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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Value Picks: Week 11

Player Notes
Devin Singletary Nov 16 10:20pm CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary averaged only 2.8 yards per carry on the ground (44 yards) in the 27-20 loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but he scored two touchdowns and had a season-high 16 rushing attempts. It was a high-volume day for New York's rushing attack, as Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the team with 19 carries and 88 rushing yards. Singletary's 16 rushing attempts doubled his previous high of eight, which he had in each of the last two games since Cam Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury. The 28-year-old caught one of his three targets for three yards through the air. Singletary will remain involved going into a tough Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions, but he's the clear No. 2 behind Tracy and should be viewed as a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in fantasy. His two TDs on Sunday were his first of the year, and he entered the day averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per tote.

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Jaleel McLaughlin Nov 16 10:13pm CT
Jaleel McLaughlin

Dynasty | Broncos running back RJ Harvey had 30 rushing yards, three catches and 20 receiving yards in a win over the Chiefs. Dynasty Analysis: The Broncos won the game on the back of their defense as their offense really didn't do too much. This was a disappointing day for Harvey, who was making his audition as the lead back with JK Dobbins out for the season. On the plus side, Jaleel McLaughlin only had six carries and Harvey looks like a player who should get plenty of opportunities moving forward. His ADP is stable at the moment.

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Jordan Love Nov 16 10:10pm CT
Jordan Love

It wasn't an amazing statistical day for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in the 27-20 victory in Week 11 over the New York Giants on Sunday, but he did manage to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 8. Love finished the game going 13-for-24 passing for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions while carrying the ball only twice for seven yards. The 27-year-old was sacked twice for a loss of 12 yards and also tossed a successful two-point conversion. He briefly left the contest due to a left-shoulder injury, but he was able to return and lead the Packers to their sixth win of the season. Love's TDs went to Josh Whyle and Christian Watson, who scored twice on the day. The fifth-year signal-caller has limited turnovers this year, but otherwise, he hasn't been anything special for fantasy managers. Going into a tough Week 12 matchup against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings (possibly without star RB Josh Jacobs), Love will be a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

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Kenneth Walker III Nov 16 10:00pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III got into the end zone for only the third time this year and the first time since Week 3 in the 21-19 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. Walker led Seattle with 16 carries for 67 yards on the ground and a touchdown, adding three catches (three targets) for a season-high 44 yards in the passing game. In a game in which quarterback Sam Darnold struggled and threw four interceptions, the 25-year-old Walker stabilized the Seahawks' offense and scored their only touchdown of the game. It was only the third time in 2025 that he has surpassed 100 scrimmage yards despite a healthy 4.5 yard-per-carry average. Walker has been very efficient this year with his touches, but more importantly, he's managed to stay healthy and hold off backfield mate Zach Charbonnet. Keep him in your fantasy lineups as an RB2 with more upside next week in a juicy matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

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Christian Watson Nov 16 9:50pm CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson broke out in his fourth game of the season in Sunday's 27-20 win on the road at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants, catching four of his five targets for 46 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season. Watson didn't make his 2025 debut until Week 8 after tearing the ACL in his knee in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year. In his first three games, he caught eight of his 12 targets for 188 yards and no scores. The 26-year-old scored in the first and fourth quarters in the Week 11 win, with his second TD reception being a contested-catch grab with multiple receivers draped all over him in the end zone. Targets might be harder to come by when Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) returns from Injured Reserve, but for now, Watson should remain a key contributor and big-play specialist in the Packers' offense. Watson will be in play as a WR4/flex with big-play upside in a Week 12 divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings.

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James Cook Nov 16 9:40pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook wasn't very efficient on the ground in Sunday's 44-32 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, but he still managed to go over 100 scrimmage yards while securing his first receiving touchdown of the year. Cook had 16 rushing attempts for 48 yards on the ground (3.0 yards per carry) while adding three catches on three targets for a season-high 66 yards through the air and his first receiving TD (eighth total in 2025). The 26-year-old had a tough time finding space to run on Sunday against a stout Buccaneers defensive front, but he salvaged his day for fantasy managers by contributing as a pass-catcher, finishing as Buffalo's second leading receiver. Cook's TD came on a 25-yard reception. He's a must-start in all fantasy formats, but Cook might need more contributions as a pass-catcher again in Week 12 in a tough matchup on the ground against the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football.

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Brock Purdy Nov 16 9:10pm CT
Brock Purdy

In his first game since Week 4, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 200 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his team's 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Purdy missed six games due to a toe injury, but he appears to be regaining his health at the perfect time for San Francisco. Across three starts in 2025, Purdy has now thrown for 786 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. In addition to Purdy, the 49ers also got wide receiver Ricky Pearsall back from a knee injury that has sidelined him from Week 4. The return of both players helped San Francisco put up a season-high 41 points against Arizona. Purdy profiles as a low-end starting quarterback option in single-QB fantasy leagues and a must-start quarterback in two-QB formats heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

