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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

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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Fantasy Preview: Week 2

Player Notes
Harrison Butker Sep 14 4:50am ET
Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. Butker had a productive night against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The Chiefs kicker nailed both field goal attempts, nailing a game-long 32-yarder, and went 3/3 on his extra point attempts. Butker only missed two field goals and did not miss a single extra point attempt last season, so he has demonstrated his ability to be one of the most accurate kickers in the league. Being on the Chiefs high-powered offense gives Butker the chance to be a difference-maker for fantasy every week. The Kansas City Chiefs should have many opportunities on offense, and Mahomes should do enough to put the team within field goal range on most drives against the Cincinnati Bengals defense. Butker is one of the most valuable kickers in football and should be a start this week.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Sep 14 4:40am ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. The Chiefs first-round rookie had a massive game in Week 1, scoring two touchdowns, but that production came on just three touches. Worthy will have an easier opponent this week since he faced the Baltimore Ravens stingy defense in his NFL debut. The Bengals allowed the sixth-most receiving yards in 2023, so the rookie wideout should find success in this contest. News also broke that the Chiefs placed fellow wide receiver Marquise Brown on injured reserve, so Worthy should quickly fill the WR2 role in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. The Chiefs will likely incorporate Worthy into the offensive game plan more as the season progresses, so the sky is the limit for the young speedster. Worthy is a worthy flex play with upside this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Sep 14 4:30am ET
Matt Prater

Week 1 of the 2024 season saw several kickers put up extraordinary amounts of points. Five kickers had multiple field goals from 50+ yards out, three of them also hitting two tries from the 40-49-yard range. Nine other kickers also made good from 50 yards or more. Unfortunately, Matt Prater was not one of them. The 40-year-old veteran did convert all of his attempts though, netting field goals from 29 and 31 yards out and banging home two extra points. In Week 2, the Cardinals host the Rams in their home opener in what is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Prater may not have had a chance to kick from distance in the season opener but he has a strong leg and the benefit of playing in a dome in Week 2. Fantasy managers looking for a solution at kicker can fire up Prater on Sunday without worry.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Sep 14 4:30am ET
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas received plenty of hype entering Week 1 against the Patriots due to uncertainty surrounding the availability of Ja'Marr Chase (illness, hold-in) and Tee Higgins (hamstring). Chase was on the field while Higgins was ruled out, leading many to believe Iosivas would still benefit. However, that didn't happen, with the 24-year-old ending the day with three catches for 26 yards. Chase doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of the Week 2 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. On the other hand, Higgins will likely remain on the shelf. Unfortunately, too many questions surround the Bengals offense, including the health of Joe Burrow (wrist). As a result, Iosivas shouldn't be considered anything more than a flex option in 12-team fantasy leagues, although nobody can blame anyone for keeping him out of the starting lineup.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Sep 14 4:30am ET
Matthew Stafford

The Arizona Cardinals recorded two sacks and recovered a fumble in Week 1, but it was DeeJay Dallas' 96-yard kick return touchdown that pushed them a surprising top-10 finish in fantasy points scored despite giving up 34 points to the Buffalo Bills. In Week 2, the Cardinals play their home opener against division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The Rams' offensive line has been hit hard by injuries and against any other team, might make for an enticing streaming option. However, Arizona had one of the worst pressure rates in the league last week, getting to Josh Allen just eight times. Unless the Cardinals' pass rush can take advantage of their opponent's personnel issues, they will have a hard time containing the Rams' offense, led by the dynamic duo of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. Forget about Arizona's D/ST in Week 2 as nearly any other team would make for a more promising option.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 14 4:20am ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't a lock to play in Week 1 against the Patriots for various reasons. While he wasn't fully healthy due to a lingering illness, he still finished the day by compiling a game-high six catches for 62 yards. With a chaotic week behind him, he'll look to get on track on Sunday versus the Chiefs. Without question, it's never easy for any team to play the defending champs, especially those entering GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. However, Chase is one of the best wideouts in the National Football League, so he must be featured in all fantasy lineups for Week 2. On top of that, Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doubtful, meaning Chase could see even more attention from Joe Burrow.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Sep 14 4:20am ET
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson had as quiet of a debut as they come in the team's season opener last week against the Bills. The third-round pick out of Florida State saw just three rushing attempts to James Conner's 16. Benson gained 13 yards on the ground and caught one pass for another five yards. The rookie didn't take the field until the Cardinals' third drive and was outsnapped by fellow backup Emari Demercado, 14 to eight. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing referred to Conner as the team's "bell cow" in comments to the media ahead of Week 1 and there's little reason to believe they will move away from him in Week 2. Benson is still worth stashing in case the injury bug bites or the team starts utilizing their backs differently, but he should be on fantasy benches on Sunday against the Rams.

