fantasy strength of schedule – Syndication Server

2023 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks

Desmond Ridder faces the best schedule of any NFL quarterback.

The Huddle created the fantasy football schedule strength by positions in 1997 and has continuously tweaked and refined it. This provides an early expectation for your fantasy players by applying the averages allowed by defenses last year to current schedules.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, which creates 64 individual “defensive matchups” depending on the game location.

The scoring was a point for every 20 passing yards and four-point touchdowns. Rushing is a point for every 10 yards and six-point scores. The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses to quarterbacks are at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense, according to their schedule using the averages allowed in 2022 by those defenses.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft by considering the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22.

Notable schedules

Desmond Ridder (ATL) – The only “bad” games that the Falcons face are homestands against the Texans and Buccaneers. And the Texans usually lost to the run anyway. The Atlanta offense enters Year 2 under HC Arthur Smith with spotty results last season, but the schedule won’t get in the way of Ridder showing improvement in his second season.

Jimmy Garoppolo (LV) – Almost half of the Raiders games face bottom-22 defensive venues and Garoppolo isn’t going to bother with taking off on a run. The Las Vegas offense looks to get more conservative, but HC Josh McDaniels second season gets a schedule gift when they pass.

Derek Carr (NO) – The Saints open with a tough stretch of three bad matchups in their first six games, but it gets far kinder the rest of the way with six of the seven matchups facing weaker defensive venues from Week 7 through 14. He’ll finish better than he starts and the Saints return all three starters at wideout.

Jared Goff (DET) – Four of the first six games are advantageous matchups that should get the Lions’ offense get on track while they integrate Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Marvin Jones into the system. Jameson Williams misses the opening weeks but adds to the crew when the schedule turns average the rest of the way.

Justin Fields (CHI) – Fields used his legs to produce most fantasy points last year, but the Bears added DJ Moore to Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, and Fields faces an NFL-best nine games against the lesser defensive venues from last year. That should help even out his fantasy points if he ends up rushing less and passing more often.

Kyler Murray (ARI) – He tore his ACL late last year and his return date isn’t yet certain. Whenever he does show up, it will be to a new offensive scheme and the worst schedule of any NFL quarterback – eight bad matchups and not one good game. Adding the schedule to Murray’s injury situation and all of the Cardinals fantasy players get rightfully dinged.

Brock Purdy/Trey Lance/Sam Darnold (SF) – The 49ers are a great team and a very complex offense. There’s no certainty which quarterback plays when, and no matter who is under center, they go against one of the toughest schedules in the league. It all improves starting in Week 14 with just one more bad matchup, but seven of their first 12 games face tougher matchups than most.

Sam Howell (WAS) -The keys to the offense are given to second-year quarterback Sam Howell, but he starts out with five of his first seven games playing in tough defensive venues. The schedule clears up starting in Week 8 but a slow start is always a problem in fantasy football.

2023 weekly schedule strength by team

Wk	ARI	ATL	BAL	BUF	CAR	CHI	CIN	CLE
1	@WAS	CAR	HOU	@NYJ	@ATL	GB	@CLE	CIN
2	NYG	GB	@CIN	LV	NO	@TB	BAL	@PIT
3	DAL	@DET	IND	@WAS	@SEA	@KC	LAR	TEN
4	@SF	@JAC	@CLE	MIA	MIN	DEN	@TEN	BAL
5	CIN	HOU	@PIT	JAC	@DET	@WAS	@ARI	BYE
6	@LAR	WAS	@TEN	NYG	@MIA	MIN	SEA	SF
7	@SEA	@TB	DET	@NE	BYE	LV	BYE	@IND
8	BAL	@TEN	@ARI	TB	HOU	@LAC	@SF	@SEA
9	@CLE	MIN	SEA	@CIN	IND	@NO	BUF	ARI
10	ATL	@ARI	CLE	DEN	@CHI	CAR	HOU	@BAL
11	@HOU	BYE	CIN	NYJ	DAL	@DET	@BAL	PIT
12	LAR	NO	@LAC	@PHI	@TEN	@MIN	PIT	@DEN
13	@PIT	@NYJ	BYE	BYE	@TB	BYE	@JAC	@LAR
14	BYE	TB	LAR	@KC	@NO	DET	IND	JAC
15	SF	@CAR	@JAC	DAL	ATL	@CLE	MIN	CHI
16	@CHI	IND	@SF	@LAC	GB	ARI	@PIT	@HOU
17	@PHI	@CHI	MIA	NE	@JAC	ATL	@KC	NYJ
18	SEA	@NO	PIT	@MIA	TB	@GB	CLE	@CIN
Wk	DAL	DEN	DET	GB	HOU	IND	JAC	KC
1	@NYG	LV	@KC	@CHI	@BAL	JAC	@IND	DET
2	NYJ	WAS	SEA	@ATL	IND	@HOU	KC	@JAC
3	@ARI	@MIA	ATL	NO	@JAC	@BAL	HOU	CHI
4	NE	@CHI	@GB	DET	PIT	LAR	ATL	@NYJ
5	@SF	NYJ	CAR	@LV	@ATL	TEN	@BUF	@MIN
6	@LAC	@KC	@TB	BYE	NO	@JAC	IND	DEN
7	BYE	GB	@BAL	@DEN	BYE	CLE	@NO	LAC
8	LAR	KC	LV	MIN	@CAR	NO	@PIT	@DEN
9	@PHI	BYE	BYE	LAR	TB	@CAR	BYE	MIA
10	NYG	@BUF	@LAC	@PIT	@CIN	@NE	SF	BYE
11	@CAR	MIN	CHI	LAC	ARI	BYE	TEN	PHI
12	WAS	CLE	GB	@DET	JAC	TB	@HOU	@LV
13	SEA	@HOU	@NO	KC	DEN	@TEN	CIN	@GB
14	PHI	@LAC	@CHI	@NYG	@NYJ	@CIN	@CLE	BUF
15	@BUF	@DET	DEN	TB	@TEN	PIT	BAL	@NE
16	@MIA	NE	@MIN	@CAR	CLE	@ATL	@TB	LV
17	DET	LAC	@DAL	@MIN	TEN	LV	CAR	CIN
18	@WAS	@LV	MIN	CHI	@IND	HOU	@TEN	@LAC
Wk	LAC	LAR	LV	MIA	MIN	NE	NO	NYG
1	MIA	@SEA	@DEN	@LAC	TB	PHI	TEN	DAL
2	@TEN	SF	@BUF	@NE	@PHI	MIA	@CAR	@ARI
3	@MIN	@CIN	PIT	DEN	LAC	@NYJ	@GB	@SF
4	LV	@IND	@LAC	@BUF	@CAR	@DAL	TB	SEA
5	BYE	PHI	GB	NYG	KC	NO	@NE	@MIA
6	DAL	ARI	NE	CAR	@CHI	@LV	@HOU	@BUF
7	@KC	PIT	@CHI	@PHI	SF	BUF	JAC	WAS
8	CHI	@DAL	@DET	NE	@GB	@MIA	@IND	NYJ
9	@NYJ	@GB	NYG	@KC	@ATL	WAS	CHI	@LV
10	DET	BYE	NYJ	BYE	NO	IND	@MIN	@DAL
11	@GB	SEA	@MIA	LV	@DEN	BYE	BYE	@WAS
12	BAL	@ARI	KC	@NYJ	CHI	@NYG	@ATL	NE
13	@NE	CLE	BYE	@WAS	BYE	LAC	DET	BYE
14	DEN	@BAL	MIN	TEN	@LV	@PIT	CAR	GB
15	@LV	WAS	LAC	NYJ	@CIN	KC	NYG	@NO
16	BUF	NO	@KC	DAL	DET	@DEN	@LAR	@PHI
17	@DEN	@NYG	@IND	@BAL	GB	@BUF	@TB	LAR
18	KC	@SF	DEN	BUF	@DET	NYJ	ATL	PHI
Wk	NYJ	PHI	PIT	SEA	SF	TB	TEN	WAS
1	BUF	@NE	SF	LAR	@PIT	@MIN	@NO	ARI
2	@DAL	MIN	CLE	@DET	@LAR	CHI	LAC	@DEN
3	NE	@TB	@LV	CAR	NYG	PHI	@CLE	BUF
4	KC	WAS	@HOU	@NYG	ARI	@NO	CIN	@PHI
5	@DEN	@LAR	BAL	BYE	DAL	BYE	@IND	CHI
6	PHI	@NYJ	BYE	@CIN	@CLE	DET	BAL	@ATL
7	BYE	MIA	@LAR	ARI	@MIN	ATL	BYE	@NYG
8	@NYG	@WAS	JAC	CLE	CIN	@BUF	ATL	PHI
9	LAC	DAL	TEN	@BAL	BYE	@HOU	@PIT	@NE
10	@LV	BYE	GB	WAS	@JAC	TEN	@TB	@SEA
11	@BUF	@KC	@CLE	@LAR	TB	@SF	@JAC	NYG
12	MIA	BUF	@CIN	SF	@SEA	@IND	CAR	@DAL
13	ATL	SF	ARI	@DAL	@PHI	CAR	IND	MIA
14	HOU	@DAL	NE	@SF	SEA	@ATL	@MIA	BYE
15	@MIA	@SEA	@IND	PHI	@ARI	@GB	HOU	@LAR
16	WAS	NYG	CIN	@TEN	BAL	JAC	SEA	@NYJ
17	@CLE	ARI	@SEA	PIT	@WAS	NO	@HOU	SF
18	@NE	@NYG	@BAL	@ARI	LAR	@CAR	JAC	DAL

Fantasy points per venue allowed to quarterbacks

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for quarterbacks.

