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FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 1

QB Strength of Schedule

Thu May 23 11:12am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Prescott setup for big success


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the quarterback position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the quarterbacks with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the quarterbacks that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  QB SOS  
1. Miami Dolphins 313.6
2. Cincinnati Bengals 314.77
3. Los Angeles Chargers 317.32
4. Denver Broncos 317.38
5. Pittsburgh Steelers 320.33
6. Houston Texans 320.74
7. Buffalo Bills 321.01
8. Philadelphia Eagles 323.71
9. Kansas City Chiefs 325.08
10. Washington Commanders 325.12
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 326.4
12. Jacksonville Jaguars 328.45
13. New York Jets 329.06
14. New England Patriots 329.64
15. Cleveland Browns 330.31
16. Los Angeles Rams 330.72
17. Arizona Cardinals 331.54
18. Indianapolis Colts 331.69
19. Seattle Seahawks 332
20. Atlanta Falcons 332.73
21. Baltimore Ravens 333.05
22. San Francisco 49ers 333.05
23. Detroit Lions 334.13
24. Las Vegas Raiders 334.38
25. New York Giants 334.72
26. New Orleans Saints 336.27
27. Minnesota Vikings 337.2
28. Dallas Cowboys 339.64
29. Chicago Bears 340.70
30. Tennessee Titans 343.69
31. Carolina Panthers 345.54
32. Green Bay Packers 349.53


The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. Jordan Love already had a breakout season last year and could take his game to an even higher level this season. Love is shaping up to be a really intriguing QB1 this season. He is a player on the rise and seems setup for even more success this year.

A couple second-year quarterbacks have really favorable schedules, Will Levis and Bryce Young. Both seem like good No. 2 fantasy quarterbacks to take a chance. Their teams did well in upgrading the talent around them this offseason and a favorable schedule bodes well for them to take some steps forward this year.

Caleb Williams was the No.1 overall pick and the Bears gave him plenty of firepower to work with in year one. Williams has a lot of good going for him this year and could be the C.J. Stroud of this year’s rookie class. And having a favorable fantasy schedule helps Williams even more.

A couple veterans with favorable schedules are Dak Prescott and Derek Carr. Prescott is the one that stands out the most. The Cowboys are lacking top options at the running back spot, so it would not surprise if the Cowboys are really pass-heavy offensively. Prescott could really rack up the numbers this year.

There are some big-name quarterbacks on the opposite side of things, having very tough fantasy schedules. Tua Tagovalioa has the toughest schedule of all. He struggled a little down the stretch last year and now has the most unfavorable schedule for any fantasy quarterback. This is a little concerning.

Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and whoever is starting in Pittsburgh, likely Russell Wilson, are other veteran quarterbacks that have a top-five unfavorable schedule for fantasy quarterbacks. Burrow is not a huge concern for us because we think they will still have success throwing the ball and he has a ton of talent around him at receiver. Herbert is a concern. The Chargers lost their top two receivers and could be a lot more run-heavy with a new coach in place. Herbert has some red flags for him this coming year, making him a bit of a risky pick for fantasy teams. Wilson is another veteran with a tough schedule. He also has Justin Fields pushing him to play, so Wilson is going to be a boom or bust fantasy pick.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the quarterbacks with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  QB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. Jacksonville Jaguars 292.02
2. Houston Texans 299.33
3. New York Giants 301.93
4. Miami Dolphins 307.48
5. Los Angeles Rams 308.45
6. Detroit Lions 312.4
7. Arizona Cardinals 313.15
8. Kansas City Chiefs 313.45
9. Buffalo Bills 313.6
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 317.53
11. Cincinnati Bengals 318.03
12. Baltimore Ravens 318.25
13. Green Bay Packers 322.48
14. Indianapolis Colts 322.83
15. Pittsburgh Steelers 328.78
16. Philadelphia Eagles 331.23
17. Cleveland Browns 331.95
18. Minnesota Vikings 334.68
19. Atlanta Falcons 336.18
20. Carolina Panthers 338.62
21. Seattle Seahawks 338.65
22. Las Vegas Raiders 341.18
23. Los Angeles Chargers 341.22
24. New York Jets 344.3
25. New Orleans Saints 346.68
26. Chicago Bears 347.07
27. Tennessee Titans 348.42
28. New England Patriots 355.23
29. Denver Broncos 355.35
30. Dallas Cowboys 359.62
31. Washington Commanders 359.92
32. San Francisco 49ers 363.47


There is just a team that makes both the top-five favorable quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. That team is the Cowboys. So Dak Prescott has the third easiest playoff schedule in addition to having the fifth easiest regular season schedule. Prescott was a player looking pretty good even before seeing these schedules, so you might want to bump him up a few spots in your rankings after seeing this. Prescott could be a league winner in 2024.

