Let’s break down the team’s schedule for the 2025 season.
The San Francisco 49ers finally have their schedule revealed for the 2025 season, and it seems to be one of the easiest in the NFL on paper.
However, not always do schedules be what they appear, as there are always trap games and tough opponents mixed in over an 18-week period. So, let’s rank the five toughest games on the 49ers schedule for 2025.
No. 5: Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Rams
At No. 5 is the second matchup between the 49ers and the Rams, which takes place at Levi’s Stadium in Week 10.
San Francisco has dominated the season series in years past, but Los Angeles took the sweep in 2024 and is the 49ers’ biggest threat to the NFC West title in 2025.
The 49ers have a late bye week, while the Rams will get their extra rest in Week 8. That could be a slight advantage to Los Angeles, but given that this one is a home game for the 49ers, it comes in at No. 5.
No. 4: Week 1 @ Seattle Seahawks
Another division game comes in at No. 4, as the 49ers travel to Lumen Field to take on the Seahawks in Week 1. It’s the first time since 2010 that San Francisco will face Seattle in Week 1 at Lumen Field, which is always a tough environment to play in.
The Niners have won each of the past three matchups at Lumen, and they’ll face a Seahawks team with a new infrastructure, as they replaced Geno Smith with Sam Darnold and swapped wideouts D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for Cooper Kupp.
Still, the 49ers seem to have the better roster on paper, so this comes in at No. 4.
No. 3: Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears
Yes, it’s a home game. But, the Bears could be a sneaky team to watch this season after hiring Ben Johnson as their head coach and supplementing quarterback Caleb Williams with help on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and at tight end.
Defensively, the Bears are still one of the stronger teams, and they added talent along the defensive line in free agency. Not to mention, the 49ers will be coming off short rest, having a Monday night game against the Indianapolis Colts on the road the week before.
Injuries always come into play late in the season, although that can be said for both teams. So, this game comes in at No. 3.
No. 2: Week 5 vs. Los Angeles Rams
The second spot on the list is a repeat, as it is the first game between the 49ers and the Rams this season. It’s also the first primetime game of the season for San Francisco, coming on a Thursday Night on the road against Los Angeles.
Now, San Francisco has generally fared well with fans traveling on the road, but facing the Rams is a tough challenge, and it comes after a game with the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 4.
The Rams are arguably San Francisco’s toughest opponent in 2025, so it’s no surprise they’re high on the list here. But, they don’t get the top spot, which goes to…
No. 1: Week 8 @ Houston Texans
A reunion with DeMeco Ryans comes in Week 8 on the road, smack in the middle of San Francisco’s schedule.
It’s a 10:00 a.m. Pacific start, which is generally unfavorable for West Coast teams, and the Texans are expected to be one of the better teams in the league this year.
They replaced Stefon Diggs with Christian Kirk via trade and Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel via the draft. And much of their defense is similar to last year’s unit. The key loss is Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to the Washington Commanders, and could be a big miss for Houston.
But, the Texans have a new offensive coordinator for quarterback C.J. Stroud, and a good team on both sides of the ball. They come in at No. 1 on the list.