Enjoy this early special content release? Check out the remaining positions by signing up to our 2023 Draft Guide, which goes live June 15!

First look at the 2023 NFL Schedule of Opponents

The schedule of opponents are an early indication of which teams appear in line for an easy or tough slate of games for 2023.

The NFL already knows which teams are meeting each year, but the order is not published until early May because everything is a big deal when the NFL can make some sponsorship coin from rolling it out on the NFL channel. The Huddle will have all the same schedule strength analysis once that is available in May, but for now, there are some diehard fantasy leaguers and dynasty team owners that want a preliminary view of the NFL schedule.

Once the order is published, there’s plenty to study regarding who has a soft opening stretch, who has a tough slate during the fantasy playoffs, and the like. And of course, which team has that Week 14 bye that impacts large contests.

Let’s start with the schedule of opponents with the divisional matchups removed since they are a part of every season.

Schedule of Opponents (non-divisional)


ARI	ATL	BAL	CIN	DAL	NYG	@CHI	@CLE	@HOU	@PHI	@PIT	@WAS
ATL	GB	HOU	IND	MIN	WAS	@ARI	@CHI	@DET	@JAC	@NYJ	@TEN
BAL	DET	HOU	IND	LAR	MIA	SEA	@ARI	@JAC	@LAC	@SF	@TEN
BUF	DAL	DEN	JAC	LV	NYG	TB	@CIN	@KC	@LAC	@PHI	@WAS
CAR	DAL	GB	HOU	IND	MIN	@CHI	@DET	@JAC	@MIA	@SEA	@TEN
CHI	ARI	ATL	CAR	DEN	LV	@CLE	@KC	@LAC	@NO	@TB	@WAS
CIN	BUF	HOU	IND	LAR	MIN	SEA	@ARI	@JAC	@KC	@SF	@TEN
CLE	ARI	CHI	JAC	NYJ	SF	TEN	@DEN	@HOU	@IND	@LAR	@SEA
DAL	DET	LAR	NE	NYJ	SEA	@ARI	@BUF	@CAR	@LAC	@MIA	@SF
DEN	CLE	GB	MIN	NE	NYJ	WAS	@BUF	@CHI	@DET	@HOU	@MIA
DET	ATL	CAR	DEN	LV	SEA	@BAL	@DAL	@KC	@LAC	@NO	@TB
GB	KC	LAC	LAR	NO	TB	@ATL	@CAR	@DEN	@LV	@NYG	@PIT
HOU	ARI	CLE	DEN	NO	PIT	TB	@ATL	@BAL	@CAR	@CIN	@NYJ
IND	CLE	LV	LAR	NO	PIT	TB	@ATL	@BAL	@CAR	@CIN	@NE
JAC	ATL	BAL	CAR	CIN	KC	SF	@BUF	@CLE	@NO	@PIT	@TB
KC	BUF	CHI	CIN	DET	MIA	PHI	@GB	@JAC	@MIN	@NE	@NYJ
LAC	BAL	BUF	CHI	DAL	DET	MIA	@GB	@MIN	@NE	@NYJ	@TEN
LAR	CLE	NO	PHI	PIT	WAS	@BAL	@CIN	@DAL	@GB	@IND	@NYG
LV	GB	MIN	NE	NYG	NYJ	PIT	@BUF	@CHI	@DET	@IND	@MIA
MIA	CAR	DAL	DEN	LV	NYG	TEN	@BAL	@KC	@LAC	@PHI	@WAS
MIN	KC	LAC	NO	SF	TB	@ATL	@CAR	@CIN	@DEN	@LV	@PHI
NE	IND	KC	LAC	NO	PHI	WAS	@DAL	@DEN	@LV	@NYG	@PIT
NO	CHI	DET	JAC	NYG	TEN	@GB	@HOU	@IND	@LAR	@MIN	@NE
NYG	GB	LAR	NE	NYJ	SEA	@ARI	@BUF	@LV	@MIA	@NO	@SF
NYJ	ATL	HOU	KC	LAC	PHI	WAS	@CLE	@DAL	@DEN	@LV	@NYG
PHI	ARI	BUF	MIA	MIN	SF	@KC	@LAR	@NE	@NYJ	@SEA	@TB
PIT	ARI	GB	JAC	NE	SF	TEN	@HOU	@IND	@LV	@LAR	@SEA
SEA	CAR	CLE	PHI	PIT	WAS	@BAL	@CIN	@DAL	@DET	@NYG	@TEN
SF	BAL	CIN	DAL	NYG	TB	@CLE	@JAC	@MIN	@PHI	@PIT	@WAS
TB	CHI	DET	JAC	PHI	TEN	@BUF	@GB	@HOU	@IND	@MIN	@SF
TEN	ATL	BAL	CAR	CIN	LAC	SEA	@CLE	@MIA	@NO	@PIT	@TB
WAS	ARI	BUF	CHI	MIA	SF	@ATL	@DEN	@LAR	@NE	@NYJ	@SEA

Just for an added consideration, I applied what defenses allowed for passing and rushing last year against the 2023 schedule of opponents (including the divisional matchups, of course). The actual schedule strength for positions will come out in May when the schedule order is released, but for now, this is just an overall look at the passing and rushing totals allowed by each defense last year applied to the 17-game non-ordered schedule for each team.

Total Fantasy Points – Pass

Only the extremes hold any real interest and this is just one of many tools you should use. The Saints, Bears, Raiders, Jaguars, and Chargers hold the top numbers. There should be new quarterbacks at the Saints and Bears, so at least they’ll face a lighter schedule. Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert look to at least hold their value from last year but both should see at least minor changes in their receivers that will also have an impact.

The Rams faced a bad schedule even beyond their injury woes last year, and the schedule doesn’t improve for 2023. Deshaun Watson opens his career with the Browns but his opponents won’t help him find the same success from a couple of years ago. Kyler Murray returns, probably, from his ACL tear and also bounces against a tougher slate. There are a number of receivers that may be changing teams, along with the influx of rookies that will impact team rosters, so again – the schedule is interesting but by no means the biggest impact to player success.

Total Fantasy Points – Rush

The rushing schedule strength is always the most accurate and the NFC North backfields catch a break this season thanks in part to matching up to the NFC South. The Lions and Vikings backfields may undergo transition but it’s a favorable season for them. The NFC South not only plays their own division, but also the AFC South for a softer set of matchups. This will be much more explored in May once the schedule order is released, but the NFC North and NFC South should remain among the lightest schedules for running backs.

The NFC East and AFC East backfields face tougher opponents than most. The Dolphins and Bills rely on committee backfields and are speculated to add more help in the offseason. Combined with the worst schedules won’t help new additions to generate fantasy points. There’s a chance that Saquon Barkley could be leaving the Giants but his replacement will be hard pressed to repeat the success of the Giants’ backfield of last season.

The most extreme values are the only ones with any real interest at this early date and before the all-important order of games is released. And while schedule analysis is only one of many measurements for a player, it is a worthwhile consideration even in this high-level look.

2022 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Running Backs

2022 fantasy strength of schedule for running backs

Schedule strength for running backs considers both rushing and receiving yards as today’s players rarely rely on just running production anymore. The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, which creates 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is played.

The scoring was a point for every ten yards rushing or receiving, six-point touchdowns, and a point per reception. The average fantasy points allowed to running backs are at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

Below are the total points for each backfield according to their schedule, using the averages allowed in 2021 by those defenses.

BUF	DET	CHI	SEA	MIA	NE	BAL	CAR	LAC	WAS	IND
422	412	412	411	411	410	410	409	407	406	406
KC	DEN	NYJ	SF	DAL	NO	JAC	CLE	TEN	ARI
405	403	402	401	401	400	398	397	396	395
CIN	PHI	LAR	GB	MIN	PIT	ATL	NYG	HOU	TB	LV
394	393	393	393	392	392	389	388	385	381	381

The differences do not appear dramatic. And the Bills and Lions are primarily passing teams with committee backfields. David Montgomery is nicely situated but will be in a new offense. The Seahawks, Dolphins, Patriots, and Ravens are the next best, but all also rely on a combination of several running backs.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft by considering the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games against a Top-22 venue from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the Bottom-22. Bye weeks were also considered as “bad”.

Notable schedules

Antonio Gibson / J.D. McKissic (WAS) – The Commanders’ schedule is very advantageous for their running backs. As it works out, they battle three bad matchups by Week 6 but then the only remaining negative is a Week 14 bye. Better yet, six of their final nine weeks contain weaker defenses and Weeks 15 and 17 are at home versus the Giants and Browns. The workload looks to be more distributed this year, and there is the specter of Brian Robinson Jr. cutting into the workload. By midseason, the schedule looks profitable for the backfield.

Ravens Backfield (BAL) – One of the murkier backfields gets a lighter slate of games. Both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards return from injury, Mike Davis was added and Tyler Baddie was drafted. The best part of this schedule is Weeks 1 to 8 which contain five soft matchups and no bad ones. The second half of the season is much less favorable, but at least they end up with home games against the Falcons and Steelers during fantasy playoffs.

D’Andre Swift / Jamaal Williams (DET) – The Lions face one of the better schedules for running backs with a nice opening to the season with three of five matchups favorable and ending with only one tough venue in the final seven games of the fantasy season. D’Andre Swift already enters 2022 with promise, and his schedule will work with him if he can stay healthy.

Rashaad Penny / Kenneth Walker (SEA) – The respective roles are up for grabs in the Seattle backfield, but an intention to run more and a kind schedule should help. After Week 6, the only negatives are the bye and Week 14 versus the 49ers. Overall, this could let the rookie Kenneth Walker shine if Rashaad Penny continues to have injury issues. Fantasy championships at home versus the Jets sound like a winner.