The 49ers actually have the easiest fantasy quarterback schedule for the playoffs. So Brock Purdy could have a great run during the fantasy playoffs. He always has a high weekly ceiling, so things are looking great for him this postseason.

Now some rookie quarterbacks round out the team of having top-five fantasy quarterback playoff schedules. Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Drake Maye are all likely starting for their teams later in the season, so they should help fantasy teams during the playoffs. They all have some question marks surrounding them but could be worth the gamble, especially if you have a dependable starter already on your roster. These rookies could make some noise late in the season.

On the opposite side of things, the Dolphins are the only team to have both a top-five unfavorable fantasy quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. We already had a few concerns for Tagovalioa even before these schedules were released. And now seeing he has very challenging schedules for both the regular season and playoffs make him a player you might want to avoid come draft day.

Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have the toughest schedule for the playoffs. Lawrence has not lived up to expectations to date. He could have his best season to date this year, but his schedule during the playoffs is concerning. Lawrence could struggle when it matters most.

C.J. Stroud is the biggest name of any quarterback with a top-five unfavorable playoff schedule. We aren’t too concerned about this because some players can rise above the challenge. Stroud is one of those players. Things will be tougher for him in year two, but he will also progress and get better. Plus, he has Stefon Diggs added to the mix, which should improve that passing game even more.

Daniel Jones is another quarterback with a challenging playoff schedule. He is another fringe draft pick to begin with, so seeing him possibly have struggles down the stretch causes more trepidation when it comes to possibly drafting him. He might be another player to just steer clear of come draft day.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Starts/Sits: Week 1

Player Notes
Josh Allen Sep 9 1:20pm ET
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (hand) injured his left hand in the Week 1 victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, although Allen isn't particularly worried about the injury. Allen injured his hand during his second rushing touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter when he had to leap over safety Budda baker at the goal line. His left hand and wrist were wrapped by athletic trainers on the sideline after the TD, and Allen played the rest of the game. Allen said afterward that his hand was "fine." It was expected that he would go for X-rays after the game, but the results of those tests haven't been revealed. The Bills have a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football in Week 2 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins, but as long as X-rays don't reveal any kind of structural damage, Allen should be good to go as a must-start, high-end QB1 play in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Sep 9 1:10pm ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that quarterback Daniel Jones will remain the team's starting QB heading into a Week 2 matchup on the road against the division-rival Washington Commanders. It's usually never a good sign when the head coach has to confirm the team's starting QB in just Week 2 of the season, but that's where we are with the G-Men after an embarrassing 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener on Sunday. Jones went 22-for-42 for 186 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions while adding six carries for 15 yards. One of the 27-year-old's interceptions was a pick-six, and the Giants offense didn't enter the red zone all day. Jones looked terrible last year, too, before suffering a season-ending torn ACL, and if things don't get better in a hurry, New York may be forced to go to backup Drew Lock. At best, Jones is a low-end QB2 for Week 2.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Sep 9 1:00pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has indicated that tight end David Njoku is week-to-week with an ankle injury. Njoku sustained the injury at the end of a 29-yard catch-and-run during the Browns' second drive of the third quarter. He briefly visited the medical tent before heading to the locker room, and although he was initially listed as questionable to return, he did not re-enter the game. Njoku finished with four catches for 44 yards. He was named to his first Pro Bowl last season after a standout year in which he set career highs with 81 receptions, 882 yards, and 6 touchdowns. With Njoku and Jordan Akins as the only tight ends on the roster, it appears Akins will take over starting duties until Njoku is back. Akins is currently not a recommended fantasy option and is likely to be a touchdown-or-bust candidate.

From RotoBaller

Shy Tuttle Sep 9 12:40pm ET
Shy Tuttle

Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown (knee) suffered a potentially season-ending meniscus injury during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The injury will require surgery to determine the full extent of his recovery timeline. Brown, who just signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Panthers this spring, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2023, posting career-highs with 103 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. At 26 years old, he was a cornerstone of Carolina's defensive line, playing 89.1% of the team's defensive snaps last season -- a remarkable feat given his size (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) and the demands of the 3-4 defensive scheme. Brown's absence would leave A'Shawn Robinson and Shy Tuttle as the top interior defenders for the Panthers, who also parted ways with their top pass-rusher, Brian Burns, via trade this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Jakobi Meyers

