QB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 16 11:43am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Fields has favorable schedules


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. Cardinals 306.38
2. Rams 310.07
3. Steelers 311.41
4. Browns 317.33
5.. Giants 317.62
6. 49ers 318.15
7. Commanders 318.63
8. Seahawks 321.21
9. Ravens 321.91
10. Dolphins 322.79
11. Titans 323.06
12. Cowboys 323.75
13. Bengals 324.01
14. Patriots 324.76
15. Jets 324.87
16. Jaguars 324.89
17. Colts 326.57
18. Eagles 327.66
19. Bills 328.78
20. Chiefs 330.32
21. Texans 331.97
22. Lions 335.42
23. Vikings 336.23
24. Buccaneers 336.54
25. Raiders 338.15
26. Broncos 338.86
27. Falcons 340.01
28. Bears 342.46
29. Panthers 343.98
30. Saints 345.59
31. Chargers 346.54
32. Packers 350.83


The Packers have the most favorable fantasy quarterback schedule in the league this year, so that could bode well for Jordan Love as he takes over the starting duties in Green Bay. Justin Herbert and the Charges have the second easiest schedule for fantasy quarterbacks. This is great news for new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who already seems to be pass happy when calling plays. Maybe Herbert makes a run at top fantasy quarterback in the league this year. 

The Saints, Panthers and Bears round out the top five easiest schedules. Derek Carr could do well in year one in New Orleans. Rookie Bryce Young is likely to have some growing pains, but also could have some big games with this favorable schedule. And Justin Fields had his issues throwing the ball last year, but could take some more steps forward this year with some new receivers and a favorable schedule. Things are sure looking up for Fields. 

On the flipside, the Cardinals gets the toughest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. Kyler Murray is already returning from a torn ACL and likely to miss some time. He also could move to a more balanced offense, so he has several strikes against him this year. He might be best served on a roster other than your own. 

The Rams, Steelers, Browns and Giants also get tough schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford is another quarterback with some question marks even without the tough schedule, so he is another player you might want to just avoid. Many think Deshaun Watson could get back to his old ways this year, but it might not be so easy with a tough fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. And lastly, Daniel Jones made huge strides last year, but gets a much tougher fantasy schedule this season. He could be a little more up and down despite taking big strides last year. 

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. Giants 294.86
2. Commanders 299.55
3. Rams 305.64
4. Chargers 310.39
5. Jets 310.46
6. Jaguars 313.73
7. Chiefs 314.00
8. Titans 315.40
9. Steelers 317.85
10. Cardinals 318.13
11. Browns 322.15
12. Saints 323.01
13. Eagles 323.15
14. Panthers 324.81
15. Buccaneers 324.81
16. 49ers 325.84
17. Dolphins 326.83
18. Colts 327.40
19. Patriots 327.48
20. Seahawks 329.15
21. Texans 332.49
22. Lions 336.23
23. Vikings 336.36
24. Ravens 336.60
25. Bills 339.35
26. Packers 341.80
27. Broncos 346.53
28. Bears 348.53
29. Cowboys 351.88
30. Falcons 352.74
31. Raiders 357.93
32. Bengals 364.06


The Bengals have the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for quarterbacks. This makes Joe Burrow even more intriguing this year. He could be a difference maker in the playoffs. The Raiders, Falcons, Cowboys and Bears also have good schedules. Fields is a little more intriguing, making both regular season and playoff lists for easiest schedules. And Dak Prescott is a big name on the playoff list, so he is another player to consider in those big money games. He could finish strong. 

Jones makes both lists, which is a concern. He has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for quarterbacks. This makes taking him as your No. 1 quarterback a little more difficult come draft day. The Commanders, Rams, Chargers and Jets round out the top five for toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is intriguing to see the Chargers on the list after having one of the easiest fantasy season regular schedules for quarterback. It is tough to bet against Herbert, though, so he might be worth the high pick despite some tougher matchups in the playoffs. 

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 [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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