Devin Singletary / James Cook (BUF) – Another backfield with less clarity after the Bills made James Cook as the third running back taken in the NFL draft. Devin Singletary likely remains the primary back but faces a tough opening with three bad matchups over the initial four games. It clears up the rest of the way with only a bye and Week 16 at the Bears, but otherwise, they enjoy seven favorable matchups between Weeks 5 to 14.

Dalvin Cook (MIN) – The Vikings’ stud running back has already fallen in fantasy drafts this year and that’s likely compounded with a glance at his schedule. Cook battles a brutal stretch between Weeks 4 and 12, with every matchup in a tough venue other than hosting the Bears in Week 5 as a neutral pairing. It lightens over the final five games but still plays the Colts and at the Packers during fantasy playoffs.

Najee Harris (PIT) – The top rookie rusher last year, Najee Harris was a fantasy goldmine but he’ll have a tougher time repeating with a new quarterback and a schedule that contains just three favorable venues against eight top defenses plus a bye week. Even his fantasy playoffs holds road trips to the Panthers and Ravens.

Josh Jacobs / Kenyan Drake (LV) – There’s a chance that even the rookie Zamir White could also limit what Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake accomplish this year. Jacobs star isn’t as bright, and Drake returns from a broken ankle. Worse yet, after opening at the Chargers, the Raiders don’t have a favorable matchup until Week 12. And when you need them the most, this backfield faces the 49ers, Patriots and Steelers during fantasy playoffs.

2022 weekly grid

Week	ARI	ATL	BAL	BUF	CAR	CHI	CIN	CLE
1	KC	NO	@NYJ	@LAR	CLE	SF	PIT	@CAR
2	@LV	@LAR	MIA	TEN	@NYG	@GB	@DAL	NYJ
3	LAR	@SEA	@NE	@MIA	NO	HOU	@NYJ	PIT
4	@CAR	CLE	BUF	@BAL	ARI	@NYG	MIA	@ATL
5	PHI	@TB	CIN	PIT	SF	@MIN	@BAL	LAC
6	@SEA	SF	@NYG	@KC	@LAR	WAS	@NO	NE
7	NO	@CIN	CLE	bye	TB	@NE	ATL	@BAL
8	@MIN	CAR	@TB	GB	@ATL	@DAL	@CLE	CIN
9	SEA	LAC	@NO	@NYJ	@CIN	MIA	CAR	bye
10	@LAR	@CAR	bye	MIN	ATL	DET	bye	@MIA
11	SF	CHI	CAR	CLE	@BAL	@ATL	@PIT	@BUF
12	LAC	@WAS	@JAC	@DET	DEN	@NYJ	@TEN	TB
13	bye	PIT	DEN	@NE	bye	GB	KC	@HOU
14	NE	bye	@PIT	NYJ	@SEA	bye	CLE	@CIN
15	@DEN	@NO	@CLE	MIA	PIT	PHI	@TB	BAL
16	TB	@BAL	ATL	@CHI	DET	BUF	@NE	NO
17	@ATL	ARI	PIT	@CIN	@TB	@DET	BUF	@WAS
18	@SF	TB	@CIN	NE	@NO	MIN	BAL	@PIT
	DAL	DEN	DET	GB	HOU	IND	JAC	KC
1	TB	@SEA	PHI	@MIN	IND	@HOU	@WAS	@ARI
2	CIN	HOU	WAS	CHI	@DEN	@JAC	IND	LAC
3	@NYG	SF	@MIN	@TB	@CHI	KC	@LAC	@IND
4	WAS	@LV	SEA	NE	LAC	TEN	@PHI	@TB
5	@LAR	IND	@NE	NYG	@JAC	@DEN	HOU	LV
6	@PHI	@LAC	bye	NYJ	bye	JAC	@IND	BUF
7	DET	NYJ	@DAL	@WAS	@LV	@TEN	NYG	@SF
8	CHI	@JAC	MIA	@BUF	TEN	WAS	DEN	bye
9	bye	bye	GB	@DET	PHI	@NE	LV	TEN
10	@GB	@TEN	@CHI	DAL	@NYG	@LV	@KC	JAC
11	@MIN	LV	@NYG	TEN	WAS	PHI	bye	@LAC
12	NYG	@CAR	BUF	@PHI	@MIA	PIT	BAL	LAR
13	IND	@BAL	JAC	@CHI	CLE	@DAL	@DET	@CIN
14	HOU	KC	MIN	bye	@DAL	bye	@TEN	@DEN
15	@JAC	ARI	@NYJ	LAR	KC	@MIN	DAL	@HOU
16	PHI	@LAR	@CAR	@MIA	@TEN	LAC	@NYJ	SEA
17	@TEN	@KC	CHI	MIN	JAC	@NYG	@HOU	DEN
18	@WAS	LAC	@GB	DET	@IND	HOU	TEN	@LV
	LAC	LAR	LV	MIA	MIN	NE	NO	NYG
1	LV	BUF	@LAC	NE	GB	@MIA	@ATL	@TEN
2	@KC	ATL	ARI	@BAL	@PHI	@PIT	TB	CAR
3	JAC	@ARI	@TEN	BUF	DET	BAL	@CAR	DAL
4	@HOU	@SF	DEN	@CIN	@NO	@GB	MIN	CHI
5	@CLE	DAL	@KC	@NYJ	CHI	DET	SEA	@GB
6	DEN	CAR	bye	MIN	@MIA	@CLE	CIN	BAL
7	SEA	bye	HOU	PIT	bye	CHI	@ARI	@JAC
8	bye	SF	@NO	@DET	ARI	@NYJ	LV	@SEA
9	@ATL	@TB	@JAC	@CHI	@WAS	IND	BAL	bye
10	@SF	ARI	IND	CLE	@BUF	bye	@PIT	HOU
11	KC	@NO	@DEN	bye	DAL	NYJ	LAR	DET
12	@ARI	@KC	@SEA	HOU	NE	@MIN	@SF	@DAL
13	@LV	SEA	LAC	@SF	NYJ	BUF	@TB	WAS
14	MIA	LV	@LAR	@LAC	@DET	@ARI	bye	PHI
15	TEN	@GB	NE	@BUF	IND	@LV	ATL	@WAS
16	@IND	DEN	@PIT	GB	NYG	CIN	@CLE	@MIN
17	LAR	@LAC	SF	@NE	@GB	MIA	@PHI	IND
18	@DEN	@SEA	KC	NYJ	@CHI	@BUF	CAR	@PHI
	NYJ	PHI	PIT	SEA	SF	TB	TEN	WAS
1	BAL	@DET	@CIN	DEN	@CHI	@DAL	NYG	JAC
2	@CLE	MIN	NE	@SF	SEA	@NO	@BUF	@DET
3	CIN	@WAS	@CLE	ATL	@DEN	GB	LV	PHI
4	@PIT	JAC	NYJ	@DET	LAR	KC	@IND	@DAL
5	MIA	@ARI	@BUF	@NO	@CAR	ATL	@WAS	TEN
6	@GB	DAL	TB	ARI	@ATL	@PIT	bye	@CHI
7	@DEN	bye	@MIA	@LAC	KC	@CAR	IND	GB
8	NE	PIT	@PHI	NYG	@LAR	BAL	@HOU	@IND
9	BUF	@HOU	bye	@ARI	bye	LAR	@KC	MIN
10	bye	WAS	NO	@TB	LAC	SEA	DEN	@PHI
11	@NE	@IND	CIN	bye	@ARI	bye	@GB	@HOU
12	CHI	GB	@IND	LV	NO	@CLE	CIN	ATL
13	@MIN	TEN	@ATL	@LAR	MIA	NO	@PHI	@NYG
14	@BUF	@NYG	BAL	CAR	TB	@SF	JAC	bye
15	DET	@CHI	@CAR	SF	@SEA	CIN	@LAC	NYG
16	JAC	@DAL	LV	@KC	WAS	@ARI	HOU	@SF
17	@SEA	NO	@BAL	NYJ	@LV	CAR	DAL	CLE
18	@MIA	NYG	CLE	LAR	ARI	@ATL	@JAC	DAL

Fantasy points allowed per game to running backs

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for running backs.

NYJ	36.1	@SF	24.7	@BUF	21.5
DET	31.1	@PHI	24.7	@DEN	21.5
@SEA	30.8	@ATL	24.6	TB	21.3
SEA	30.7	@KC	24.6	NE	21.2
PIT	29.7	HOU	24.6	@NO	20.9
@NYJ	29.6	MIA	24.5	@CHI	20.8
@NYG	27.1	@CIN	24.3	@CLE	20.6
@LVR	26.9	@MIN	24.2	@PIT	20.6
LVR	26.4	@TB	24.1	TEN	20.5
CIN	26.1	KC	23.6	DAL	20.5
@LAC	26.0	@IND	23.5	@DAL	20.3
@NE	25.9	GB	23.4	@CAR	20.3
WAS	25.8	PHI	23.3	@BAL	20.2
@HOU	25.6	CHI	23.0	@MIA	20.2
CLE	25.5	@ARI	22.9	@GB	20.1
ATL	25.3	BAL	22.5	@WAS	20.1
NYG	25.2	DEN	22.2	ARI	19.6
@LAR	25.2	@JAC	22.2	SF	19.3
LAC	25.1	CAR	21.9	LAR	18.9
MIN	25.0	BUF	21.9	IND	18.0
JAC	24.9			@TEN	17.4
@DET	24.9			NO	16.8

2022 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks

2022 fantasy strength of schedule for quarterbacks

The Huddle created the fantasy football schedule strength by positions back in 1997 and has continuously tweaked and refined it. This provides an early expectation for your fantasy players by applying the averages allowed by defenses last year to current schedules.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, which creates 64 individual “defensive matchups” depending on the game location.

