At the other end of the spectrum, the San Francisco 49ers have the easiest schedule (.415). The collective performance of the NFC North in 2024 helps to explain why the Giants are so high on the list despite their 3-14 record, and why the Bears, Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings follow closely behind.

With the Lions playing a first-place schedule on the heels of their second-straight NFC North title, they rank as the NFL's third-hardest schedule in 2025.

The NFL’s true offseason won’t come until June and July, after players have gone through the offseason program.