QB Strength of Schedule
Thu May 23 11:12am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
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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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) is officially active on Sunday for the divisional contest at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears in Week 11. Alexander came into Sunday's game with a questionable tag but will end up being active after being limited in practice all week. It's good news for Green Bay's secondary as they go up against a struggling Bears passing offense that just fired their offensive coordinator. The 27-year-old Alexander will be returning after missing the Week 10 contest. The oft-injured defensive back -- he's missed three games in 2024 after missing 10 last year -- will look to slow down Chicago's trio of receivers in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze. The two-time Pro Bowler isn't on the IDP fantasy radar for starting lineups and has only 16 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his six games this year.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (personal) is active for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable despite being a full participant in practice this week. A personal matter had sidelined Mayer since Week 4, but he was activated from injured reserve on Saturday and is officially suiting up in Week 11. He'll presumably operate as the direct backup to Brock Bowers. Mayer remains off the fantasy radar for the time being.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (wrist, illness) is officially active for Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran receiver missed two consecutive practices before returning in a full capacity on Friday. He has impressed through four games with the Jets, amassing 39 targets, 20 catches, 206 yards, and one touchdown. The 31-year-old ranks as a strong WR3/FLEX option against the Colts.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) is officially inactive for Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. He had been listed as doubtful. Pruitt endured a five-week absence earlier in the season, returned for three games, and is now sidelined again. He has appeared in five contests, catching just two of four targets for 19 yards. Pruitt's absence leaves Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward as Pittsburgh's healthy options at tight end.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (back) is officially active for Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. Warren had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. He missed practice on Thursday before returning in a limited capacity on Friday. The 26-year-old has operated as the clear backup to Najee Harris this season, totaling 55 carries for 217 rushing yards and 14 catches for 96 receiving yards over the course of seven games. He did have his best performance of the season last week, totaling 66 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. He also added 56 kick return yards but lost a fumble. Warren ranks as a low-end fantasy RB3 versus Baltimore's strong run defense.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle) is officially active on Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packers in Week 11 at Soldier Field after entering the contest with a questionable tag due to an ankle injury. Sweat did not practice on Wednesday but put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday before being cleared Sunday morning. The 28-year-old missed the Week 9 game with a shin injury but will play through his ankle issue this weekend. He's been a disappointment in his first full season with the Bears, as he comes into Sunday's divisional tilt with only 16 tackles (10 solo), 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, seven QB hits, two pass breakups and one forced fumble in eight starts after posting a career-high 12.5 sacks in 17 starts with the Bears and Washington Commanders a year ago. Sweat will try to get to quarterback Jordan Love early and often in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill has struggled to produce over the last few weeks. The 27-year-old had a couple big fantasy performances, but has mostly been quiet this season. Hill has been barely involved in the rushing game, so his best chance to do damage is in the receiving game. Fellow back Keaton Mitchell figures to be in the mix for the Week 11 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's hard to imagine Hill having a significant role in the offense with Derrick Henry healthy. Hill is still worth stashing in certain formats, but won't be a starting option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Pacheco continues to work his way back from a broken leg he suffered in Week 2. He was limited in practice this week, so it sounds like he's trending in the right direction. The expectation is that Pacheco will return in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers. This would give the young back a plus matchup for his first game back on the field. It's uncertain if the team plans to put him on a snap count if he plays next week. Until then, Kareem Hunt will continue being the lead back in KC for at least one more week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has taken a value hit after his hot start to the season given the current state of the offense without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring). Aubrey's chances to score points are limited with the offense's recent struggles, and that should not change ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. He drilled two field goals last week against Philadelphia, scoring the Cowboys' only points in the game. Look elsewhere for a kicker in Week 11 given Aubrey's low ceiling.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been one of the worst units in the league this season, even after getting linebacker Micah Parsons back last week. They surrendered 34 points to Philadelphia last week and are averaging 34.5 points given up per game in the previous four games. They play Houston on Monday night in what is a perfect get-right game for an offense that is getting healthy with receiver Nico Collins expected to return to action. Even after stuffing the stat sheet with five sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception last week, the Dallas defense should be avoided until proven otherwise.