The scoring was a point for every 20 passing yards and four -point touchdowns. Rushing is a point for every ten yards and six-point scores. The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses to quarterbacks are at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense according to their schedule using the averages allowed in 2021 by those defenses.

PHI	WAS	BUF	CIN	JAC	IND	HOU	SF	DET	CHI	LAC
401	400	396	394	391	390	389	388	387	385	384
DEN	NYG	TB	ATL	NO	SEA	GB	DAL	CAR	TEN
383	383	382	382	382	379	378	378	378	377
MIN	MIA	KC	NE	BAL	LAR	CLE	ARI	LV	PIT	NYJ
377	375	374	373	370	369	367	365	362	362	356

The Eagles fare the best – nice timing with an upgraded set of receivers. The poor Jets catch no break with the toughest overall schedule fantasy point-wise for quarterbacks. The addition of Davante Adams in Las Vegas comes at an opportune time for David Carr since he and Kyler Murray face a more daunting overall schedule.

Weekly Play

Notable schedules

Carson Wentz (WAS) – He’s been below-average for the last couple of seasons, but Wentz lands in an opportune spot with Terry McLaurin and the rookie Jahan Dotson as starting wideouts and the lightest schedule of any quarterback. He opens the year with nine favorable matchups against just one bad game over the first 12 weeks before ending the season with a less advantageous stretch. For those who like to stream quarterbacks, Wentz should be a consideration.

Josh Allen (BUF) – He’s the consensus No. 1 fantasy quarterback again this year, so he doesn’t need any help. But Allen only faces an opening schedule at the Rams and at the Dolphins in the first three weeks, then the two matchups versus the Patriots are the only bad matchups the rest of the way.

Jalen Hurts (PHI) – When the Eagles acquired A.J. Brown, Hurts fantasy stock already took a bump up. Add that to second-year DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert and Hurts should see better stats opening up with just one bad matchup over his first 13 games while facing nine of the more advantageous defensive venues. His playoff stretch is much less appealing with a string of road games when fantasy leagues are ending.

Trevor Lawrence (JAC) – Last season’s 1.01 draft pick, Lawrence suffered through a nightmarish rookie campaign complete with losing layers of offensive starters and arguably the worst coaching situation in recent history. The receivers were upgraded with Evan Engram and Christian Kirk, and Travis Etienne gets his mulligan from a lost rookie year. Add that to a more fortunate slate of games that opens lightly without a bad matchup until the Broncos in Week 8 and four of the final six weeks versus the weaker secondaries of last year.

Joe Burrow (CIN) – Like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow is already better than any schedule, but he still lands one of the better opening stretches in the league with soft matchups in each of his first seven games. He’ll be more challenged to finish up fantasy playoffs with road venues in Tampa Bay and New England, and then hosting the Bills in Week 17.

Zach Wilson (NYJ) – The Jets have retooled and should see more success on offense in head coach Robert Saleh’s second season. But Zach Wilson will be fighting the worst schedule of any NFL quarterback. Starting in Week 2, he enjoys only one of the lighter defensive matchups while going against the better secondaries in almost every game until, mercifully, facing the visiting Jaguars in Week 16.

Kyler Murray (ARI) – The schedule is a new complication for Kyler Murray. The Cardinals open against the visiting Chiefs and never again face a defensive venue in the Bottom-20 from last year. Neutral games against the Buccaneers and Falcons end the fantasy season, but there’s no advantage to this schedule along the way.

2022 weekly schedule strength by team

	ARI	ATL	BAL	BUF	CAR	CHI	CIN	CLE
1	KC	NO	@NYJ	@LAR	CLE	SF	PIT	@CAR
2	@LV	@LAR	MIA	TEN	@NYG	@GB	@DAL	NYJ
3	LAR	@SEA	@NE	@MIA	NO	HOU	@NYJ	PIT
4	@CAR	CLE	BUF	@BAL	ARI	@NYG	MIA	@ATL
5	PHI	@TB	CIN	PIT	SF	@MIN	@BAL	LAC
6	@SEA	SF	@NYG	@KC	@LAR	WAS	@NO	NE
7	NO	@CIN	CLE	bye	TB	@NE	ATL	@BAL
8	@MIN	CAR	@TB	GB	@ATL	@DAL	@CLE	CIN
9	SEA	LAC	@NO	@NYJ	@CIN	MIA	CAR	bye
10	@LAR	@CAR	bye	MIN	ATL	DET	bye	@MIA
11	SF	CHI	CAR	CLE	@BAL	@ATL	@PIT	@BUF
12	LAC	@WAS	@JAC	@DET	DEN	@NYJ	@TEN	TB
13	bye	PIT	DEN	@NE	bye	GB	KC	@HOU
14	NE	bye	@PIT	NYJ	@SEA	bye	CLE	@CIN
15	@DEN	@NO	@CLE	MIA	PIT	PHI	@TB	BAL
16	TB	@BAL	ATL	@CHI	DET	BUF	@NE	NO
17	@ATL	ARI	PIT	@CIN	@TB	@DET	BUF	@WAS
18	@SF	TB	@CIN	NE	@NO	MIN	BAL	@PIT
	DAL	DEN	DET	GB	HOU	IND	JAC	KC
1	TB	@SEA	PHI	@MIN	IND	@HOU	@WAS	@ARI
2	CIN	HOU	WAS	CHI	@DEN	@JAC	IND	LAC
3	@NYG	SF	@MIN	@TB	@CHI	KC	@LAC	@IND
4	WAS	@LV	SEA	NE	LAC	TEN	@PHI	@TB
5	@LAR	IND	@NE	NYG	@JAC	@DEN	HOU	LV
6	@PHI	@LAC	bye	NYJ	bye	JAC	@IND	BUF
7	DET	NYJ	@DAL	@WAS	@LV	@TEN	NYG	@SF
8	CHI	@JAC	MIA	@BUF	TEN	WAS	DEN	bye
9	bye	bye	GB	@DET	PHI	@NE	LV	TEN
10	@GB	@TEN	@CHI	DAL	@NYG	@LV	@KC	JAC
11	@MIN	LV	@NYG	TEN	WAS	PHI	bye	@LAC
12	NYG	@CAR	BUF	@PHI	@MIA	PIT	BAL	LAR
13	IND	@BAL	JAC	@CHI	CLE	@DAL	@DET	@CIN
14	HOU	KC	MIN	bye	@DAL	bye	@TEN	@DEN
15	@JAC	ARI	@NYJ	LAR	KC	@MIN	DAL	@HOU
16	PHI	@LAR	@CAR	@MIA	@TEN	LAC	@NYJ	SEA
17	@TEN	@KC	CHI	MIN	JAC	@NYG	@HOU	DEN
18	@WAS	LAC	@GB	DET	@IND	HOU	TEN	@LV
	LAC	LAR	LV	MIA	MIN	NE	NO	NYG
1	LV	BUF	@LAC	NE	GB	@MIA	@ATL	@TEN
2	@KC	ATL	ARI	@BAL	@PHI	@PIT	TB	CAR
3	JAC	@ARI	@TEN	BUF	DET	BAL	@CAR	DAL
4	@HOU	@SF	DEN	@CIN	@NO	@GB	MIN	CHI
5	@CLE	DAL	@KC	@NYJ	CHI	DET	SEA	@GB
6	DEN	CAR	bye	MIN	@MIA	@CLE	CIN	BAL
7	SEA	bye	HOU	PIT	bye	CHI	@ARI	@JAC
8	bye	SF	@NO	@DET	ARI	@NYJ	LV	@SEA
9	@ATL	@TB	@JAC	@CHI	@WAS	IND	BAL	bye
10	@SF	ARI	IND	CLE	@BUF	bye	@PIT	HOU
11	KC	@NO	@DEN	bye	DAL	NYJ	LAR	DET
12	@ARI	@KC	@SEA	HOU	NE	@MIN	@SF	@DAL
13	@LV	SEA	LAC	@SF	NYJ	BUF	@TB	WAS
14	MIA	LV	@LAR	@LAC	@DET	@ARI	bye	PHI
15	TEN	@GB	NE	@BUF	IND	@LV	ATL	@WAS
16	@IND	DEN	@PIT	GB	NYG	CIN	@CLE	@MIN
17	LAR	@LAC	SF	@NE	@GB	MIA	@PHI	IND
18	@DEN	@SEA	KC	NYJ	@CHI	@BUF	CAR	@PHI
	NYJ	PHI	PIT	SEA	SF	TB	TEN	WAS
1	BAL	@DET	@CIN	DEN	@CHI	@DAL	NYG	JAC
2	@CLE	MIN	NE	@SF	SEA	@NO	@BUF	@DET
3	CIN	@WAS	@CLE	ATL	@DEN	GB	LV	PHI
4	@PIT	JAC	NYJ	@DET	LAR	KC	@IND	@DAL
5	MIA	@ARI	@BUF	@NO	@CAR	ATL	@WAS	TEN
6	@GB	DAL	TB	ARI	@ATL	@PIT	bye	@CHI
7	@DEN	bye	@MIA	@LAC	KC	@CAR	IND	GB
8	NE	PIT	@PHI	NYG	@LAR	BAL	@HOU	@IND
9	BUF	@HOU	bye	@ARI	bye	LAR	@KC	MIN
10	bye	WAS	NO	@TB	LAC	SEA	DEN	@PHI
11	@NE	@IND	CIN	bye	@ARI	bye	@GB	@HOU
12	CHI	GB	@IND	LV	NO	@CLE	CIN	ATL
13	@MIN	TEN	@ATL	@LAR	MIA	NO	@PHI	@NYG
14	@BUF	@NYG	BAL	CAR	TB	@SF	JAC	bye
15	DET	@CHI	@CAR	SF	@SEA	CIN	@LAC	NYG
16	JAC	@DAL	LV	@KC	WAS	@ARI	HOU	@SF
17	@SEA	NO	@BAL	NYJ	@LV	CAR	DAL	CLE
18	@MIA	NYG	CLE	LAR	ARI	@ATL	@JAC	DAL

Fantasy points per venue allowed to quarterbacks

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for quarterbacks.

