The NFL will announce the entire 2022 slate of matchups on Thursday night. That's when we'll learn the dates and times for all 272 regular-season games. However, we've known the opponents for a while now. If the San Francisco 49ers are to return to the playoffs for the third time in four years, it won't be an easy road.

San Francisco's upcoming opponents went 154-135 in 2021. The team's schedule will include seven matchups against opponents coming off a playoff appearance (Rams twice, Cardinals twice, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Raiders). Those opponents had a total winning percentage of .533 in 2021, which is good enough to tie with the Kansas City Chiefs as the fifth-toughest schedule based on the opponents' winning percentage (strength of schedule).

Only the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams (.567), the Arizona Cardinals (.543), the Cincinnati Bengals (.536), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (.535) own tougher strength of schedules.

San Francisco will likely embark on their 2022 campaign with second-year quarterback Trey Lance at the helm of the offense. Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be traded after he recovers from his offseason shoulder surgery—assuming trade partners are still out there. That could make things more challenging for the team, which is coming off an NFC title appearance.

The hope is that Lance is ready for the responsibility, and the 49ers have publicly stated that they believe he is.

Below is the ranking of each team's strength of schedule for the upcoming season.

Rank Team Opponent's 2021 record Opponents' 2021 win %
1 Rams 164-125-0 .567
2 Cardinals 157-132-0 .543
3 Bengals 154-133-2 .536
4 Buccaneers 154-134-1 .535
T-5 49ers 154-135-0 .533
T-5 Chiefs 154-135-0 .533
T-7 Raiders 152-136-1 .528
T-7 Saints 152-136-1 .528
9 Falcons 151-137-1 .524
10 Chargers 150-139-0 .519
11 Seahawks 149-139-1 .517
T-12 Steelers 148-141-0 .512
T-12 Panthers 147-140-2 .512
T-12 Bills 147-140-2 .512
15 Broncos 147-142-0 .509
16 Patriots 143-144-2 .498
T-17 Jets 142-145-2 .495
T-17 Browns 142-145-2 .495
19 Texans 141-148-0 .488
20 Vikings 139-148-2 .484
21 Dolphins 138-149-2 .481
22 Packers 137-150-2 .478
23 Ravens 136-151-2 .474
T-24 Bears 135-152-2 .471
T-24 Titans 136-153-0 .471
T-26 Jaguars 135-153-1 .469
T-26 Colts 135-153-1 .469
28 Lions 135-154-0 .467
29 Giants 134-154-1 .465
30 Eagles 133-154-2 .464
T-31 Commanders 133-155-1 .462
T-31 Cowboys 133-155-1 .462

49ers' 2022 opponents


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