From RotoBaller

Michael Wilson Sep 14 4:20am ET
Michael Wilson

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson scored the team's first points of the 2024 season last week against the Bills. Unfortunately, the second-year receiver's five-yard touchdown catch was his only reception of the game and he finished with just one other target. Fellow wide receiver Greg Dortch and tight end Trey McBride were Kyler Murray's favorite targets last week and he is likely to go back to the well again in Week 2. Marvin Harrison Jr. disappointed fantasy managers with a one-catch game of his own in the season opener but offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has said that he intends to get the rookie more involved. In other words, Wilson is not a priority target in the Cardinals' pass game and won't be a reliable source of fantasy points in Week 2. Keep him on the bench in all but the deepest of leagues.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Sep 14 4:10am ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown didn't do much in the Week 1 loss to the Patriots, logging only three carries for 11 yards and adding three receptions for 12 yards. On the other hand, Zack Moss was more productive, with the 26-year-old finishing the day with 44 yards and a touchdown off nine touches. He also pulled in two of his four targets for 17 yards. Many had assumed Brown would be the preferred option out of the backfield for the Bengals this season, resulting in a surge in popularity during fantasy drafts in the last few months. Although that still can happen, he can't be trusted in Week 2 against the Chiefs. Keep Brown benched in all fantasy setups.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Sep 14 4:00am ET
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) popped up on the injury report this week. Fortunately, he doesn't have an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs after practicing on Thursday and Friday. Most of the Bengals offense struggled in the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. However, Moss was arguably the most productive for fantasy managers, with the 26-year-old amassing 44 yards and a touchdown off nine carries, adding two catches for 17 yards. But what stood out the most was Moss' workload, considering he finished the day by logging 33 snaps compared to the 17 from Chase Brown. Many had assumed both men would split carries evenly this season. Although that may be the case eventually, Moss remains the preferred fantasy option out of the duo. Nonetheless, despite the challenging matchup on the horizon against the defending champs, Moss has earned his way into nearly all fantasy lineups for Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Sep 14 3:50am ET
Trey McBride

Tight ends league-wide disappointed in Week 1. As it was, Trey McBride's eight points in half-PPR leagues were still good for a top-10 finish at the position. While his production (five catches for 30 yards) fell short of expectations, fantasy managers found a silver lining in McBride's utilization. The Cardinals deployed their star tight end on 85% of snaps and he led the team with a 29% target share against the Buffalo Bills last week. In Week 2, Arizona plays the Los Angeles Rams, who give up the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2023. McBride is a priority target in the Cardinals' passing attack and should enjoy a more productive game. The 24-year-old is already one of the top options at tight end and should be locked into starting lineups. McBride will be a top-12 tight end in Week 2, and given his usage in Arizona's offense, could find himself at the top by the end of the week.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Sep 14 3:30am ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a dud of a debut against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. The fourth overall pick of the NFL draft had just one catch for four yards and wasn't targeted at all in the second half of that game. While the performance was alarming for fantasy managers who paid up to get the vaunted rookie near his ADP of 15, there is hope for improvement in Week 2. Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing admitted earlier this week that the team needs to prioritize getting the rookie more involved going forward. Harrison will again line up on the outside against a Rams secondary that allowed 121 receiving yards to Jameson Williams last Sunday. The former Buckeye can be started against the Rams with tempered expectations. He projects as a WR2 in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dortch Sep 14 3:30am ET
Greg Dortch

Buzz around Arizona Cardinals slot receiver Greg Dortch has been building for weeks. Dortch demonstrated great route running and chemistry with Kyler Murray during preseason training camps and in Week 1 had a 26% target share even though he was on the field for just 62% of offensive snaps. In Week 2, the Cardinals host the Los Angeles Rams, who themselves held Amon-Ra St. Brown to three catches and 13 yards out of the slot last week. The 2023 All-Pro's reputation demanded more attention than Dortch will likely see, but the Rams' ability to shut down the position shouldn't be overlooked. A repeat of Dortch's modest week 1 performance isn't out of the question and would still make him a solid flex play, especially in deeper leagues, but managers counting on a boom game are better off waiting another week.

