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FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6

Player Notes
Hunter Henry Oct 14 1:10am ET
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry caught three of five targets for 41 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. The veteran pass-catcher served as a solid security blanket for rookie quarterback Drake Maye in his first career start, and the two continue to form a solid rapport in the passing attack. This was just Henry's second game of the season with at least three catches, five targets, or 33 yards. The touchdown reception was also his first since Week 15 of the 2023 season. Heading into Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Henry ranks as a mid-to-low TE2 for fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Oct 14 1:10am ET
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was named the starter on Sunday morning and completed 22 of his 38 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Flacco also threw one interception in the matchup. Flacco hit Josh Downs on a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and the Colts didn't score another touchdown until the fourth quarter when he found Michael Pittman Jr. on a ten-yard touchdown grab. The 39-year-old didn't jump off the box score with just 189 yards through the air, but that shouldn't be much of a cause for panic given the Titans' secondary has allowed the fewest passing yards so far this season. It's unclear who the starter will be moving forward, but Flacco would make for a solid streaming option once again in Week 7 should he get the start against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Antonio Gibson Oct 14 1:10am ET
Antonio Gibson

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson registered 19 rushing yards on 13 carries during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 24 yards through the air. Gibson earned his second consecutive start this week with Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) sidelined. Despite setting a new season-high in both rushes and touches, Gibson struggled to produce and was significantly inefficient on the ground. Through the air, he was merely a modest contributor. All in all, we'd like to see more production from Gibson before we can trust him in fantasy football, even with Stevenson out. It's too early to tell what the Patriots' backfield dynamic will look like for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

From RotoBaller

Kayshon Boutte Oct 14 1:00am ET
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte caught all three of his targets for 59 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. The highlight of his performance was a 40-yard catch that represented not only Boutte's first career touchdown reception but also rookie quarterback Drake Maye's first career touchdown pass. It was promising to see the second-year receiver demonstrate a quick rapport with Maye as the quarterback made his first NFL start. Boutte ended up playing a career-high 83 percent of offensive snaps and ran 32 routes; both of those marks were the highest among Patriots pass-catchers in Week 6. Going forward, Boutte, who was previously off the fantasy radar in all leagues, may start to generate some speculative buzz in dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Lynn Polk Oct 14 1:00am ET
Ja'Lynn Polk

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk converted four targets into just one catch for four yards during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. It was an underwhelming showing from Polk, who had started to generate significant buzz after playing 100 percent of offensive snaps last Sunday and commanding 13 targets over his previous two games. Instead, Polk took a step back this week, registering just the one catch while falling behind Kayshon Boutte in terms of both snap share (65 percent) and routes run (29). Interestingly, he operated ahead of Douglas in terms of snaps and routes but was drastically out-produced by him, too. Going forward, fantasy managers should view Polk as an inconsistent wide receiver option in fantasy football. He is worth stashing in dynasty leagues but can probably be dropped in most 12-team redraft formats.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Goodson Oct 14 1:00am ET
Tyler Goodson

Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson carried the ball eight times for 51 yards in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. He also caught four of his five targets for another 14 yards through the air. Goodson once again played a secondary role to running back Trey Sermon, getting out-carried 18-to-eight. That being said, Goodson was the much more efficient and productive back in the matchup and was the only back to see any work in the receiving game. Goodson could make for a decent start in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins if Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is inactive, but likely won't see much action if Taylor is a go.

From RotoBaller

Troy Franklin Oct 14 12:50am ET
Troy Franklin

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin finished Denver's 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday with two catches on three targets for 31 yards and his first career NFL touchdown. He added one carry for a five-yard pickup. Franklin came into the contest with just five catches on 12 targets for 29 yards in his first five games. The 21-year-old only saw three targets and had a very modest three grabs and 31 yards, but his touchdown is a reminder that both he and fellow rookie pass-catcher Devaughn Vele, who led the Broncos with 78 receiving yards, will see more opportunities with Josh Reynolds (finger) on Injured Reserve and missing at least three more games. The best thing that Franklin has going for him as a dynasty/keeper stash is his chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, dating back to their days playing together for the Oregon Ducks in college.