KC	29.7	@TB	23.6	@DEN	21.5
WAS	29.6	@CIN	23.6	@SEA	21.5
@PHI	27.4	@IND	23.5	DET	21.4
ATL	26.1	SF	23.3	@NE	21.4
@DAL	26.1	TB	23.1	@CAR	21.3
MIN	26.1	CHI	23.1	DAL	21.2
CLE	25.9	@ARI	23.0	@PIT	20.8
MIA	25.6	@LVR	23.0	LVR	20.8
GB	25.1	@ATL	22.8	CIN	20.5
BAL	25.0	HOU	22.8	@SF	20.3
JAC	24.9	@LAC	22.4	@JAC	20.2
@WAS	24.8	@CHI	22.4	@LAR	20.0
TEN	24.8	LAR	22.3	CAR	19.8
@DET	24.7	@GB	22.3	NO	19.5
@BAL	24.6	ARI	22.2	DEN	19.1
@NO	24.4	@MIN	22.1	BUF	18.6
NYJ	24.3	@TEN	22.1	@NYG	18.6
NYG	24.2	@KC	21.9	@MIA	18.5
IND	24.2	SEA	21.9	@CLE	18.2
@NYJ	24.1	LAC	21.8	PHI	17.8
PIT	24.0			NE	15.2
@HOU	23.9			@BUF	15.1

2022 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Receivers

2022 fantasy strength of schedule for receivers

The strength of schedule for receivers lumps wide receivers and tight ends together since each team uses the positions differently. The reality is that while the overall averages are interesting, no position is as sensitive to individual matchups as are receivers facing particular defensive backs. This makes the analysis less accurate than for running backs and quarterbacks.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, and that creates 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is played.

The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses for receivers last year is at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense according to their schedule using the averages allowed in 2021 by those defenses.

WAS	JAC	BUF	NYG	PHI	ATL	LAC	DEN	KC	CIN	CAR
713	710	710	705	703	701	699	693	692	687	687
CHI	DET	TB	DAL	NO	SEA	IND	GB	NE	SF
685	683	682	682	681	681	681	677	677	677
HOU	TEN	MIA	MIN	LAR	ARI	LV	BAL	NYJ	PIT	CLE
675	675	674	673	672	662	660	659	653	649	646

The NFC East all fare the best while the AFC North goes against the toughest slate of games for receivers. But these are total numbers for all receivers, so they are less revealing for individual performances.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoffs. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22. Bye weeks were considered “Bad”.

Notable schedules

Terry McLaurin / Jahan Dotson (WAS) – The Commanders switch to Carson Wentz at quarterback while Terry McLaurin comes off two straight 1,000-yards season and 1.16 pick Jahan Dotson is expected to start. McLaurin has been light on touchdowns but that should get some relief facing the lightest schedule for receivers. The Commanders only three of the toughest venues and an NFL-high ten games facing favorable matchups. After Week 7, they only face one tough opponent while the new passing game should be coming together.

Marvin Jones / Christian Kirk / Evan Engram (JAC) – While not the flashiest starting wideouts, the Jaguars get a reset from the disaster of 2021, and Trevor Lawrence will use his trio of receivers to get back on track. Other than Weeks 8 to 10, the schedule serves up nine positive matchups and starts with six of the first seven games versus weaker secondaries. After the initial month of the season, it should be apparent if the Jaguars are on the path to improvement.

Kenny Golladay / Kadarius Toney (NYG) -A change in coaching should help the lackluster passing of Daniel Jones, and while the schedule isn’t chock full of light matchups, it is kind with only one game against a tougher venue. It’s a middle-of-the-road slate of opponents but a chance for the new offense to come together.

A.J. Brown / Devonta Smith / Dallas Goedert (PHI) – The expectations for the Eagles shot up with the acquisition of A.J. Brown to the passing offense. A favorable set of opponents only makes improvement even more likely. Their schedule through Week 13 is as advantageous as any in the NFL with eight favorable matchups and no tough weeks. That goes away with three of the four next weeks facing stingy defensive venues right when fantasy playoffs kick off.

Rashod Bateman / Devin Duverney / Mark Andrews (BAL) – The Ravens lost Marquise Brown and are left with only Andrews as a proven receiving weapon. Making it worse – they own the worst schedule for receivers. They face just two favorable matchups, and those are done by Week 7. Bateman is a popular sleeper as the new No. 1 wideout, but he faces eight of the worst defensive venues.

Diontae Johnson / Chase Claypool (PIT) – The Steelers enter their new era without Ben Roethlisberger and could switch quarterbacks during the season. The receivers adjusted to the short-yardage passes last year and while they can once again run downfield, they’ll be shadowed by mostly solid defensive backs. After Week 1, the next six games contain five tough venues. That should slow down progress while the Steelers decide on which quarterback to rely on.

DeAndre Hopkins / Marquise Brown (ARI) – Hopkins is already suspended for six weeks, and after he returns, the Cardinals only enjoy one softer matchup while going against five of the tougher venues over the next seven weeks. With Christian Kirk gone, Kyler Murray has to adjust to new starting wideouts without Hopkins while going against a tougher stretch of games over the first half of the season.

2022 weekly grid

Week	ARI	ATL	BAL	BUF	CAR	CHI	CIN	CLE
1	KC	NO	@NYJ	@LAR	CLE	SF	PIT	@CAR
2	@LV	@LAR	MIA	TEN	@NYG	@GB	@DAL	NYJ
3	LAR	@SEA	@NE	@MIA	NO	HOU	@NYJ	PIT
4	@CAR	CLE	BUF	@BAL	ARI	@NYG	MIA	@ATL
5	PHI	@TB	CIN	PIT	SF	@MIN	@BAL	LAC
6	@SEA	SF	@NYG	@KC	@LAR	WAS	@NO	NE
7	NO	@CIN	CLE	bye	TB	@NE	ATL	@BAL
8	@MIN	CAR	@TB	GB	@ATL	@DAL	@CLE	CIN
9	SEA	LAC	@NO	@NYJ	@CIN	MIA	CAR	bye
10	@LAR	@CAR	bye	MIN	ATL	DET	bye	@MIA
11	SF	CHI	CAR	CLE	@BAL	@ATL	@PIT	@BUF
12	LAC	@WAS	@JAC	@DET	DEN	@NYJ	@TEN	TB
13	bye	PIT	DEN	@NE	bye	GB	KC	@HOU
14	NE	bye	@PIT	NYJ	@SEA	bye	CLE	@CIN
15	@DEN	@NO	@CLE	MIA	PIT	PHI	@TB	BAL
16	TB	@BAL	ATL	@CHI	DET	BUF	@NE	NO
17	@ATL	ARI	PIT	@CIN	@TB	@DET	BUF	@WAS
18	@SF	TB	@CIN	NE	@NO	MIN	BAL	@PIT
	DAL	DEN	DET	GB	HOU	IND	JAC	KC
1	TB	@SEA	PHI	@MIN	IND	@HOU	@WAS	@ARI
2	CIN	HOU	WAS	CHI	@DEN	@JAC	IND	LAC
3	@NYG	SF	@MIN	@TB	@CHI	KC	@LAC	@IND
4	WAS	@LV	SEA	NE	LAC	TEN	@PHI	@TB
5	@LAR	IND	@NE	NYG	@JAC	@DEN	HOU	LV
6	@PHI	@LAC	bye	NYJ	bye	JAC	@IND	BUF
7	DET	NYJ	@DAL	@WAS	@LV	@TEN	NYG	@SF
8	CHI	@JAC	MIA	@BUF	TEN	WAS	DEN	bye
9	bye	bye	GB	@DET	PHI	@NE	LV	TEN
10	@GB	@TEN	@CHI	DAL	@NYG	@LV	@KC	JAC
11	@MIN	LV	@NYG	TEN	WAS	PHI	bye	@LAC
12	NYG	@CAR	BUF	@PHI	@MIA	PIT	BAL	LAR
13	IND	@BAL	JAC	@CHI	CLE	@DAL	@DET	@CIN
14	HOU	KC	MIN	bye	@DAL	bye	@TEN	@DEN
15	@JAC	ARI	@NYJ	LAR	KC	@MIN	DAL	@HOU
16	PHI	@LAR	@CAR	@MIA	@TEN	LAC	@NYJ	SEA
17	@TEN	@KC	CHI	MIN	JAC	@NYG	@HOU	DEN
18	@WAS	LAC	@GB	DET	@IND	HOU	TEN	@LV
	LAC	LAR	LV	MIA	MIN	NE	NO	NYG
1	LV	BUF	@LAC	NE	GB	@MIA	@ATL	@TEN
2	@KC	ATL	ARI	@BAL	@PHI	@PIT	TB	CAR
3	JAC	@ARI	@TEN	BUF	DET	BAL	@CAR	DAL
4	@HOU	@SF	DEN	@CIN	@NO	@GB	MIN	CHI
5	@CLE	DAL	@KC	@NYJ	CHI	DET	SEA	@GB
6	DEN	CAR	bye	MIN	@MIA	@CLE	CIN	BAL
7	SEA	bye	HOU	PIT	bye	CHI	@ARI	@JAC
8	bye	SF	@NO	@DET	ARI	@NYJ	LV	@SEA
9	@ATL	@TB	@JAC	@CHI	@WAS	IND	BAL	bye
10	@SF	ARI	IND	CLE	@BUF	bye	@PIT	HOU
11	KC	@NO	@DEN	bye	DAL	NYJ	LAR	DET
12	@ARI	@KC	@SEA	HOU	NE	@MIN	@SF	@DAL
13	@LV	SEA	LAC	@SF	NYJ	BUF	@TB	WAS
14	MIA	LV	@LAR	@LAC	@DET	@ARI	bye	PHI
15	TEN	@GB	NE	@BUF	IND	@LV	ATL	@WAS
16	@IND	DEN	@PIT	GB	NYG	CIN	@CLE	@MIN
17	LAR	@LAC	SF	@NE	@GB	MIA	@PHI	IND
18	@DEN	@SEA	KC	NYJ	@CHI	@BUF	CAR	@PHI
	NYJ	PHI	PIT	SEA	SF	TB	TEN	WAS
1	BAL	@DET	@CIN	DEN	@CHI	@DAL	NYG	JAC
2	@CLE	MIN	NE	@SF	SEA	@NO	@BUF	@DET
3	CIN	@WAS	@CLE	ATL	@DEN	GB	LV	PHI
4	@PIT	JAC	NYJ	@DET	LAR	KC	@IND	@DAL
5	MIA	@ARI	@BUF	@NO	@CAR	ATL	@WAS	TEN
6	@GB	DAL	TB	ARI	@ATL	@PIT	bye	@CHI
7	@DEN	bye	@MIA	@LAC	KC	@CAR	IND	GB
8	NE	PIT	@PHI	NYG	@LAR	BAL	@HOU	@IND
9	BUF	@HOU	bye	@ARI	bye	LAR	@KC	MIN
10	bye	WAS	NO	@TB	LAC	SEA	DEN	@PHI
11	@NE	@IND	CIN	bye	@ARI	bye	@GB	@HOU
12	CHI	GB	@IND	LV	NO	@CLE	CIN	ATL
13	@MIN	TEN	@ATL	@LAR	MIA	NO	@PHI	@NYG
14	@BUF	@NYG	BAL	CAR	TB	@SF	JAC	bye
15	DET	@CHI	@CAR	SF	@SEA	CIN	@LAC	NYG
16	JAC	@DAL	LV	@KC	WAS	@ARI	HOU	@SF
17	@SEA	NO	@BAL	NYJ	@LV	CAR	DAL	CLE
18	@MIA	NYG	CLE	LAR	ARI	@ATL	@JAC	DAL

