The ranking is based on the 2021 regular-season records of each opponent, and a lot could change over the next seven months. For now, the four teams with a more challenging road in 2022 are the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals, and now-Brady-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The winning percentage of the 49ers' opponents is .533, with a collective 2021 record of 154-135. Below are the teams with the 10 toughest strength of schedules next season.
- Los Angeles Rams, 164-125-0, .567
- Arizona Cardinals, 157-132-0, .543
- Cincinnati Bengals, 154-133-2, .536
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 154-134-1, .535
- San Francisco 49ers, 154-135-0, .533
- Kansas City Chiefs, 154-135-0, .533
- Las Vegas Raiders, 152-136-1, .528
- New Orleans Saints, 152-136-1, .528
- Atlanta Falcons, 151-137-1, .524
- Los Angeles Chargers, 150-139-0, .519
You have to take the ranking with a grain of salt, though. You can't just look at what a team did this past season to forecast what it might do next. For example, the 49ers host the Buccaneers in 2022, a matchup seemingly easier with Tom Brady no longer on the team. The Niners travel to face the Denver Broncos, who finished 7-10 but could be a quarterback away from being a force in the AFC West.
The 49ers are also going through a transition of their own. They are expected to part ways with last season's starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, and rely on Lance, who will be 22 years old at the start of the season.
The NFL released last season's schedule on May 12, 2021. Expect this year's release date to be around the same time, after the draft. For now, you can review San Francisco's opponents for the 2022 season below.
HOME (9 games)
- Arizona Cardinals
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Miami Dolphins
- New Orleans Saints
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Commanders
AWAY (8 games)
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Seattle Seahawks
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
One 49ers player makes feelings on Seahawks rematch very clear
One San Francisco 49ers player is ecstatic to keep his season alive after Sunday's Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The victory sets up a Divisional Round showdown against the Seattle Seahawks next weekend—an opportunity for the 49ers to avenge their Week 18 loss... -
49ers' 2026 NFL Draft position finalized after Rams beat Bears in playoffs
The San Francisco 49ers' position in the 2026 NFL Draft is now set. Following Sunday night's Divisional Round playoff game—when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chicago Bears—the 49ers officially secured the 27th overall pick in the first round. That is one spot lower than... -
49ers' Trent Williams sends a clear message about his NFL future
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams will be 38 years old at the start of the 2026 NFL season, a milestone that naturally raises questions about his long-term future. However, the future Hall of Famer has made it clear that retirement is not imminent. Williams... -
Why the 49ers are the NFL's gutsiest team after statement win vs. Eagles
A few weeks ago, I wrote that the Niners are the grittiest team in the NFL. That could not have been truer on Sunday night. Down their number one, number two, number three, and number four linebackers? Who cares? The number seven linebacker, Garret Wallow, had eleven tackles...