2025 NFL Schedule Release: Which Teams Will Have the Most Difficult and Easiest Paths to Success? ...Middle East

Which teams are expected to endure the most difficult schedules in 2025? And which ones hope to benefit from the softest schedules in the league? We have the answers.

Free agency. Offseason trades. The league meetings. The Scouting Combine. The Draft. Rookie minicamp.

There’s a reason why it’s said there is no offseason in the NFL. It’s because America’s interest level in the league has become a year-round addiction.  

The next big event to watch, analyze and get excited or gripe about came Wednesday when the NFL released its 2025 schedule. Yep, we’ll wait while you go ahead and do that pointless but irresistible exercise of marking a W or L next to each game to get your team’s projected record.

Why do we love it? Maybe because this is the time of hope. On average, there have been about six new playoff teams each year as a result of the league’s focus on promoting parity.

Some teams have been rewarded for a banner 2024 season by having to run through the gauntlet of division winners and playoff qualifiers, while others will get a chance to load up on wins against third- and fourth-place also-rans.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South at 10-7 last season, though the combined record of their opponents in those wins was just 68-102 (.400). At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles won 14 games against opponents that had a combined .513 winning percentage (122-116).

Should the eventual Super Bowl champions have gone undefeated? It’s debatable. The combined record of the Eagles’ opponents in their three losses was only 20-31 (.392).

So which teams are expected to endure the most difficult schedules in 2025 (based on 2024 opponent record)? And which ones hope to benefit from the softest schedules in the league?

We have the answers. But don’t get too worked up either way.

The Baltimore Ravens had what projected to be the second-toughest schedule in the league (the Cleveland Browns had the most difficult) and still finished 12-5. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, meanwhile, were projected to have the easiest schedules last season (.453) and neither reached the postseason. 

Here are the rankings from most difficult to easiest heading into 2025 (based on 2024 opponent record).

1. New York Giants (Opp. Win%: .574)

The Highlights: Veteran QB Russell Wilson is scheduled to make his Giants debut against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sept. 7. It will also the much-anticipated first game for No. 3 overall draft pick Abdul Carter, who figures to be a difference maker coming off the edge.

T-2. Detroit Lions (.571)

The Highlights: The Lions lost both their coordinators to head jobs, but a lot of talent remains. They hope to put a disappointing 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders behind them in Week 1 when they get a big showdown at Green Bay. In Week 6, Detroit goes on the road to face the mighty Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. In Week 11, the Lions have another trip to take on the other Super Bowl team, the Eagles, on Nov. 16. It’ll be Green Bay at Detroit in the early game on Thanksgiving and Lions at Vikings on Christmas afternoon.

T-2. Chicago Bears (.571)

The Highlights: It’s a much-anticipated Year 2 for Caleb Williams in Chicago. Don’t believe us? The NFL tabbed the Bears to play at home against the Vikings in the first Monday Night Football game of the season on Sept. 8. It will also be the debut for new head coach Ben Johnson, who previously served as the Lions offensive coordinator. Johnson will return to Detroit the following week on Sept. 14. The Bears also have a big tilt on Black Friday when they visit the defending champion Eagles at 3 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime. They head to Green Bay to face the rival Packers in Week 14 and then again at home in Week 16.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (.561)

The Highlights: As is tradition, the Super Bowl champs will take part in the Thursday night opener. The Eagles will take on the visiting NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys as Dak Prescott makes his return after missing half of the 2024 season. Then a Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs awaits in Week 2. Philadelphia will also be a part of the league’s continued interest in Black Friday games with a showdown against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. It’s likely all eyes will be on Eagles at Bills on Dec. 28.

T-5. Green Bay Packers (.557)

The Highlights: It’ll be a big game in the NFC North right away as the Detroit Lions visit the Packers in Week 1. The two contenders will meet again at Detroit on Thanksgiving. Green Bay has its first Monday Night Football game on Nov. 10 when they welcome the Super Bowl champion Eagles. After hosting the Bears on Dec. 7, the Packers will play their rivals again just two weeks later on Dec. 20.

T-5. Dallas Cowboys (.557)

The Highlights: With Dak Prescott set to return, the Cowboys take center stage in the 2025 season opener against the defending champion Eagles on Thursday, Sept. 4. Brian Schottenheimer, who replaced Mike McCarthy in the offseason, will also make his head coaching debut against the NFC East rivals. Of course, Dallas will host a Thanksgiving game – and the Chiefs will come calling. The Cowboys also visit the Commanders on Christmas Day.

T-5. Minnesota Vikings (.557)

The Highlights: It should be a bit of a transition year for the Vikings, who are expected to start J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. He’s set to make his debut on the road against the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Vikings are set to become the first team to play back-to-back games in two different foreign countries. The Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin in Week 4 before heading to London to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. Later, they’ll host the Lions on Christmas Day.