From RotoBaller

James Conner Sep 14 3:00am ET
James Conner

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner put up 83 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. He will look to do more of the same on Sunday in the Cardinals' home opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Fears that he might lose work to rookie Trey Benson were assuaged last week as Conner handled 16 of Arizona's 20 handoffs and was on the field for 67% of offensive snaps compared to Benson's 13% share. The Rams had one of the toughest run defenses in the league in 2023 but no longer have Aaron Donald anchoring their line. In Week 1, they gave up 131 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to the Lions. Conner should be locked into fantasy lineups this week and can be expected to put up another RB1 performance.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Sep 14 2:50am ET
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is in Minnesota as the team prepares for a Week 2 matchup versus the Vikings. The former South Carolina Gamecock fulfilled expectations and then some in Week 1 against the New York Jets. He finished the game with five receptions on nine targets for 54 yards through the air to go with eight carries for 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It's reasonable to expect similar usage in the running game, given running back Christian McCaffrey's continued absence and San Francisco's success with their approach last week. The similarities may stop with the passing game though, as 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk was playing in his first game action after sitting out the preseason, so the window for Samuel Sr. to take target advantage of Aiyuk's lack of football readiness may be closing. Minnesota's pass defense tamped down the fantasy performances of all New York Giants involved last week, but it's also possible New York's offense is just inept against everybody. Last year's Vikings defense was sixth-worst in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in half-PPR. Samuel Sr. is a locked-and-loaded WR1 in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Graham Gano Sep 14 2:30am ET
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano steps into Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, looking to rebound after a quiet start in Week 1. Despite only managing two field goals against Minnesota, Gano is still a reliable scoring option, as he has a career average field goal percentage of 83.7%, including an impressive 43-for-64 from 50+ yards. Facing a Washington defense that allowed 37 points in Week 1, Gano's opportunity for kicks should be plentiful, especially if the Giants stall in the red zone. Expect Gano to hover around double-digit fantasy points, as the Commanders' bend-don't-break defense could set him up for several mid-range field goal attempts.

From RotoBaller

Theo Johnson Sep 14 2:20am ET
Theo Johnson

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson is looking for a strong Week 2 performance against the Washington Commanders this Sunday. Johnson was targeted four times in his rookie debut but only reeled in one reception for 18 yards. He also dropped two catchable balls, so he could have had a bigger day but struggled with the rest of the Giants offense. Moving forward, what most impressed most as a fantasy manager was that he saw 61 offensive snaps, so he looks like the clear-cut TE1 on the Giants.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Sep 14 2:10am ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will run up against the Vikings when the team visits Minnesota in Week 2. Last week, Aiyuk disappointed fantasy players, a victim of his own offseason "hold-in" rustiness and a negative game script. The 26-year-old with the new contract extension could only muster two catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns on five targets. This week, however, he'll have the benefit of another week of practice and not having to go against Sauce Gardner and a top-rated pass defense. The Vikings dominated Daniel Jones and the New York Giants wideouts last week, whose top receiving performance came from rookie Malik Nabers at 5 catches, 66 yards, and no touchdowns. However, the Giants' passing attack was not expected to be a challenge for anybody and Minnesota's defense allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points to wide receivers in 2023. Last year's Vikings defensive secondary remains largely unchanged. Aiyuk should be in line for more action in Week 2 after having his snaps managed in Week 1 and with a better matchup, he's a solid WR2.

From RotoBaller

Montez Sweat Sep 14 2:00am ET
Montez Sweat

The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams are poised to build on their stellar performance from Week 1 as they face the Houston Texans on Sunday. After leading the league in fantasy points last week, there's a lot of optimism surrounding the Bears' defensive unit heading into this primetime matchup. However, relying on defensive and special teams touchdowns can be unpredictable, and turnovers are notoriously fickle. With Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud expected to improve upon his performance against the Colts and with Joe Mixon demonstrating effective running, the Bears' defense will face a tougher challenge. Laremy Tunsil, one of the league's top tackles, will be a formidable opponent for the Bears' pass rushers, Darrell Taylor and Montez Sweat. Meanwhile, the secondary must replicate their impressive debut performance and contain Stroud's receiving targets, including Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell. Given his proven track record, Stroud represents a more significant test for the Bears' defense than Will Levis. Given these challenges, exploring other streaming defense options might be wise if available. However, if you prefer to stick with one defense, the Bears should still manage to hold their own against the high-powered Texans offense.

From RotoBaller

Cairo Santos Sep 14 2:00am ET
Cairo Santos

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is a solid fantasy option for Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Santos has quietly established himself as one of the NFL's most reliable kickers. In Week 1, he accounted for nearly half of his team's points, successfully converting on all his attempts, including field goals from 24, 48, and 50 yards, along with two extra points. With the Bears' offense struggling to find its rhythm, Santos had plenty of chances to score. While Caleb Williams and the offense are expected to improve, they might not be able to find the end zone consistently just yet. With a favorable 46.5 over/under for the game, Santos remains a strong fantasy play until Chicago's passing game shows more consistency.

From RotoBaller