49ers projected to have one of the easiest schedules in 2026
The 49ers could have an easier slate than most teams in the NFL this year.
Despite finishing 12-5 a year ago, the San Francisco 49ers won't have a difficult schedule in 2026 — on paper, at least. The 49ers' strength of schedule ranks eighth-easiest in the league for this upcoming season, according to Vegas odds compiled by Sharp Football Analytics . The only teams with an easier schedule are the Lions, Saints, Bengals, Browns, Jets, Ravens and Eagles.
NEW: NFL strength of schedule for 2026! 5 easiest schedules: 1️⃣ Lions 2️⃣ Saints 3️⃣ Bengals 4️⃣ Browns 5️⃣ Jets 5 hardest schedules: 2️⃣8️⃣ Rams 2️⃣9️⃣ Cowboys 3️⃣0️⃣ Panthers 3️⃣1️⃣ Dolphins 3️⃣2️⃣ Cardinals 1-32 with insight & analysis: https://t. co/iS1PFqfcxx — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 4, 2026 The reasons are relatively simple.
Despite playing the rest of the NFC West twice, the 49ers play a third-place schedule that includes the Dolphins and Falcons. San Francisco also has to play the NFC North, AFC West and NFC East, which isn't the easiest group with teams like the Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Chargers, Packers and Bears. What this schedule is going to look like is a combination of playoff contenders and league bottom-feeders.
And because the win totals for the Dolphins, Cardinals, Raiders and Falcons are so long, it lessened the overall strength of schedule. This gives the 49ers an interesting upcoming slate, one where they'll need to be surgical in games they should win and then bold in the games against stronger opponents. This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers projected to have one of the easiest schedules in 2026