8. Washington Commanders (.550)

The Highlights: The emergence of Jayden Daniels and the Commanders was one of the biggest stories of the 2024 season. Now they’ve added Deebo Samuel to team with top target Terry McLaurin for the young quarterback. The Commanders figure to be a popular watch in 2025, and they’ll open against Russell Wilson and the rival New York Giants in Week 1. Also on the schedule is a trip to Madrid to face the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 16. It could be an important final stretch when the Commanders face the Giants, Eagles, Cowboys and Eagles again.

9. Baltimore Ravens (.533)

The Highlights: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are always in the mix for supremacy in the AFC and they’ll get an early measure stick at Buffalo in the Sunday Night Football opener. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 3 when they welcome the Lions or in Week 4 when they have a date at Kansas City. Baltimore plays Cincinnati twice in a three-week stretch on Nov. 27 and Dec. 14.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (.526)

The Highlights: We don’t know who the team’s starting QB will be yet. Aaron Rodgers? Mason Rudolph? Sixth-round pick Will Howard? Stay tuned. The Steelers and Jets meet in New York on Sept. 7 in what could be a revenge game for both Rodgers and new Jets QB Justin Fields. The Steelers also have a date with the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin on Sept. 28.

T-11. Kansas City Chiefs (.522)

The Highlights: As you might imagine, the Chiefs have some big games in primetime during the 2025 season. It starts the Friday night of opening week against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil in the first of the league’s seven international games – an all-time record. The Chiefs get a Super Bowl rematch with the visiting Eagles in Week 2 before getting another date with the rival Bills on No. 2. The Chiefs will play on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, visiting Dallas on Nov. 27 and hosting the Broncos on Dec. 25.

T-11. Los Angeles Chargers (.522)

The Highlights: Jim Harbaugh reached the playoffs in Year 1 and now he’s ready to take another step with his squad in 2025. Year 2 starts on Friday night of the opening week with an international matchup with the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil. The Chargers get a playoff rematch with the visiting Texans in Week 17.

13. Cleveland Browns (.519)

The Highlights: The Browns enter the 2025 season with some good young players after drafting Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Who will be starting at QB when Cleveland takes on the visiting Bengals in Week 1? Will it be someone different on Oct. 5 when the Browns play the Vikings in London? We don’t know.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (.509)

The Highlights: After falling short of the playoffs a year ago, the Bengals will no doubt try to get off to a strong start in the opener at Cleveland and at home in Week 2 against the Jaguars. After that, it gets a little tougher with trips to Minnesota and Denver, and home games against the Lions and Steelers around a visit to Green Bay. A trip to Buffalo on Dec. 7 should be worth watching.   

15. Denver Broncos (.505)

The Highlights: After leading the Broncos to the postseason in his first year, Bo Nix returns for Year 2 in Denver. Nix and the Broncos will open the season at home against rookie Cam Ward and the Titans on Sept 7. The Broncos have been rewarded with an international game, playing the New York Jets in London on Oct. 12. They’ll also have a big one on Christmas when they visit the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs on Amazon Prime.

16. Las Vegas Raiders (.502)

The Highlights: Geno Smith figures to be a considerable upgrade for Las Vegas under center. And don’t forget about first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. The exciting new QB-RB combo is set to make its first appearance with the Raiders at New England on Sept. 7. Pete Carroll will also be making his head coaching debut with Las Vegas.

17. Los Angeles Rams (.491)

The Highlights: Matthew Stafford is back after leading the Rams to a playoff appearance. The Rams ended 2024 on a high note, winning five of their last six. In Week 1, they’re playing at home against C.J. Stroud and the Texans. Stafford and the Rams travel across the pond on Oct. 19 when they face the Jaguars (who else?) in London. They’ll also host a Thanksgiving Day game against the Buccaneers on NBC.

T-18. Houston Texans (.481)

The Highlights: C.J. Stroud and the Texans open the 2025 season with a trip to Los Angeles to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams on Sept. 7. It figures to be a potential playoff preview in Week 12 when the Bills come calling to Houston on Thursday Night Football (Nov. 20). Just two weeks later, the Texans head to Kansas City for a Sunday Night Football showdown on NBC.

T-18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (.481)

The Highlights: Coming off a playoff appearance, the Bucs answered one of the biggest offseason questions when they re-signed Chris Godwin to a three-year $66 million deal. They gave Baker Mayfield another target with its first draft pick in wideout Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. Tampa Bay is schedule to open the 2025 slate at Atlanta on Sept. 7. The Bucs will also be on the road in the Thanksgiving nightcap against the Rams on NBC.

20. Atlanta Falcons (.478)

The Highlights: Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons hope to be one of those breakthrough teams after an 8-9 finish in 2024. They’ll open the new season with an NFC South clash against the visiting Buccaneers. Atlanta also takes part in the international series on Nov. 9 when it locks up with the Colts in Berlin.

