If the San Francisco 49ers are going to rebound from a last season's disaster, the NFL seems to be offering them a boost.
In what one analyst deems the league's easiest schedule, outside of the NFC West division the Niners face only two teams - the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers - that posted winning records in 2024. On the schedule are non-division foes the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13), New York Giants (3-14), Carolina Panthers (5-12), Cleveland Browns (3-14) and Tennessee Titans (3-14).
In 2024 those teams combined for a record of 18-67.
These are the benefits of a last-place schedule.
Granted the Niners weren't much better in their 6-11 disaster, but there's a clear path for a return to the playoff for Kyle Shanahan's team.
The 49ers' road to redemption will begin in Seattle. They hope it ends in their own backyard in February, at Super Bowl LX in Levi's Stadium.
After an ugly season, the Niners were bypassed for international games or marquee matchups on Thanksgiving or Christmas. They are, however, scheduled for five prime-time games: two on Monday Night Football, two more on Sunday Night Football and one on Thursday Night Football.
Their season opener will be Sunday, Sept. 7 against the NFC West Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Niners 2025 Schedule
WEEK 1 - at Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m.
WEEK 2 - at New Orleans Saints, 10 a.m.
WEEK 3 - vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m.
WEEK 4 - vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:05 p.m.
WEEK 5 - at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday Night Football) 5:15 p.m.
WEEK 6 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10 a.m.
WEEK 7 - vs. Atlanta Falcons, 5:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
WEEK 8 - at Houston Texans, 10 a.m.
WEEK 9 - at New York Giants, 10 a.m.
WEEK 10 - vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m.
WEEK 11 - at Arizona Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
WEEK 12 - vs. Carolina Panthers 5:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
WEEK 13 - at Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m.
WEEK 14 - BYE
WEEK 15 - vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:25 p.m.
WEEK 16 - at Indianapolis Colts, 5:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
WEEK 17 - vs. Chicago Bears, 5:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
WEEK 18 - vs. Seattle Seahawks, TBD