Fantasy points allowed per game to quarterbacks

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for wide receivers and tight ends.

TEN	49.5	DAL	42.1	@LAR	39.0
CLE	48.6	SF	41.9	LVR	39.0
@CIN	48.5	@NO	41.7	@LVR	38.7
BAL	47.9	@JAC	41.6	@TB	38.3
MIA	47.5	SEA	41.5	@KC	38.2
@DET	47.3	WAS	41.3	@CAR	37.9
@MIN	46.4	@ARI	41.2	@PIT	36.9
@BAL	46.2	@NYJ	41.2	LAC	36.6
GB	46.1	ATL	41.1	NYJ	36.5
CHI	45.8	@DAL	41.0	@NE	36.1
KC	45.6	ARI	40.9	@DEN	35.7
@IND	45.4	DET	40.6	@CLE	34.9
@SEA	45.1	TB	40.5	CIN	34.7
@LAC	44.9	@ATL	40.4	@NYG	34.6
@PHI	44.7	@TEN	40.3	BUF	34.2
MIN	44.1	CAR	40.1	NO	34.0
JAC	43.8	@SF	39.7	@MIA	33.7
LAR	43.8	HOU	39.7	DEN	33.5
@WAS	43.3	PIT	39.4	@CHI	33.4
NYG	43.3	@GB	39.3	PHI	33.4
IND	43.0			NE	27.0
@HOU	42.3			@BUF	23.3

2021 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Rushing

Who has the easiest schedule for rushing?

The strength of schedule for running backs only considers rushing yardage and scores. There is a significant difference between how often teams use them as receivers, and that impacts the stats allowed by a defense. For a simpler and more 1:1 consideration, this is the strength of schedule for only rushing production that was allowed by defenses including each home or away venue.

The extra game in the NFL schedule starting this year won’t help running backs to stay healthy as well.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and such, only total points matter, so below are the total points for each rushing offense derived from their schedule against the average rushing fantasy points allowed in 2020 by those defenses.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22. The middle 20 matchups were neither good nor bad.

Notable schedules

Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams (DEN) – The backfield situation could change from game to game, but whichever back takes the lead will enjoy the most favorable schedule in the NFL. Aside from two midseason games, the entire lineup of opponents is light, and four of the final five matchups go against weaker defenses from 2020.

Myles Gaskin, Malcolm Brown (MIA) – The Dolphins matchup with the AFC South helps to give the otherwise mediocre backfield a chance to surprise if they don’t add another back and start rotating players. The final nine games only contain one tough venue, and there’s nary a bad weather game possible.

Najee Harris (PIT) – The hottest rookie running back takes a further step in the lead with a schedule that can reward a full-time rusher. He gets a fast start with no bad matchups until Week 8 and then three of the final four games face weak defenses right when you need him most.

David Montgomery (CHI) – Hopefully, the spike in production that ended 2020 picks up again this season while enjoying one of the lighter schedules for rushers. Montgomery faces a mixed set of games through midseason but then faces his final tough venue in Week 9. The Bears fortunes should increase in the second half of the year and the passing offense will be hitting a higher gear by then as well.

James Robinson, Travis Etienne (JAC) – The schedule is kind aside from a three-game stretch from Week 11 to Week 13. And then the final four games all face favorable matchups during the fantasy playoffs. The split in workload between James Robinson and Travis Etienne may evolve through the season, but the primary back for December should end the season on a high note.

Jonathan Taylor (IND) – Second-year running back Jonathan Taylor already broke out in 2020 with over 1,100 rushing yards, and he gets a chance to take another step up, facing seven opponents with weaker defenses. The first seven weeks are tough with four bad matchups but then clears up with only one more in the final nine games while playing in five weak venues. A Week 14 bye will hurt in larger leagues and contests, but hosting the Raiders in Week 17 should end the fantasy year with a bang.

Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette (TB) – There’s already a committee backfield that shifts roles, and now the Super Bowl champion’s path to a repeat navigates the worst rushing schedule of any team. They only play in two of the lighter venues from last year while over half of their matchups go against the toughest rush defenses. Starting in October, they face a twelve-game stretch without any weak defenses.

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon (GB) – The quarterback situation will be resolved, but the rushing schedule never improves for the Packers in 2021. After a mostly challenging stretch through midseason, Aaron Jones not only has a Week 13 bye, but the last six weeks of the season produces only one favorable matchup and yet four of the toughest venues for rushers.

2021 weekly grid

Average rushing fantasy points allowed (points per game)

Fantasy values were derived from 1 point per 10 rushing yards and six-point rushing touchdowns.

2021 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Passing

2020 fantasy strength of schedule for Passing

Over the 25 years since The Huddle originated fantasy football strength of schedule, we’ve tweaked the formulas for better accuracy. This considers only passing yardage and scores, not quarterback rushing. That evens the field for all players since they all throw the ball as their primary job.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, and that creates 64 “different defenses” depending on where the game is played.

The addition of a Week 18 bumps up the numbers from past years. The review now considers a full fantasy season as Week 1 through Week 17 and ignores the new final week. The scoring was a point for each 20 passing yards and four -point touchdowns.

The average passing fantasy points allowed per game is at the bottom of this page for reference.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense according to their schedule using the averages allowed in 2020 by those defenses.

Oddly, the Top-6 teams in total points all will feature a different quarterback this year. That makes it tougher to rely on since the offense will already face a challenge to integrate a new passer.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22. The middle 20 matchups were neither good nor bad.

Notable schedules

Someone in Houston – If, somehow, Deshaun Watson plays this year without distraction (yeah, I know), he has the lightest schedule of them all. Failing that, very likely, Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills are unlikely to optimize the opportunity.

Carson Wentz (IND) – The Colts are onto yet another quarterback while Wentz attempts to recharge his career against a schedule containing eight opponents that sported the softest secondaries last year. The rest of the offense is unchanged from 2020, so Wentz must fit into an existing scheme with experienced receivers. His schedule improves mostly in the second half of the season.

Matt Ryan (ATL) – This should be a favorable fantasy situation for Ryan. He’s learning a new scheme under HC Arthur Smith, but he has an outstanding crew of receivers, including the much-hyped rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. Better yet, there appears to be no reason to expect the rushing effort to account for much again this year. Ending the season versus the Panthers, 49ers, Lions and Bills will force the need to throw the ball.

Zach Wilson (NYJ) – Rookie quarterbacks rarely produce fantasy-relevant stats, much less someone playing for the Jets. But at least the reason to throw should be significant, and Wilson gets to start going against one of the least challenging passing schedules. Wilson does play in four home games during the final five weeks of the fantasy season.

Baker Mayfield (CLE) – The Browns ranked in the bottom five in passing yards last year and that may not change. The Lions in Week 11 provides the only matchup with a soft secondary from last year. The AFC North is brutal by itself and the Browns add matchups against the AFC West and NFC North. Their backfield already ranked Top-5 in all rushing categories and ended up with one of the lightest rushing schedules. The schedule suggests even less passing with even worse results.