From RotoBaller

Trey Sermon Oct 14 12:50am ET
Trey Sermon

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon carried the ball 18 times for just 29 yards in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. He was also not targeted at all in the receiving game. Sermon once again saw the bulk of the work in Jonathan Taylor's (ankle) absence but was inefficient with the opportunities, averaging just 1.6 yards per carry. Sermon out-touched running back Tyler Goodson 18-to-eight, but Goodson was able to turn his eight carries into 51 total yards. It's unclear when Taylor will return from his injury, but with Tyler Goodson having another strong outing, fantasy managers can expect him to continue to eat into the workload between these two backs. Sermon is off the radar in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins if Taylor is a go, and is at best an RB3/4 option if Taylor is once again inactive.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 14 12:50am ET
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions during his first career start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. He also rushed for 38 yards, took four sacks, and lost a fumble. The No. 3 overall pick played far from perfect football on Sunday, but he showed numerous flashes of potential while leading scoring drives and converting down-and-distance opportunities against a relentless Texans pass rush. He also showed confidence and touch when throwing his deep ball as he connected with Kayshon Boutte for a 40-yard score. Going forward, Maye has the arm talent and rushing ability needed to survive both as an NFL starter and in fantasy football. He'll jump into the low-end QB2 tier ahead of next week's clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Oct 14 12:50am ET
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas caught six of nine targets for 92 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. The touchdown reception was the first of Douglas' career and came on a fourth-quarter catch-and-run thrown to him by rookie quarterback Drake Maye. While Douglas' large role within the Patriots' offense isn't necessarily anything new, it's very promising to see him lead the unit in targets, catches, and receiving yards even after the Patriots switched quarterbacks from Jacoby Brissett to Maye. Evidently, Douglas is a central piece of the Patriots' offensive game plan week in and week out. With his high-volume role and an apparent quarterback upgrade, Douglas has suddenly become a solid WR3 option in fantasy football. He's worth starting in many 12-team leagues next week versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Oct 14 12:40am ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught three of his five targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Pittman was tied for second in targets with running back Tyler Goodson and finished third in total receiving yards for Indy. While Pittman didn't jump off the box score from a yardage perspective, it was an encouraging performance given the Titans' secondary was allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. On top of that, Pittman looks to be in the clear from the back injury that initially looked like it was going to sideline him for multiple games. It's still unclear who Indianapolis' starting QB will be moving forward, with Joe Flacco getting the start today and Anthony Richardson serving as the QB3. All in all, Pittman is considered a W2/3 option again in Week 7 when the Colts take on the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Bijan Robinson Oct 14 12:40am ET
Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring) took advantage of a weak Carolina run defense in Sunday's 38-20 victory, rushing 15 times for 95 yards and two scores. Robinson did most of his damage in the first half, including both scores, and the second-year back also tacked on three catches for 10 yards. Whatever was wrong with his hamstring that caused him to pop up on Thursday's injury report was clearly not an issue in this game, although he ultimately ceded 10 of the team's final 12 rush attempts to fellow backfielder Tyler Allgeier in the fourth quarter who looked strong too, racking up an 18-105-1 line himself. The 22-year-old has rushed for 61 or more yards in four of six games in 2024, now with 380 yards and three TDs on the year while averaging 3.5 receptions per game to boot. The former first-round draft pick gets a favorable matchup versus the Seahawks in Week 7, a rush defense that has yielded big games to the New England backfield (177 yards) in Week 2, the Detroit backs in Week 4 (118), and even the Giants' Tyrone Tracy in Week 5 (129). Next week's matchup boasts one of the highest expected totals as well, so there should be plenty of offense and Robinson stands to benefit again.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Oct 14 12:40am ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught seven of his nine targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Downs led all Colts in targets, receptions, and yards in the matchup. Downs has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Joe Flacco's starting in Indy, seeing nine-plus targets in each of his last three games. While it's unclear who the starter at QB will be for the Colts moving forward, Downs is a clear favorite in the offense, and fantasy managers can prioritize him as such. He'll look to keep the momentum going in Week 7 when the Colts take on the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Mike McCarthy Oct 14 12:30am ET
Mike McCarthy

