The Strength of Schedule takes the results from all defensive performances last season and then applies the stats allowed against quarterbacks, running backs and receivers to determine who will have the easier schedule. This is determined by taking the best and worst venues for offenses to face and comparing those statistics allowed against the current NFL schedule for each team. Unlike strength of schedules used during the regular season which only considers the 32 defenses, this look back at last year considers the 64 venues that can happen – facing each defense either home or away.

To remove the effects of the really bad or good odd game, defensive performances last year have their best and worst game removed before determining their average fantasy points allowed for each position.

Three different views are given below – Weeks 1 to 6 show what players will face as they start the season. Weeks 1 through 16 are shown for a full season view and weeks 14 to 16 show the most common weeks for fantasy playoffs. Below that is the NFL schedule marked for each team to show when they have good (green) or bad (red) match-ups. Bye weeks are considered a bad matchup since the player is unavailable for your fantasy team that week. This is important especially considering the Dorey Rule – “draft as if the season only lasted the first six weeks”.

This analysis considers running backs awarded 0.1 points per rushed or received yard and six point touchdowns.

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Best Schedules:

Arian Foster – When there are no reception points involved, Foster gets the top schedule and he already has seen improvement in the Bill O’Brien scheme when he went rose to a 4.8 YPC last year and enters his 29th year – maybe the final hurrah for this fantasy difference maker.

Chris Johnson/Chris Ivory – The Jets get a softer rushing schedule and are expected to run plenty in the new Chan Gailey scheme but the reality is that they had a great schedule last year and never did much with it. While Johnson may have one more season left in his 30 year old legs, the last two seasons says he probably already done.

Frank Gore – The 32-year old Gore takes his swan song in Indianapolis and he was never used much as a receiver in the last five years anyway. He’ll get to punch in touchdowns and help move the sticks in an Andrew Luck offense that should give him even more chances than the 49ers could last year. A lighter schedule only helps him even more.

Worst Schedules:

Jeremy Hill – He ended 2014 with sever very nice games and while his schedule is poor this year, the reality is that it wasn’t that great last year. And two of his biggest games went against the Steelers and Browns who he faces twice every year. It is troublesome that he ends up with three straight bad venues during the fantasy playoffs.

Matt Forte – While he gets added yardage from receiving, that may not be as much as his record 808 yards last season with the new coaching regime. He also enjoyed a far lighter schedule in 2014. Forte is still a top ten back without a doubt but a chance in offense, a tougher schedule and no reception points makes him a riskier pick for 2015.

Tre Mason – His rookie season really only had two good games and those were at home against non-divisional opponents. Now he’ll have to face five straight bad venues and a bye to start the season and then end in fantasy playoff championships playing in Seattle. Makes a sophomore breakout far more challenging.

Week – By – Week