The NFL official schedule release for the 2025 season has revealed that the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions will be facing some of the most challenging paths of the year. This information was made public on Wednesday as the league announced all 32 teams’ upcoming schedules. While the NFL’s schedule is known to be unbalanced, these three teams have been identified as the most difficult to navigate this season.
The Giants, who had a historically poor 2024 season, are now set to face the most formidable opponents in the league. Their schedule features a combined .574 winning percentage, meaning their upcoming opponents are expected to be quite competitive. The Giants will have to contend with several teams from the NFC East, NFC North, and AFC West, all of which had successful runs in the previous season. Notably, the Giants are set to face six of their first eight games against playoff teams from 2024, including the Eagles and Commanders.
The Chicago Bears, despite their own struggles in 2024, are also set to face a tough schedule. Their opponents have a combined winning percentage of .571, which is the second-highest in the league. The Bears will have to deal with multiple teams from the NFC North and will also face the NFC East and AFC North. This will create a complex set of matchups for the Bears, who will have to adapt to the challenges ahead.
The Detroit Lions, who had an outstanding season in 2024, will also not be spared from the challenges. Their schedule features multiple matchups against playoff teams, including the Packers, Vikings, and Colts. However, the Lions have also lost key coordinators, which could affect their performance. As a result, they will have to manage both their schedule and their internal changes to remain competitive.
While the NFL’s schedule is designed to be competitive, the differences in difficulty can have a significant impact on the teams that face them. The Giants, Bears, and Lions will have to work harder to overcome these challenges and prove that they can rise to the occasion. The upcoming season will be a test of their resilience and ability to adapt to the difficult paths set before them.