The San Francisco 49ers won the NFC West en route to a Super Bowl appearance in 2023, while the Los Angeles Rams surprised many by making it to the postseason.
Where do those two teams, as well as the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, fall in Pro Football Network’s NFL strength of schedule rankings for the 2024 season?
With training camps underway, let’s dive into the upcoming schedule.
1) Seattle Seahawks (13th overall)
Although the upcoming campaign could be a transitional year for the Seahawks as they adapt to first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle undoubtedly has the roster to compete for a playoff spot in 2024.
How they fare against the 49ers and Rams — who went a combined 4-0 against the Seahawks in 2023 — will determine how far Seattle goes.
- Home: Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Packers, Vikings, Giants, Dolphins, Bills, Broncos
- Away: Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Bears, Lions, Falcons, Patriots, Jets
2) Los Angeles Rams (20th overall)
After entering the season near the bottom of most NFL power rankings, the Rams surprised en route to 10 wins and a playoff appearance. Can they overtake the 49ers and win their first NFC West championship in three years?
Los Angeles has a slightly easier schedule than San Francisco, which has yet to appear on our list.
- Home: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Eagles, Bills, Dolphins, Raiders
- Away: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks, Lions, Bears, Saints, Patriots, Jets
3) Arizona Cardinals (21st overall)
Arizona didn’t have many 2023 highlights outside of its upset victories over the Eagles and Cowboys. Still, Kyler Murray looked more comfortable in the Cardinals’ offense as the season progressed (as you might expect from a QB who didn’t play until Week 10 while recovering from a torn ACL).
Although Arizona might be a year away from contending, a draft haul that included WR Marvin Harrison Jr., EDGE Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, and RB Trey Benson is cause for celebration.
- Home: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Bears, Lions, Commanders, Patriots, Jets, Chargers
- Away: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Panthers, Dolphins, Bills
4) San Francisco 49ers (27th overall)
The 49ers will face one of the NFL’s most difficult slates after narrowly losing Super Bowl 58 to the Chiefs. However, sportsbooks don’t mind, as San Francisco is still tied for the league’s highest 2024 win total (11.5).
MORE: Try PFN’s 2024 NFL Playoff Predictor
Brock Purdy and Co. went 5-1 against the NFC West in 2023, with their only loss coming in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Rams in which Darnold started. Can they dominate the division again next season?
- Home: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Bears, Lions, Cowboys, Jets, Patriots, Chiefs
- Away: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Bills
