The 2025 NFL season is here, and a team’s strength of schedule (SOS) can significantly shape its journey to the playoffs. SOS measures the difficulty of a team’s 17-game regular-season slate, typically based on opponents’ combined winning percentages from the previous season or projected win totals for the upcoming year. While no metric perfectly predicts outcomes, SOS offers valuable insight into the challenges ahead. Below, we rank all 32 NFL teams’ 2025 schedules from toughest to easiest, using a combination of 2024 opponent win percentages and Vegas oddsmakers’ 2025 projected win totals, alongside key matchups and trends.
Methodology Strength of Schedule for 2025 is calculated using two approaches:
- 2024 Opponent Win Percentage: This method totals the 2024 win-loss records of a team’s 2025 opponents to calculate their combined winning percentage. While straightforward, it’s less predictive due to roster changes, injuries, and coaching shifts.
- 2025 Projected Win Totals: Using Vegas oddsmakers’ projected win totals for 2025 opponents, this forward-looking approach accounts for offseason moves, player development, and expected team performance. It’s considered more accurate, as prior-year records explain only about 3.9% of a team’s actual SOS in recent seasons.
We’ve blended these metrics to rank teams from hardest (#1) to easiest (#32), with details on opponent win percentages, playoff matchups, and notable games. The accompanying chart visualizes the rankings for quick reference.
2025 NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings
1. New York Giants (.574)
The Giants face the NFL’s toughest schedule, with opponents posting a .574 winning percentage in 2024 (166-123). The NFC East is brutal, with two games each against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, NFC runner-up Washington Commanders, and Dallas Cowboys. Add in the NFC North and AFC West—two of 2024’s strongest divisions—and same-place finishers like the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, and the Giants face a gauntlet. Six of their first eight games are against top-seven pass defenses from 2024, and they play 10 games against 2024 playoff teams. Coach Brian Daboll and rookie QB Jaxson Dart will need to lean on a revamped offense to compete.
2. Chicago Bears (.571)
The Bears’ opponents had a .571 winning percentage in 2024 (165-124), tying for the second-toughest slate. The NFC North means six games against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings—all playoff contenders in 2024. The Bears also face the NFC East and AFC West, with a Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup against the Vikings and a Week 2 trip to Detroit. With 10 games against 2024 playoff teams and 11 against .500+ teams, QB Caleb Williams and new OC Ben Johnson face a steep challenge.
2. Detroit Lions (.571)
The Lions, fresh off an NFC North title, share the .571 SOS mark and face a record-tying 11 games against 2024 playoff teams. Their early schedule is road-heavy, with four away games in the first six weeks, including clashes with the NFC East and AFC North. Key games include a Week 2 battle with the Bears and a Week 6 showdown with the Chiefs. Detroit’s high-powered offense, led by Jahmyr Gibbs, could keep them in contention despite the tough slate.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (.561)
The Super Bowl champion Eagles face a .561 SOS, with a grueling six-game stretch against 2024 playoff teams, including a 10-day span against the Chiefs, Lions, and Cowboys. Their NFC East rivalries and matchups against the NFC North and AFC West add complexity. Saquon Barkley’s elite rushing attack provides a foundation to navigate this challenging schedule.
5. Dallas Cowboys (.557)Tied with Green Bay and Minnesota at .557, the Cowboys face the NFL’s second-toughest schedule from Week 12 onward. They play the NFC North and AFC West, with a five-day stretch against the Chargers and Commanders. With 11 games against .500+ teams from 2024, this defense will be tested.
5. Green Bay Packers (.557)
The Packers’ .557 SOS includes 11 games against .500+ teams and 10 against 2024 playoff squads. Notable games include a Week 4 matchup in Ireland against the Vikings and a Week 8 clash with the Steelers. Jordan Love’s growth and a dynamic young offense offer hope for overcoming this tough slate.
5. Minnesota Vikings (.557)
The Vikings’ .557 SOS is complicated by two international games (Week 4 in Ireland, Week 5 in London) and seven standalone games, including five in the first eight weeks. Facing the NFC East and AFC North, plus J.J. McCarthy’s Week 1 debut against the Bears, Minnesota’s schedule is daunting.
