns
- Week 9 – Home vs Atlanta Falcons
- Week 10 – Away vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 11 – Home vs New York Jets
- Week 12 – Away vs Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 13 – Home vs New York Giants
- Week 14 – Bye
- Week 15 – Home vs Buffalo Bills
- Week 16 – Away vs Baltimore Ravens
- Week 17 – Away vs New York Jets
- Week 18 – Home vs Miami Dolphins