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (back) appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Boyd was a late addition to the injury report as he was added on Saturday due to a back issue. It sounds like the organization is hopeful that Boyd can play, but he hasn't done much on the field lately anyway. Boyd hasn't drawn a target since Week 8 and is barely on the fantasy radar for Week 11. If he sits, Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would see more involvement in the offense on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is entrenched as the starter for another week heading into Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. It is a mid-range matchup, as Houston ranks 19th against opposing quarterbacks, but Rush grades as a QB3 given how inefficient he has been this season and the potential of Trey Lance replacing him at any given moment. Rush was a full participant in practice all week with a neck injury. It is also worth noting that CeeDee Lamb (back) popped up on Saturday's injury report. While Mike McCarthy noted that Lamb's injury should not impact his game status, he still has a questionable tag which further downgrades Rush's outlook for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been a non-factor from a fantasy standpoint in 2024, and that should not change ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. Head coach Mike McCarthy stated earlier this week that the backfield is no longer a committee with Rico Dowdle operating as the main back. This should result in even less touches for Elliott, who was already averaging just 7.6 touches per game. In an inefficient Dallas offense, Elliott is not a fantasy option this week.
From RotoBaller
Head coach Doug Pederson appears to be on the hotseat after a horrendous start to the season. The Jaguars are 2-8 heading into a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 11. It sounds like another loss on Sunday could mean Pederson is let go from his coaching duties. The Jaguars have a bye week after playing the Lions, so in theory that would be the best time to make a change if they were going to do it mid-season. Nothing seems to be going right in Jacksonville and they're a double digit underdog for Sunday's game against the Lions. To be fair, Mac Jones is under center for Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), but the team has played poorly no matter who is under center.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is set to make his debut on Monday night against the Houston Texans. The second-year receiver was acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline. With CeeDee Lamb (back) listed as questionable, Mingo could see a larger role than he would typically have this week. Houston's defense is susceptible to receivers, although with the uncanny situation in Dallas there are not many intriguing options from a fantasy standpoint. Mingo should not be on the fantasy radar, although his usage on Monday night should be monitored.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (illness) was uncertain coming into this game, but appears ready to go after getting in a full practice session on Friday. Fantasy managers might be hesitant to start Ferguson during this Week 11 matchup against the Houston Texans. The entire Cowboys offense has taken a hit with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) being done for the season. Last week, Ferguson hauled in four of his five targets for 24 yards in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooper Rush hasn't looked good under center, so Ferguson shouldn't be considered anything more than a TE2.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III saw a season-high six targets during last week's win over the Washington Commanders. Sadly, Austin was only able to haul in two of those six targets for 20 yards. It was nice to see Austin getting more targets in the offense, but that might not remain the case for long. Newly acquired wideout Mike Williams figures to have a bigger role in Week 11 after making his team debut last week. Austin has struggled throughout most of the season, so fantasy managers shouldn't take the risk and keep him on the bench until he gives reason to start him.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) is facing an uphill battle to play in Week 11's game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in two of the team's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis. If he is held out of action this afternoon, Eric Saubert would likely be San Francisco's starting tight end but he would not be a recommended fantasy option in any format.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is coming off his best performance of the season. Last week, Sanders knocked down all three field goal attempts, including a 50-yard kick in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. He also connected on both extra point attempts in what was a busy day for the veteran kicker. Sanders will once again have a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. The Dolphins should have little issues moving the ball against the Raiders defense which should give Sanders plenty of chances. Fantasy managers in need of a kicker should take a look at Sanders this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III put together his best game of his career during last week's loss over the Detroit Lions. Metchie hauled in five of his six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in the three-point loss. The 23-year-old recorded a career-high in both receptions and receiving yards during this game. However, Metchie is likely to see a smaller role in the offense with Nico Collins (hamstring) returning for Monday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The return of Collins means that Metchie will fall to third in the pecking order. Metchie was barely involved all season until last week, so fantasy managers shouldn't count on another strong performance in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
