One bold 49ers record prediction will shock critics

Following the release of the full 272-game 2025 NFL regular season schedule, Sporting News contributor Daniel Chavkin analyzed the San Francisco 49ers' matchups. After a disappointing 2024 campaign in which the team won just six games, finished last in the NFC West, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, expectations are mixed heading into the new season.

With quarterback Brock Purdy poised to become one of the NFL's highest-paid players, the 49ers underwent a major offseason overhaul. They parted ways with several key contributors to clear future cash commitments and used 11 draft picks to restock the roster. That reset has led many critics to predict another challenging year for the storied Bay Area franchise.

Despite the significant roster turnover, Chavkin sees reason for optimism in 2025. He projects the 49ers to benefit from what is statistically the NFL's easiest schedule, which is based on opponents' 2024 win percentages.

San Francisco will face all three NFC West rivals within the first five weeks—starting with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, and the defending division champion Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. If things break their way, the 49ers could seize early momentum in the standings.

Chavkin boldly predicts a 12-5 finish for the 49ers.

"While the 49ers had a disappointing season in 2024, an easier schedule and improved health this year should allow for a bounce back," Chavkin wrote. "Expect San Francisco to return to the playoffs and once again challenge for a spot at the top of the NFC, given its much more favorable situation."

He notes that San Francisco faces only two playoff teams from last season outside the division—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans. If the 49ers can take care of business within the NFC West, a return to the postseason appears well within reach. However, that's a big "if," as the team won just one of six division matchups in 2024.

"San Francisco catches a break in its schedule with games against the Titans, Browns, and Giants, who were the three worst teams in the NFL last year," Chavkin added. "Those squads combined for a 9-42 record in 2024 and could once again be easy targets this season."

Still, not everyone is sold on the impact of an easy schedule. ESPN's Dan Graziano recently cautioned against reading too much into it.

"[T]he past three teams that entered the season with the 'easiest' schedule, all finished with losing records," Graziano noted. "That tells you a lot about the relevancy of having the 'easiest' schedule."