The San Francisco 49ers will be facing a significant rest disadvantage compared to their opponents in the upcoming 2024 NFL season. Their -22 net rest differential for the season ranks as the third-worst in the NFL since 2002, marking two consecutive seasons where the team has been at a significant rest disadvantage. Their scheduling woes include playing four games against opponents coming off a bye week, with tough matchups against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills.
The 49ers are the only team in the league scheduled to play at least four games against opponents coming off a bye week in the 2024 season. The Indianapolis Colts are the only other team with at least three such games on their schedule. Last season, the 49ers faced teams coming off a bye week while at a rest disadvantage three times, resulting in losses to the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and a win against the Arizona Cardinals. There will also be two instances where the team plays opponents who have three additional days of rest due to playing on “Thursday Night Football” the week before.
Despite the challenging schedule and rest differentials, the 49ers were able to navigate their rest disadvantage in the 2023 season and secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed. As they aim to make another run at the Super Bowl, they will once again have to overcome the difficult schedule hurdles they faced last season. The team will need to find ways to win against opponents with extended rest periods, including key matchups against strong teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills. It will be a tough test for the 49ers, but they will need to find ways to overcome their scheduling disadvantages to achieve their goals for the season.
