49ers defeat means a possible easy schedule of games in 2025

[Auggie]

San Francisco Chronicle / 12-31-2024

The good news for the downtrodden San Francisco 49ers: They could be playing some very bad teams in 2025.

The 49ers’ 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night assured them of a last-place finish in the NFC West, which will provide them with what appears to be an inviting fourth-place schedule next season.

The 49ers will play their fellow cellar dwellers from the NFC North (Bears), NFC East (Giants) and AFC North (Browns), three teams that have a combined record of 10-38 this season. Ten teams have at least 11 losses this season and seven of the others are on the 49ers’ 2025 schedule, which includes just two teams that currently have a winning record. The combined record of the 49ers’ 11 non-division foes is 59-117 (.335).

Link and paywall: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/49ers-prize-last-place-nfc-west-tantalizing-20006201.php

Teams / 2024 record as of Week 16:

HOME
• Atlanta (8-8)
• Carolina (4-12)
• Jacksonville (4-12)
• Tennessee (3-13)
• Chicago (4-12)
• Arizona (7-9)
• Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
• Seattle (9-7)

AWAY
• Cleveland (3-13)
• Houston (9-7)
• Indianapolis (7-9)
• New Orleans (5-11)
• New York Giants (3-13)
• Tampa Bay (9-7)
• Arizona
• L.A. Rams
• Seattle

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Looks easy as of today.

[True Dough]

1. Way to find

a silver lining, Auggie!

Hopefully Purdy's elbow isn't a serious injury again.

[multigraincracker]

2. They'll get higher draft picks.

[displacedvermoter]

3. Too bad they couldn't squeeze in the Jets

[Rebl2]

4. Why would

they get a easy schedule?

[AZProgressive]

5. The NFL schedules 1 division inside each conference for each divisional team

For the other 2 of 3 divisons inside the same conference they play other teams that finished in the same place in the division for example if the 49ers finish 4th if they lose to the Cardinals they face 2 teams that finished 4th in their division besides the division where they play all the divisional teams. I'm still not sure what formula the NFL uses for the 17th game but it looks like an extra non-conference game. The Cardinals had to play the AFC East but they also played an extra AFC team in LA Chargers so maybe 49ers get an easier AFC team to play but I'm just guessing when it comes to the 17th game.

[Angleae]

6. Unfortunately, it frequently doesn't work the way you want.

Just because you placed last in your division doesn't automatically mean you will have a soft schedule. The Bears could be a very good team if they only hired a decent coach. The Giant could be, if they get a real QB. The Raiders last year were 3rd in our division, but yet have the 3rd hardest schedule in the entire NFL (behind the Giant and Bears, which should say a lot).