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refused to entertain the idea of a coaching change following Sunday's 47-9 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions at home. "I haven't even considered it," Jones said. "I'm not considering that. So you're clear, I'm not considering that." The owner's comments suggest that head coach Mike McCarthy's job is safe for the time being. Indeed, it would be bold for the Cowboys to relieve their head coach with a 3-3 record after six weeks, but there's also no denying that the Cowboys have underperformed. They're currently third in the NFC West, and Sunday's defeat at the hands of Detroit was the Cowboys' worst home loss during Jones' 34-year stint as the franchise's owner. The road doesn't get any easier for the Cowboys, who head into a Week 7 bye but then play their next five games against the 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Allen Oct 14 12:20am ET
Jonathan Allen

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (pectoral) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He finished Week 6 with two tackles, bringing his season total up to 15. The 29-year-old is known for being an impact player on defense for Washington, so the Commanders suddenly find themselves shorthanded without both him and Dorance Armstrong (ribs).

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Oct 14 12:20am ET
Courtland Sutton

Things weren't looking great for Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton's fantasy managers for most of the Week 6 contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday until late in the fourth quarter. Sutton's final line was four catches on six targets for 53 yards and his second touchdown reception of the year. The 29-year-old's 37-yard TD grab was a highlight-reel catch near the back of the end zone in which he laid out and initially caught the ball one-handed. If not for the amazing catch, though, he would have finished with another very mediocre fantasy day. Sutton will likely continue to be more of a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex for fantasy managers, but the good news is that rookie quarterback Bo Nix has shown improvement in the last five weeks with five touchdowns and only one pick. Sutton will be looking to keep the positive momentum and score for the second straight game in a Week 7 Thursday night clash against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Oct 14 12:10am ET
Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele came out of nowhere to lead the Broncos with 78 receiving yards in the 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Both Vele's four receptions and six targets were tied with Courtland Sutton for the team lead on a day in which the Broncos' offense did all of its damage in the fourth quarter in comeback mode down 23 points. In his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, he caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards before missing time with an injury and then being a healthy scratch the last several weeks. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah appears to have some nice chemistry with fellow rookie QB Bo Nix, and more opportunities will remain with Josh Reynolds (finger) missing at least the next three games while on IR. However, Vaughn should only be a deep-league waiver-wire consideration in Denver's low-scoring offense.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Oct 14 12:00am ET
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had the best game of his season in last week's win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders but followed it up with a miserable performance in the 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Williams finished with six carries for only 23 yards and a lost fumble, adding three catches on six targets for 13 receiving yards. He had as many carries as quarterback Bo Nix, and his nine touches tied a season low. About the only positive on the day was that his six targets tied for the team high. Outside of Williams' 111-yard scrimmage day in Week 5, he has done very little for fantasy managers and just hasn't looked explosive at all as Denver's lead back. Through six weeks, the 24-year-old has also yet to find the end zone. It won't get any easier on a quick turnaround next Thursday on the road in a hostile environment against the Saints. Williams will be a low-upside, low-floor RB3/flex for that one.

From RotoBaller

Jaleel McLaughlin Oct 14 12:00am ET
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin had season-low-tying three carries for eight yards in the 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, adding two catches on two targets for 17 yards through the air. Rookie Audric Estime, who was activated from Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut on Sunday, had two carries for 13 yards. McLaughlin has found the end zone twice in six games, but he's had double-digits in carries just once (back in Week 1) and hasn't topped 46 yards on the ground. It's been a theme this year so far of the Broncos' ground game being stuck in the mud, and that theme returned against a tough Bolts defense. Now that Estime is in the fold as the RB3 in Denver's backfield, it will be even harder for McLaughlin to return any fantasy value in deeper formats. RotoBaller won't be recommending the second-year back for starting lineups in Week 7 against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Oct 13 11:50pm ET
Bo Nix

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix began his NFL career without throwing a single touchdown pass in his first three games, but in the last three games, he has five TD tosses, including two more in the 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. A lot of Nix's production -- he went 19-for-33 passing for 216 yards, two TDs and an interception -- came late in the second quarter with the Broncos in rush mode while down by 23 points. The 12th overall pick also used his legs to pick up some big chunk gains for first downs, running six times for a season-high 61 yards to lead Denver in rushing. It certainly wasn't pretty for most of this game, but Nix turned it on late to finish with a respectable performance. He has a 5:1 TD-to-interception the last three weeks and has shown progress running the offense. The 24-year-old's fantasy needle is pointing up slightly as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues heading into next Thursday's matchup against the Saints.

From RotoBaller