Despite fewer opportunities, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers made the most of them in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Meyers caught all three of his targets for 61 yards to lead the Raiders in receiving, averaging a whopping 20.3 yards per target. His efficiency was notable, but the volume was not. Meyers' fantasy value is in limbo; he's capable of big plays but needs more targets. He's a speculative add or a bench stash, potentially useful if injuries hit or his target share increases in upcoming games. Meyers will be tough to trust and is flex play at best in deep-league formats in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo caught both his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Chicago. Quarterback Will Levis could not get the passing game going most of the game, which led to down weeks for all Titans' pass catchers. Okonkwo was able to bail out fantasy managers with his touchdown grab, an incredibly impressive catch in the back right corner of the end zone over a defender. It was a tough day for the position overall, as Oknkwo finished as TE6 on the week heading into the Monday night game with only 9.5 PPR points. While he had a fine fantasy day because of the score, playing Okonkwo on a weekly basis is still not recommended if this passing attack can't improve considerably from Week 1. Okonkwo and the Titans offense will have their work cut out for them when the Jets travel to Nashville next week.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams caught five of six passes for 59 yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had a quieter game than usual. The 31-year-old tied running back Alexander Mattison for second on the team with six targets, but the deep ball was absent, limiting his usual explosive plays. Adams remains a high-floor WR2 with WR1 potential, but his output might fluctuate with quarterback Gardner Minshew II at the helm. He's still a must-start on the road in Baltimore next week, though expectations should be slightly tempered for big games.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams didn't quite meet expectations in his debut despite earning a win on Sunday. Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards, failed to throw a touchdown, was sacked twice, but did not record any interceptions. He fumbled once, though the Bears recovered it. His accuracy was lacking, with 31% of his passes off-target and an average of just 3.2 yards per attempt. His deep throws were particularly problematic, missing several open opportunities downfield. While Williams made a notable throw to Keenan Allen that should have resulted in a touchdown, the veteran wide receiver dropped the pass. The Bears' offense only managed nine points, relying on defensive and special teams touchdowns for most of their scoring. Williams delivered a well-executed 2-point conversion pass to D'Andre Swift, his standout moment in what otherwise seemed like a promising matchup. He will need to perform better in next week's Sunday Night Football game against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans to showcase the potential that made him the number 1 pick.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Sep 9 12:10pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught his lone target for eight yards in the 24-17 loss to the Bears on Sunday. The veteran receiver was questionable leading up to the game with an MCL injury but suited up anyway. However, Hopkins seemed to play more of a decoy role, logging only 27% of the snaps and drawing one target in the loss. The entire Titans passing offense captained by quarterback Will Levis was shut down by Chicago for the almost the entire game. As Levis gets more comfortable and Hopkins get healthier, the latter should be a fairly viable fantasy play, but nothing we saw on Sunday inspires any sort of confidence. Next week is another stiff test with the New York Jets and their lockdown corners coming to town.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Sep 9 12:00pm ET
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers was a highlight, snagging six balls for 58 yards and showcasing his immediate impact with a team-high eight targets in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers' biggest play of the game on Sunday was a 26-yard reception off a play-action pass. His integration into the offense looks promising, especially with his ability to find space in the middle. Bowers is shaping up to be a valuable TE option, particularly in PPR leagues. Bowers will look to build on Sunday's performance in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Sep 9 11:50am ET
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison turned his limited touches into gold with a 31-yard touchdown reception, totaling 62 yards from scrimmage. The former Minnesota Viking rushed for 19 yards on five carries and caught four of six targets for 43 yards and a score in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His involvement in the passing game was a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy rushing day for the Raiders. The 26-year-old out-snapped teammate Zamir White 36 to 23 in Sunday's loss. Mattison's versatility keeps him relevant in fantasy. He's a flex play with upside in PPR formats, especially if he continues to see targets. His role could expand after Sunday's performance, but he is off the fantasy radar in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Sep 9 11:40am ET
Alexander Mattison

As expected, Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White spearheaded the Raiders' ground game with 13 carries for 44 yards while catching both of his targets for two yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His performance was lackluster, with minimal gains and a fumble that didn't help his case. Alexander Mattison out-snapped White 36 to 23 in Week 1. Despite leading in carries, his efficiency was poor, and the fumble could affect his future touches. It doesn't help fantasy managers that Mattison caught a 31-year touchdown from Gardner Minshew II. White's role might not shrink immediately, but his fantasy stock is shaky. Facing a tough Ravens defense in week two, White is considered a flex option with caution; his value could dip if he doesn't secure the ball better.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 9 11:40am ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson left Sunday's 33-17 Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns with a knee injury. Many feared the talented tight end suffered a season-ending injury. Thankfully, tests revealed that Ferguson only suffered a bone bruise and an MCL sprain. The team is listing him as week-to-week, meaning he could return sooner than later. Yet, Ferguson could get placed on injured reserve later in the week, knocking him out for at least four games. 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker is the most likely candidate to replace Ferguson as Dallas' starting tight end. He is worth a speculative add off the waiver wire. However, Schoonmaker is not someone fantasy players should start in Week 2 unless they are extremely desperate.