8. Washington Commanders (.550)
The Commanders’ .550 SOS is offset by a favorable early schedule, with only one opponent projected to have a winning 2025 record. Their eight standalone games, tied for the most in the NFL, include a Week 6 rematch with the Bears. Jayden Daniels’ development could help Washington exploit early winnable games.
9-15. Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Others (.522-.550)
Teams like the Chiefs (.522) and Chargers (.522) face above-average schedules. Kansas City plays five primetime games in the first eight weeks, including a Week 1 clash with the Chargers in Brazil. The Chiefs face four of 2024’s top five scoring offenses, testing their revamped roster. Teams like the Raiders and Browns also navigate challenging divisional and inter-conference matchups.
16-20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and Others (.474-.481)
The Buccaneers and Texans, both at .481 SOS, benefit from facing the NFC South and AFC South, respectively, which are projected to be weaker divisions. Tampa Bay’s manageable matchups and Houston’s C.J. Stroud could lead to strong fantasy performances.
21-26. Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Others (.457-.474)
The Bills (.467) have the easiest schedule among Super Bowl contenders, with just one game outside the Eastern time zone and minimal travel. Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber play could make Buffalo a playoff lock. The Jaguars and Dolphins also face favorable schedules.
27-29. Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans (.457)
The Cardinals (.457) boast a fantasy-friendly schedule, facing nine defenses among the worst 10 in 2024. Kyler Murray and James Conner could exploit matchups against teams like the 49ers, Jaguars, and Saints. The Panthers and Titans also benefit from softer slates, aiding their rebuilds.
30. New England Patriots (.429)
The Patriots have the AFC’s easiest schedule at .429, facing weaker opponents like the Titans, Saints, and Giants. With Mike Vrabel’s coaching and Drake Maye’s growth, New England could surprise with a playoff push.31. New Orleans Saints (.425)The Saints face just four 2024 playoff teams, tied for the fewest in the NFL, with a .425 SOS. A last-place schedule and Kellen Moore’s offensive overhaul could position New Orleans for a playoff run if injuries are avoided.
32. San Francisco 49ers (.415)
The 49ers have the NFL’s easiest schedule, with a .415 opponent win percentage. After a 6-11 season plagued by injuries, their last-place schedule includes only four games against 2024 playoff teams (Texans, Buccaneers, Rams x2). Facing the NFC South and AFC South, plus winnable games against the Giants, Bears, and Browns, the 49ers could rebound if Christian McCaffrey stays healthy.
2025 NFL Strength of Schedule Table
| Rank | Team | SOS (2024 Opp. Win %) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Giants | .574 |
| 2 | Chicago Bears | .571 |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | .571 |
| 4 | Philadelphia Eagles | .561 |
| 5 | Dallas Cowboys | .557 |
| 5 | Green Bay Packers | .557 |
| 5 | Minnesota Vikings | .557 |
| 8 | Washington Commanders | .550 |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | .545 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Chargers | .540 |
| 11 | Cleveland Browns | .536 |
| 12 | Las Vegas Raiders | .534 |
| 13 | Baltimore Ravens | .532 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers | .530 |
| 15 | Denver Broncos | .522 |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | .481 |
| 17 | Houston Texans | .479 |
| 18 | Los Angeles Rams | .478 |
| 19 | Atlanta Falcons | .476 |
| 20 | Indianapolis Colts | .474 |
| 21 | Buffalo Bills | .474 |
| 22 | Jacksonville Jaguars | .472 |
| 23 | Miami Dolphins | .470 |
| 24 | New York Jets | .468 |
| 25 | Cincinnati Bengals | .466 |
| 26 | Seattle Seahawks | .457 |
| 27 | Arizona Cardinals | .457 |
| 27 | Carolina Panthers | .457 |
| 27 | Tennessee Titans | .457 |
| 30 | New England Patriots | .429 |
| 31 | New Orleans Saints | .425 |
| 32 | San Francisco 49ers | .415 |