Russell Wilson (SEA) – The Seahawk’s star faces a tougher road in 2021 versus a very challenging stretch of games after the first month of the season. Limiting the offense to mostly DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett is tough enough versus NFC West defenses. He’s been better at Seattle than away, and yet he’ll play in nine road games and only seven home games during the fantasy season.

Jared Goff (DET) – The ex-Ram seeks to continue his NFL career as a Lion during their Year 1 rebuild where the roster has undergone an almost total change from 2020. It didn’t add any talent better than they lost and he starts out against the 49ers, Packers, Ravens, Bears and Vikings. Nothing in Detroit appears to be an upgrade from what he left in Los Angeles, including the schedule.

2021 weekly grid

Best and worst fantasy points allowed per game to passers

Fanrasy Football Targets, Touches and TDs: Week 13

A look at the best and worst fantasy football schedules the rest of the way.

So we’re past Thanksgiving.

That not only means fewer than 30 shopping days until Christmas, but also that the fantasy football playoffs are essentially upon us.

In the majority of leagues, postseason play kicks off Week 14 and runs through Week 16 when the majority of 2020 champions will be crowned.

With that very stretch in focus, this week’s TT&T is referencing The Huddle’s extremely useful Fantasy Strength of Schedule tool and looking at the easiest and toughest postseason itineraries for each of the five main fantasy positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and team defense/special teams. The 10 easiest and 10 toughest are listed for each, followed by quick thoughts on what jumps out from the rankings.

All statistics and rankings are through Week 12 play Monday night.

Quarterback

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy QB schedules

1) Rams, 2) Buccaneers, 3) Washington, 4) Packers, 5) Chargers, 6) Broncos, 7) Jets, 8) Lions, 9) Bears, 10) Falcons

Notable

Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert had his first sub-20-fantasy-point game with 19.6 in Buffalo on Sunday, but he still currently ranks fifth among healthy quarterbacks with an average of 27.9 points per outing. According to the strength of schedule tool, the Chargers have faced the fifth-easiest fantasy QB slate so far this season (Weeks 1-12), and it’s not going to get any tougher in the fantasy playoffs with matchups against the Falcons, Raiders and Broncos, so plan to keep riding the rookie.
Grizzled veterans Aaron Rodgers (sixth among QBs with a 27.5-fantasy-point average) and Tom Brady (eighth with 24.7 points) should continue to defy Father Time, at least through the fantasy postseason, with top-four fantasy QB schedules that feature a combined three positive matchups (opposing teams in the top eight of average QB fantasy points allowed), three neutral contests (opposing defenses ranked ninth through 24th) and no negative matchups (25th and below).
The Rams’ Jared Goff is going to be tough to trust coming off his season-worst 11-point dud Sunday against the 49ers, but the fantasy postseason schedule is juicy, particularly matchups against two of the four most favorable fantasy defenses (Seahawks and Jets) in Weeks 15 and 16 if you get that far and still need a streaming or a QB2 option in a two-quarterback league.
The Lions’ Matthew Stafford and Falcons’ Matt Ryan also are set up as favorable streaming options, but definitely keep an eye on the health of their respective receiving weapons (namely WRs Kenny Golladay and Julio Jones) before rolling with either in a win-or-go-home fantasy playoff contest.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy QB schedules

1) Bills, 2) Texans, 3) Bengals, 4) Cardinals, 5) Colts, 6) Jaguars, 7) Panthers, 8) Vikings, 9) Eagles, 10. Cowboys

Notable

You’re almost assuredly still going to keep riding top-seven fantasy QBs Kyler Murray (first), Josh Allen (fourth), and Deshaun Watson (seventh) in the fantasy playoffs, but don’t expect smooth sailing with a combined nine-game postseason itinerary that features five minus matchups, four neutrals and no plus fantasy contests.
The Vikings’ Kirk Cousins is sixth among QBs (two-start minimum) with an average of 26.6 fantasy points over the last three weeks, and that should continue with favorable matchups against the Jaguars (third best for fantasy QBs) and Bucs (fifth best) ahead the next two week. But games against the Bears (third stingiest vs. fantasy QBs) and Saints (seventh) in Weeks 15 and 16 are cause for concern if you’re trying to map out possible streaming plans for the coming month.

Running back

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy RB schedules

1) Titans, 2) Packers, 3) Bears, 4) Lions, 5) Broncos, 6) Buccaneers, 7) Dolphins, 8) Colts, 9) Ravens, 10) Panthers

Notable

League rushing leader Derrick Henry (1,257 yards) is already crushing with an average of 20.1 fantasy points (point-per-reception scoring) — and that’s despite only 23.3 total receiving points (14 catches for 93 yards and no TDs). And here’s predicting King Henry will be the crown jewel on a number of league championship teams with a fantasy postseason schedule that consists of plus matchups against the Jaguars, Lions and Packers — all top-six defenses in terms of average fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.
The Packers, with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, also are 3-for-3 in positive fantasy running back postseason matchups with games against the not-so-formidable run defenses of the Lions, Panthers and Titans.
If you’ve been hanging tight through the ups and downs with rookie RBs D’Andre Swift (Lions), Jonathan Taylor (Colts) and K. Dobbins (Ravens), it could very well pay off in the fantasy postseason provided that Swift recovers from his concussion, which kept him out in Weeks 11 and 12, and Taylor gains clearance from COVID-19 issues.
Those who spent the No. 1 overall draft pick on Christian McCaffrey have only received three games out of him so far due to injury, but they’ve yielded a whopping 90.4 fantasy points. And if you make it to the postseason despite CMC’s prolonged absence and he returns in Week 14, that top pick could very well pay off when it matters most as the Panthers face the 10th-most favorable fantasy RB postseason schedule with games against the Broncos, Packers and Washington.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy RB schedules

1) Vikings, 2) Chiefs, 3) Bills, 4) Cowboys, 5) Eagles, 6) Giants, 7) Seahawks, 8) Cardinals, 9) Texans, 10) 49ers

Notable

Among running backs who have played at least four games, Minnesota stud Dalvin Cook leads the way with an average of 25.1 fantasy points per contest. But it’s interesting to note that, according to The Huddle SOS, the Vikings have played the easiest fantasy running back slate to date (Weeks 1-12). Minnesota will encounter the toughest running back road in the fantasy postseason with games against the Bucs, Bears and Saints. You’re still rolling with Cook, but temper expectations that he’s going to single-handedly carry your squad to a league title.
Those fantasy general managers who have weathered the weekly roller coaster with high draft picks Ezekiel Elliott, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kenyan Drake and Miles Sanders need to be prepared for tough fantasy postseason itineraries and might need to seriously weigh other starting options come playoff time.

Wide receiver

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy WR schedules

1) Rams, 2) Buccaneers, 3) Washington, 4) Bears, 5) Packers, 6) Lions, 7) Jets, 8) Ravens, 9) Chargers, 10) Titans

Notable

The Rams’ Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are both currently WR2s with 16.6 and 14.3 fantasy-point-per-game averages, respectively, and the going should be even more favorable in the fantasy playoffs with the easiest projected schedule for wide receivers, particularly the back-to-back matchups against the Jets and Seahawks in the Weeks 15 and 16. It’s a big reason why we just got done talking about Goff as a viable streaming option in the fantasy postseason.
Despite continued far from ideal QB play, the Bears’ Allen Robinson ranks 13th among wideouts with an average of 16.7 fantasy points per game, and he should continue to shine with a fantasy playoff slate that consists of the Texans, Vikings and Jaguars, all of which ranks among the top third of most favorable fantasy wide receiver secondaries.
The Lions’ Golladay has only played four full games — and none since Week 7 — this season due to injury issues, but if he can return in the coming weeks, he should be able to feast on a Week 14-16 slate that includes matchups against the Packers, Titans and Bucs.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy WR schedules

1) Panthers, 2) Jaguars, 3) Patriots, 4) Seahawks, 5) Texans, 6) Raiders, 7) Bills, 8) Steelers, 9) Dolphins, 10) Broncos

Notable

As mentioned with McCaffrey above, the Panthers’ fantasy postseason schedule is more of a run funnel, as the Carolina wideouts face the toughest playoff slate with games against the Broncos, Packers and Washington. That could mean an end-of-season damper for Panthers receivers Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore and the surging Curtis Samuel. To date, the SOS metrics say the Panthers have faced the easiest fantasy WR slate so far, but that’s about to change drastically.

The Texans’ wideout duo of Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks has been a boon for Watson, but now Fuller has been suspended for the remainder of the season and the next three weeks are brutal with a matchup against the Bears (fourth toughest vs. opposing fantasy wide receivers) sandwiched between the divisional home-and-home contests against the Colts (seventh toughest).
Seattle’s DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are both WR1s, with a combined average of 37.3 fantasy points per outing — tops among wide receiver duos. But playoff matchups against two of the three toughest fantasy wide receiver secondaries (Washington, Rams) in Weeks 15 and 16 is brutal timing.

