The Niners have a 4th place schedule in 2025. Who will be their toughest challenges?
The San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024, resulting in them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and ending with the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
It was a much different offseason for the 49ers than in years past, as they saw many key free agents walk while not making any significant moves, instead relying on the draft and their younger players for depth.
However, the one element going in their favor heading into 2025 is having a fourth-place schedule thanks to being the worst team in the NFC West this past season. Now, the schedule can be overrated at times, as much changes in the NFL from year to year.
But, San Francisco seems to have a favorable schedule on paper, facing the NFC South and the AFC South, which are two of the lesser-talented divisions in the NFL. Still, there are a few tough opponents that could give the 49ers trouble in 2025.
Let’s look at the 49ers’ opponents and evaluate which five will be the toughest to handle in 2025 ahead of this week’s schedule drop.
Los Angeles Rams
After winning the division in 2024, the Rams are arguably San Francisco’s biggest challenge in the NFC West. They extended Matthew Stafford, replaced Cooper Kupp with Davante Adams, and have a very similar team to last year’s playoff group.
While the 49ers have historically had success in the regular season against the Rams, they were swept in the season series in 2024 and will face another tough battle with their division rivals again in 2025.
Any team led by Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay is a challenge to face. That’s no different this season.
Houston Texans
Another team with coaching ties to Kyle Shanahan cracks the list. According to FanDuel, DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are the current favorites to win the division.
They still have C.J. Stroud at quarterback and bolstered their receiving corps by adding Christian Kirk via trade and Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel via the draft to complement Nico Collins.
Their defense remains one of the best in the NFL. The only question is their offensive line, which is even more suspect after trading away Laremy Tunsil this offseason. But, the Texans should be a playoff team in 2025, making them one of the tougher challenges for the 49ers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite losing offensive coordinator Liam Coen this offseason, the Buccaneers are still in a good spot to challenge for the NFC South title in 2025.
Their offensive nucleus remains the same with Chris Godwin back, and they added first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to the fold. Defensively is where there could be challenges, but it’s a young group with developing players at all three levels.
Rookies could make or break this team into taking the next step, but they still should be a tough opponent in 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars
From the No. 2 pick to a playoff spot? It’s possible for a Jacksonville Jaguars team that was ravaged by injuries in 2024 and now has a new coaching staff and Travis Hunter coming in.
They currently have the second-best odds to win the AFC South, but a healthy Trevor Lawrence throwing to Brian Thomas and Hunter could offset a poor offensive line. The defense, if healthy, looks like an above-average unit as well.
Liam Coen will have his hands full, but the Jaguars could be a sneaky good opponent in 2025 after a fourth-place finish in the division last year.
Chicago Bears
Another team with a fourth-place finish in their division last year, the Chicago Bears could make some noise in 2025 with a revamped coaching staff.
Caleb Williams now also has Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to throw to, and the Bears significantly upgraded their offensive line with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, and (perhaps?) second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo.
Defensively, they added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo to a rapidly-improving group and seem primed to take the next step in 2025.
They could potentially be the toughest fourth-place team to face for the 49ers in 2025.