T-21. Miami Dolphins (.474)

The Highlights: After coming close to making the postseason in 2024, the Dolphins will try to get out to a fast start at Indianapolis in the opener on Sept. 7. The Dolphins also got the call to play in one of the several international games on the 2025 schedule. They’ll take on Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Madrid on Nov. 16.

T-21. Seattle Seahawks (.474)

The Highlights: Sam Darnold, who has been tabbed to replace Geno Smith under center, is set to play his first game with the Seahawks against the visiting 49ers on Sept. 7. He’ll face his former team, the Vikings, at home on Nov. 30. Seattle also added former AP Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp on a three-year, $45 million deal. Kupp will make his return to Los Angeles on Nov. 16 when Seattle visits the Rams. The Seahawks will see old friend DK Metcalf, who was traded to the Steelers in the offseason, on Sept. 14 when Seattle visits Pittsburgh. 

T-23. Buffalo Bills (.467)

The Highlights: Is this the year the Bills finally get over the hump? They’ll get an early test at home against the Baltimore Ravens in the first Sunday Night Football game. But look, we know what you’re thinking … when do they play the Chiefs? At home on Nov. 2. Before that, the Bills get a look at old pal Stefon Diggs, now a Patriot, when New England visits Oct. 5. In a potential Super Bowl matchup, the Bills host the Eagles on Dec. 28.

T-23. Jacksonville Jaguars (.467)

The Highlights: Our team ratings model points to the Jaguars as one of those teams that could rise up after finishing 4-13 last season. One big reason might be two-way rookie Travis Hunter, who they selected No. 2 overall. He’ll make his debut at home against the Panthers on Sept. 7. The Jaguars are certainly no strangers to playing in London, and they’ll do it again this season against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 19. The top two picks in the draft will battle on Nov. 30 when the Jags visit Cam Ward and the Titans.

25. Indianapolis Colts (.464)

The Highlights: The Colts, who are coming off a 2024 season in which they fell just short of the postseason, hope to get off to a strong start against the visiting Dolphins in Week 1. Indianapolis is also one of the teams getting a taste of international action in 2025. The Colts will battle the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin on Nov. 9. They hope a division title will be on the line in Week 18 when they travel to Houston.

26. New York Jets (.460)

The Highlights: The Jets have moved on from Aaron Rodgers and are likely turning to Justin Fields as their starting quarterback. So when the Steelers visit the Jets in the opener on Sept.7, it could be a revenge game for both Rodgers and Fields. It will also be first game for new head coach Aaron Glenn, who was hired after serving as the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. The Jets will make a trip to London on Oct. 12 to play the Denver Broncos.  

T-27. Arizona Cardinals (.457)

The Highlights: The Cardinals, who made a big move by signing Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76 million deal, appear to have a chance to get off to a solid start in 2025. They have dates with the Saints, Panthers, Seahawks, Colts and Jaguars early in the season.

T-27. Carolina Panthers (.457)

The Highlights: After a strong finish in 2024, Carolina hoped to give Bryce Young a star target in the passing game by picking Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall in the NFL Draft. The new pairing will show what it can do at Jacksonville in the opener on Sept. 7. Will he be going up against high-profile two-way rookie Travis Hunter? We can only hope.

29. Tennessee Titans (.450)

The Highlights: Though there’s some question about just how good of a prospect he is, Cam Ward is an immediate upgrade for a Tennessee team that threw more interceptions than any other in the NFL last year. The quarterback, who was selected first overall, will make his debut in a tough environment on Sept. 7 when the Titans visit the Denver Broncos.

30. New England Patriots (.429)

The Highlights: New England made a big move to protect QB Drake Maye by selecting offensive lineman Will Campbell fourth overall. The Patriots also got him some help in the passing game by adding Stefon Diggs, who will face his former team, the Buffalo Bills, for the first time on Oct. 5. In the season opener, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel makes his return and will lead New England against the visiting Raiders.

31. New Orleans Saints (.419)

The Highlights: It remains to be seen who his quarterback will be after Derek Carr was forced into retirement due to a shoulder injury, but Kellen Moore will make his head coaching debut in New Orleans on Sept. 7 against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. It should help that they have what’s projected to be the second-easiest schedule in the league.

32. San Francisco 49ers (.415)

The Highlights: The 49ers hope to rebound quickly from a forgettable 2024 season. One reason for optimism is the positive reports on Christian McCaffrey’s offseason recovery. Will he be on the field when the 49ers visit the Seahawks in the opener? Only time will tell. The 49ers have what looks to be the easiest schedule in the NFL.

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2025 NFL Schedule Release: Which Teams Will Have the Most Difficult and Easiest Paths to Success? Opta Analyst.

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