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Travis Kelce Nov 16 9:00pm CT
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was the focal point of his team's passing offense in their 22-19 Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Kelce was targeted a team-high 13 times, recording nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. The 36-year-old has now recorded 50 receptions for 631 yards and four scores on 66 targets across 10 games so far this season. Kelce has played some of his best football of late, recording 19 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns on 26 targets over his last three games. Even with star wideout Rashee Rice back in the lineup after missing the first six games of 2025 due to suspension, Kelce has still been a priority target-earner for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kelce profiles as a must-start fantasy tight end heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Harold Fannin Jr. Nov 16 8:40pm CT
Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.caught two of his five targets for 26 yards in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Fannin's quiet afternoon in the passing game was still good enough for a second-place finish on the Browns in receiving yards, as they only threw for 115 yards as a team. The rookie tight end has been a solid fantasy asset this season, although he has cooled off a bit over his past two games, with just six catches for 70 scoreless yards over that span. He will look to get back into the end zone in Week 12's road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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David Njoku Nov 16 8:40pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku continued his recent quiet stretch in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Njoku finished the game with just one catch for seven yards on two targets. The veteran tight end has only caught three passes for 28 yards and one touchdown over his past two games as the Browns have not been looking his way frequently when they drop back to pass. Extremely hard to trust as a fantasy starter going forward, Njoku will hope to get his season jump-started in Week 12 on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Derrick Henry Nov 16 8:40pm CT
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry broke his two-game touchdown-less streak in his team's Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns. Henry rushed for 103 yards and a score on 18 carries and added two catches for 19 yards on two targets. The 31-year-old has now recorded 807 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across 10 games so far this season. In the three games since Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for over a month, Henry is averaging 99 rushing yards per game. With Baltimore getting back to its winning ways and the offense finding itself in more favorable game scripts, Henry looks to be back to his old self. He profiles as a must-start fantasy running back heading into a Week 12 matchup against the New York Jets.

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Drake London Nov 16 8:30pm CT
Drake London

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the knee injury Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) suffered in Week 11 is "not thought to be overly serious." Schefter also reports that London will undergo additional tests to determine the "extent of the injury and how much time he will miss, if any." London was forced to exit early from his team's Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers due to the injury. Before getting hurt, he recorded seven catches for 119 yards on nine targets. Any absence for London would be a devastating blow for the Atlanta offense. Across nine games this season, the 24-year-old has hauled in 60 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns on 94 targets. If he misses time, Falcons wideout Darnell Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. would both be in for a bump in targets. Atlanta will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in Week 12.

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Cedric Tillman Nov 16 8:30pm CT
Cedric Tillman

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman caught three of his four targets for 52 yards in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Tillman wound up leading the Browns in receiving in a game where they only threw for 115 yards. Things weren't helped by the fact that Dillon Gabriel was knocked out of the game with a concussion and Shedeur Sanders only completed four of his 16 passes in relief. Tillman has not found the end zone since Week 2 but his decent outing on Sunday was at least encouraging. He will look to build on that in Week 12's road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Jerry Jeudy Nov 16 8:30pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught just three of his seven targets for 21 yards in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Jeudy turned in his best performance of the season back in Week 10, catching six of his 12 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown, but was unable to stay hot against the Ravens, despite what appeared to be a plus matchup for receivers on paper. Jeudy is turning in a disappointing season as the Browns' No. 1 receiver and has been borderline unusable in fantasy most weeks. He will look to break out in Week 12's road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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George Kittle Nov 16 8:30pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle had a vintage game in Week 11, recording six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns on six targets in his team's 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Kittle showed off his established chemistry with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who made his first start since Week 4. The 32-year-old Kittle has now hauled in 27 catches for 251 yards and five touchdowns on 30 targets across six games played this season. He's heating up of late, recording 15 receptions for 151 yards and three scores over the last two weeks. Kittle profiles as a must-start tight end heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

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Aaron Rodgers Nov 16 8:20pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

There's initial concern that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a "slight break" in his left wrist, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that Rodgers will undergo further testing on Monday, but it's "shaping up" to be Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph who gets the start in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Rodgers was forced to exit early from Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Rudolph played well after taking over for Rodgers against Cincinnati, completing 12 of 16 pass attempts for 127 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. It's unclear exactly how long Rodgers will be sidelined, but it appears as though Rudolph will be forced into action in the short term.

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Quinshon Judkins Nov 16 8:20pm CT
Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins carried the ball 17 times for 59 yards and failed to catch either of his two targets in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Judkins was unable to capitalize on what appeared to be a good matchup on paper against the Baltimore run defense, as he managed just 3.5 yards per carry in the loss. The rookie has now been held out of the end zone in three consecutive games as the Cleveland offense continues to struggle to move the ball. Judkins will look to bounce back in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road.

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Jacoby Brissett Nov 16 8:10pm CT
Jacoby Brissett

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 47 of his 57 pass attempts for 452 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during Sunday's Week 11 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. Brissett's 47 completions broke the NFL's all-time single-game record, surpassing Jared Goff and Drew Bledsoe, who both once had 45 completions. The two turnovers are a blemish on his stat line, but the veteran quarterback still drastically exceeded expectations in fantasy football, even without Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) at his disposal. He has 11 total touchdowns in five games since taking over for Kyler Murray (foot), and during that span, he ranks as the overall QB4 in fantasy points per game. He has emerged as a must-start quarterback for Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Trey McBride Nov 16 8:00pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught 10 of his 11 targets for 115 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 11 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. McBride was already the top weapon in Arizona's passing attack, but he took on an even larger role this week with Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) sidelined. The tight end benefited from Jacoby Brissett completing 47 passes, which is a new NFL all-time single-game record. McBride now has five consecutive games with a touchdown, scoring six different times in that span. He'll remain a must-start, high-end TE1 even after Harrison returns to action. The Cardinals will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12.

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Christian McCaffrey Nov 16 7:50pm CT
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 13 carries for 81 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught five of his six targets for an additional 40 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The superstar running back continues to demonstrate excellence as a rusher and receiver, and his big game officially propelled him past Jonathan Taylor for the overall RB1 spot (PPR) through 11 weeks. Given that he was a late-first-round pick in most redraft leagues this year, managers are getting even more than they expected from the 29-year-old. He remains a must-start RB1 for Week 12 against his old team, the Carolina Panthers.

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