From RotoBaller

Gardner Minshew II Sep 9 11:30am ET
Gardner Minshew II

In a game where every play counted, Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew II managed 257 passing yards with a 31-yard touchdown to Alexander Mattison. However, his Raiders debut was marred by an interception and a critical fumble in the Raiders' 22-10 defeat to the Chargers. His stats were solid, distributing the ball well among his receivers, yet the fumble was a turning point, gifting the Chargers points. Next week, with the stingy Baltimore Ravens defense on tap, Minshew's role as a facilitator might benefit his receivers more than himself. He's a risky start in fantasy, suitable for deeper or superflex, with his ceiling limited by turnovers.

From RotoBaller

Haason Reddick Sep 9 10:33am ET
Haason Reddick

New York Jets EDGE Haason Reddick will forfeit $800,000 for missing Week 1 and will forfeit $800,000 more for every other game he misses. This is on top of $5 million of NFL-mandated fines.

From TheHuddle

Puka Nacua Sep 9 10:30am ET
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) will undergo testing on his knee Monday afternoon after leaving Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions. According to Ian Rapoport, the star receiver is scheduled to get some testing done after injuring the same knee that he tweaked during the preseason. Nacua was able to come back for one play in Sunday night's game, but ultimately left again and did not return. There still hasn't been any word or speculation on what's wrong with his knee, so these tests should provide a clear picture of the extent of the injury. If he'll need to miss some time, Tyler Johnson did a good job filling in against the Lions, while Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington may also see some more snaps.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Sep 9 10:30am ET
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 16 times for 82 yards and a score, adding three receptions for 12 yards in the loss to Chicago. Pollard started the game as the Titans top back and out-carried Tyjae Spears by a surprisingly large margin, 16-4, right after the Titans coaching staff made a point that the backfield would be split evenly. The actual snap counts were a bit closer with Pollard taking 65% and Spears with 45%, but Pollard getting twice as many touches as Spears was definitely unexpected. Game script could have been part of the story here, with Tennessee attempting to grind the clock with a 17-0 lead going into the second half and utilizing the more punishing runner in Pollard to do so. The former Cowboy looked every bit of the dynamic player he was in Dallas a couple of years ago, highlighted by his 26-yard TD scamper where outraced the second level of the defense and cruised into the end zone untouched. Up next is a tough matchup with the New York Jets coming to town. .

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Sep 9 10:20am ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis went 19/32 for 127 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Levis also rushed nine times for 36 yards and lost a fumble. It was a forgettable start to Year 2 for the quarterback, who was constantly under pressure and indecisive with the football, which led to mostly stalled drives and turnovers on the afternoon. Levis also had one of the worst interceptions in recent memory, tossing the ball sideways while getting hit, which led to the game clinching pick-six in the fourth quarter. While Chicago has a great defense, it was an all-around poor performance from the sophomore quarterback who had all three of his turnovers in the last period, essentially giving the game away to the Bears who were held to zero offensive touchdowns in the game. Levis will really need to turn things around in Week 2, though the NFL's best pass defense is up next in the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Sep 9 10:20am ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught three of seven targets for 50 yards in a 24-17 loss at Chicago. On a day where the Titans struggled to move the ball through the air, Ridley was still able to have a decent afternoon with a 22% target share and over 50% of the Titans passing yards. It's promising for Ridley managers that he was the clear #1 target for this offense, but if quarterback Will Levis struggles to move the ball downfield like he did on Sunday, it will be hard to trust the former Jaguar. Ridley will look to build on this effort in Week 2 against a very stingy New York Jets secondary.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Sep 9 10:20am ET
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell didn't find much success in his first NFL regular season game but the potential remains high after seeing the second-most targets in their 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans. The rookie wideout received five targets but only caught one of them for two yards. The silver lining is that Anthony Richardson was looking for him at various depths down the field, and the accuracy of the throws was more to blame. Mitchell was able to get some separation from his defender and he'll likely grow into a bigger part of the offense as Richardson grows as well. He's a risky fantasy start at the moment but will look to get on the board in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.

From RotoBaller