Tight end

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy TE schedules

1) Broncos, 2) Vikings, 3) Jaguars, 4) Falcons, 5) Ravens, 6) Texans, 7) Steelers, 8) Jets, 9) Seahawks, 10) Bears

Notable

Can Denver Noah’s Fant, currently 11th among active tight ends with an average of 9.6 fantasy points per game, finish with a florurish? A Week 14-16 schedule that consists of games against three top-third fantasy TE defenses (Panthers, Bills and Chargers) certainly throws the door wide open to that possibility.
The Falcons’ Hayden Hurst and the Steelers’ Eric Ebron, both tied for 12th at the position with an average of 9.5 fantasy points per game, have been solid high-end streaming options for most of the season, and both definitely should be locked in with favorable fantasy postseason schedules ahead.
Speaking of tight end streaming options with plus slates coming up, keep Vikings tight ends Irv Smith (if healthy) and Kyle Rudolph on the radar as Minnesota faces the Bucs, Bears and Saints — all beatable fantasy tight end defenses — in the fantasy playoffs.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy TE schedules

1) Bills, 2) Cardinals, 3) Raiders, 4) Colts, 5) Bengals, 6) Panthers, 7) Titans, 8) Washington, 9) Eagles, 10) Dolphins

Notable

Thanks to his tight end-leading seven touchdown grabs (tied with Travis Kelce and Robert Tonyan), the Titans’ Jonnu Smith ranks eighth among still-active TEs with his average of 10.2 fantasy points per game. But Smith is tied for 16th at the position in both receptions (30) and yards (338) and faces two of the eight toughest fantasy tight end defenses (Lions and Packers) back-to-back in Weeks 15 and 16.

Team defense/special teams

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy D/ST schedules

1) Cowboys, 2) Cardinals, 3) Seahawks, 4) 49ers, 5) Panthers, 6) Browns, 7) Texans, 8) Chargers, 9) Saints, 10) Rams

Notable

This is where a fantasy strength of schedule lookahead is especially useful with the abundance of defensive/special teams unit streaming.
An intriguing list to be sure as six of these 10 D/STs (Cowboys, Cardinals, 49ers, Panthers, Texans and Chargers) rank in the bottom half at this position in terms of average fantasy points per game. Dallas, which is ranked 27th among D/STs with an average of 4.2 fantasy points per outing, presents the biggest conundrum as it has three plus-matchups (opposing offenses ranked among the eight most charitable in terms of average fantasy defensive points surrendered), including the Bengals in Week 14 and Eagles in Week 16.
Those already rostering the Browns, Rams and Saints — all current top-nine D/STs — will be wise to keep them locked in through the fantasy postseason.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy D/ST schedules

1) Lions, 2) Chiefs, 3) Colts, 4) Falcons, 5) Dolphins, 6) Packers, 7) Raiders, 8) Broncos, 9) Giants, 10) Jaguars

Notable

Figuring out how to handle the Indy and Miami D/STs, both current top-five units, will be challenging as neither has a top-half postseason matchup with the Raiders’ offense (17th-most-favorable matchup) coming the closest.
Stay away from streaming the Chiefs’ and Lions’ D/STs as they have five negative and one neutral fantasy playoff matchup between them in six combined games.

2020 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Receiving

2020 fantasy strength of schedule for receiving

Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

The strength of schedule for receivers considers both wide receivers and tight ends but not running backs. The usage of wideouts and tight ends varies from team to team so they should be considered together. As there are only a handful of relevant fantasy tight ends each year, considering them alone would result in much greater inaccuracy.

Receivers are also the least impacted by the schedule strength. The top receivers from each offense will always garner greater coverage. And those are mostly controlled by the quality of the opposing cornerback. Wide receiver vs. cornerback is the only 1:1 matchup of all fantasy players and defenses. So take this only as a minor consideration in valuing a player.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and such, only total points matter so below are the total points for each passing offense derived from their schedule against the averages allowed in 2019 by those defenses.

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 16 is the full season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 14 to 16 represent the most common fantasy playoff weeks. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22. The middle 20 matchups were neither good nor bad.

Notable schedules

Allen Robinson/Anthony Miller (CHI) – The Bears have the best passing schedule across the board and that will benefit Robinson and Miller the most. There is an opportunity within that since the quarterback controversy between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles naturally throws shade on the receivers. With this schedule, either quarterback should look better and that benefits Robinson and Miller the most.

Kenny Golladay/Marvin Jones (DET) – Golladay is already a hot commodity after his 11 scores in 2019 but Jones was injured for the last two seasons. The return of a healthy Matt Stafford already bodes well and the Lions schedule is one of the lightest for receivers. Aside from matchups with the Packers and Bears, the wideout duo should make even more noise this year.

Tyler Lockett/DK Metcalf (SEA) – The duo already combined for 1,957 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019. Now they get to face the bottom third of soft venues in half of their games. A mature offense with one of the better quarterbacks in the league gets a schedule advantage over most of the league. And this offense focuses almost solely on those two starting wideouts.

T.Y. Hilton/TBD – After a downturn last year, it is easy to forget that Hilton’s last two seasons with Andrew Luck produced 1,448 and 1,270 yards respectively. Now Philip Rivers takes over and that bound to improve Hilton’s stats. Throw in a schedule with only four bad venues and he’s sure to improve. The rookie Michael Pittman battles Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell for the No. 2 role that should surprise given there is only one bad matchup over the first eight weeks.

A.J. Brown/Adam Humphries (TEN) – The Titans are a run-first team anyway, but the schedule isn’t going to make it any easier when they pass. Brown was red hot down the stretch of his rookie season and is clearly the only notable receiver there. He starts out with three of his first four matchups versus top defenses and doesn’t enjoy any soft secondaries over his final six games. Brown should still see the volume to produce fantasy value but the other receivers are more certain to feel the impact of this schedule.

Marquise Brown/Mark Andrews (BAL) – Hard to get excited by any receiver on a team with a historic volume of rushing and even with the stellar results of 2019, Lamar Jackson only threw for 3,225 yards. And the Ravens had one of the lighter passing schedules last year. Now they only face two of the softer venues and one of those comes in Week 16. The 39 touchdown passes were spread over the entire offense other than Brown (7) and Andrews (10). They’ll need those scores to return similar fantasy value against this far more challenging schedule.

Adam Thielen/Justin Jefferson (MIN) – An improved rushing offense saw the Vikings passing decline from 2018 and injuries further depressed the production. With Stefon Diggs gone, the rookie Justin Jefferson is expected to pair with Adam Thielen but no other team has fewer matchups against weaker defenses than the Vikings. Three of the final four games of the fantasy season face bad venues. Tough year for Jefferson to learn the ropes and Thielen to get back to his success of 2018.

Stefon Diggs/John Brown (BUF) – Overall, the Bills receivers go against an average schedule strength but that happens in a curious way. Over the first ten weeks, they face just two bad venues and yet enjoy six good ones. After their Week 11 bye, it all goes bad. Their final five games of the fantasy season – including all of the fantasy playoffs – pit them against the worst venues. Those final five are the Chargers, at the 49ers, Steelers, at the Broncos, and then at the Patriots. That’s not going to propel anyone into their fantasy playoffs.

2020 weekly grid

Average passing fantasy points allowed

Fantasy values were derived from 1 point per 10 receiving yards and six-point passing touchdowns.

2020 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: Rushing

2020 fantasy strength of schedule for receiving

The strength of schedule for running backs only considers rushing yardage and scores. Since there is a great difference between how teams use them as receivers, that impacts the stats allowed by a defense. For a simpler and more 1:1 consideration, this is the strength of schedule for what only rushing production was allowed by defenses including each home or away venue.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and such, only total points matter so below are the total points for each rushing offense derived from their schedule against the averages allowed in 2019 by those defenses.

Weekly Play

Notable schedules

Kenyan Drake (ARI) – He blew up over the final month in Arizona last year and sent David Johnson packing. Now Drake takes over the primary role for an up-and-coming offense with as much upside as most any back. Drake never faces one of the tougher venues until Week 10. That’s the way to start a season.

Todd Gurley (ATL) – His production waned last year and the Rams paid dearly to part ways. There is little competition in the Falcon’s backfield and Gurley scored at least 14 touchdowns in each of his last three years. By Week 13, he’ll go against only one bad venue and yet seven of the easier. He may not run as well as he once did, but he’s always been money at the goal line.

Miles Sanders (PHI) – His solid rookie season ended with 4.6 yards-per-carry and he assumed a more full-time role after midseason. Jordan Howard is gone and Sanders faces the softest defenses in half of his games. October is rougher with Steelers, Ravens, and Cowboys, but his final eight weeks contain just one bad venue.

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) – Like Sanders, Elliott has a tougher time in Weeks 8 to 11, but otherwise enjoys one of the lighter schedules of his career. That only solidifies his value as one of the initial fantasy draft picks.

Christian McCaffery (CAR) – This is just not fair. Other than two meetings with the Buccaneers and one trip to the Vikings, the No. 1 pick in the draft has one of the lightest slate of games in the NFL. His one downside – a bye during Week 13 could be a killer in fantasy leagues and contests.

Alvin Kamara (NO) – His yardage and scores were down in 2019, and now Kamara faces the worst schedule of any running back. Worst yet, the fantasy playoffs face the Eagles, Vikings, and Chiefs. Elite backs are usually better than their schedule but Kamara slid last year too.

Jordan Howard (MIA) – There’s already plenty to not like about the rebuilding Dolphins this year and newly signed Jordan Howard will likely share with Matt Brieda. Throw in one of the worst offensive lines and a schedule that features bad matchups most of the time, and Howard is rightfully dropping in fantasy drafts. Even worse, fantasy playoffs are all bad against the Patriots, Chiefs, and at the Raiders.

Devin Singletary (BUF) – He may have to share with the rookie Zack Moss, but the diminutive Singletary was impressive down the stretch in 2019. That promise is likely to be at least somewhat limited with one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. He not only faces just two soft matchups, but fantasy playoffs go off with matchups against the Steelers, at the Broncos and at the Patriots.

2020 weekly grid

Average passing fantasy points allowed

Fantasy values were derived from 1 point per 10 receiving yards and six-point passing touchdowns.