The National Football League has a strength of schedule formula that's simple to understand ... take the opponent's records from the previous season, add up the wins and losses and calculate a percentage. Our fantasy points allowed (FPA) rating is similar, as it uses statistics (fantasy points) surrendered by opponents the previous year against a single position both at home and on the road instead of team records. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs allowed an average of 17.54 fantasy points per road game to quarterbacks in 2013. As a result, any runner who faces them at home this season is rewarded 17.54 points. The bigger the point total, the easier the schedule.
These ratings are not to be confused with player rankings and are not the be-all, end-all in determining a player's stock. However, owners should use them when picking between players with similar value and looking for potential sleepers.
1. Matt Schaub, Oakland Raiders (16.07 points):
Home:Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Away:Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outlook: The interception bug didn't just bit Schaub last season, it made a meal of him. Then it took that meal and returned it for a touchdown. It's hard to imagine Schaub repeating last season's pick-six ignominy, but there are still reasons for fantasy owners to take a cautious approach. First, he still has four games against the stout defenses of the NFC West. Those won't be a cakewalk. Second, he'll work with a receiving corps that doesn't exactly jump off the page -- even with the addition of free agent James Jones. Schaub is likely to be a matchup-based starter in 2014.
T-2. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (15.99 points):
Home:Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Away:Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Outlook: This just doesn't seem fair. Take the league's reigning king of quarterbacks, give him a high-powered offense and a variety of pass-catching options and put him up against a favorable schedule. Well ... it just doesn't seem fair. Manning was likely to be the first quarterback off the board in most fantasy leagues regardless of schedule. Having this slate is just going to make him a lot more attractive option. It will be a shock if he throws 50 touchdown passes again this season, but it will be equally shocking if Manning doesn't finish the season among the top five at his position.
T-2. Eli Manning, New York Giants (15.99 points):
Home:Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away:Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
2014 Outlook: A favorable schedule is just one of the things that could give fantasy owners some hope of an Eli resurrection this season. The other is new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. But that optimism could be dampened by the fact that Manning the Younger has thrown 15 or more interceptions in four straight seasons. It's going to take more than a change in the offense to gloss over those numbers. It will also take a bounce back from Victor Cruz. Even then, it's not likely to be enough to get Eli drafted as more than a low-end QB2 ... if at all.
4. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (15.93 points):
Home:Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Away:Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
2014 Outlook: Kaepernick has plenty of things in his favor -- a healthy Michael Crabtree to go along with Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. Add a schedule that includes some of the woebegone defenses of the NFC East to it. The Niners QB started to pick things up in the second half of the season, not coincidentally when Crabtree returned to action. Of course, Kaepernick also remains a threat to score fantasy points with his legs as well. If he can avoid the slow start that plagued him in 2013, he'll be a top 10 fantasy quarterback in 2014.
5. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (15.79 points):
Home:St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Away:St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
2014 Outlook: Over the past few seasons, Palmer has been reduced to a matchup-based option in most fantasy leagues. Adding another year to his age isn't likely to change that designation. Nor is playing a loaded NFC west schedule. But there is a silver lining with the NFC East on the slate as well as the Lions and Falcons, who were quarterback-friendly in 2013. The Cardinals have an intriguing group of pass-catchers, including veteran fantasy star Larry Fitzgerald. But it doesn't seem to be enough to boost the sagging value of a signal-caller that has has averaged 18 interceptions per year over the past four seasons.
6. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (15.72 points):
Home:New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away:New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
2014 Outlook: Romo has consistently hovered on the edge of being a low QB1 or a high QB2. The offense he plays in is geared toward allowing him to put the football in the air frequently and he has the pass-catchers that will help him to be productive. Romo also has six games this season against Philadelphia, Washington and New York, which is a boon for any fantasy quarterback. He also has four games against the NFC West ... which isn't. All in all, Romo's schedule tends toward favorable, but it doesn't seem likely to make him more than he has been throughout his career. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
7. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (15.69 points):
Home:Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away:Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
2014 Outlook: Tannehill took a positive step in his development in his second season -- certainly the addition of Mike Wallace helped. However, he's still solidly among the ranks of No. 2 fantasy quarterbacks. Perhaps the addition of Knowhson Moreno to an inconsistent running game will help. It could also help to have games against the Vikings, Raiders, Jaguars and Chargers. While Tannehill could creep ever closer to the top 10 plateau, it probably won't happen this season. Don't reach for him.
8. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (15.65 points):
Home:Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away:Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
2014 Outlook: 2013 was a rollercoaster for Brady. Some of that has to do with the veteran quarterback breaking in a new group of pass-catchers. But even finishing 14th at his position last season shouldn't lead fantasy owners to think Brady is completely washed up. Still, this schedule isn't likely to do him a lot of favors. The Raiders and Broncos could offer some nice home matchups, while the Packers and Vikings could offer hospitable road accommodations. If Brady is going to return to the top 10, he'll need to step it up against an AFC East slate that isn't exactly a pushover.
9. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans (15.63 points):
Home:Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away:Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
2014 Outlook: It remains to be seen if the Texans will be counting on Fitzmagic in Week 1 or whether they will hand the reins to a rookie. Whoever the starter will be, he'll face a tall task going through the AFC South. The Titans were very troublesome for QBs last season. The Colts and Ravens weren't a cakewalk, either. If there is hay to be made, it'll come in matchups with the Cowboys, Raiders and Jaguars. Right now, there are far too many questions to seriously consider drafting a Texans quarterback.
10. EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills (15.62 points):
Home:Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away:Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
2014 Outlook: As is often the case with rookies, Manuel was a beacon of inconsistency in 2013. It didn't help that injuries kept him out of six games. There are some nice matchups on the schedule for Manuel -- notably games against the Vikings, Packers and Broncos. But most of the slate features middle-of-the-road opponents. The bigger issue for Manuel's fantasy future will depend more on his development in Year Two as well as any rapport he can build with the WR duo of Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods. Either way, the Bills are likely to still rely heavily on the run, which makes Manuel a QB best left on the board in 2014.
11. Geno Smith, New York Jets (15.59 points):
Home:Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away:Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
2014 Outlook: Smith is going to have a battle to win the starting job from Michael Vick, though the second-year quarterback will certainly be given every opportunity. Considering how well Smith finished last season -- he averaged more than 20 points per game over the final four weeks -- both the Jets and fantasy owners should be encouraged about what this year's schedule could mean for his prospects in 2014. That doesn't mean Smith will start for you every week. But you shouldn't feel terrible about having him as your backup.
12. Shaun Hill, St. Louis Rams (15.56 points):
Home:Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Away:Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
2014 Outlook: With Sam Bradford once again sidelined with an ACL tear, Shaun Hill now steps in to lead the offense. He has talent at the wide receiver position, but will have to find a consistent playmaker. Next, he needs to navigate six games against ferocious NFC West rivals. The silver lining comes in the form of the NFC East as well as the Raiders and Chargers. Hill could have some nice games as a bye-week replacement, but to draft him as anything other than a second quarterback would be a mistake.
13. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (15.52 points):
Home:Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away:Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
2014 Outlook: Rodgers qualifies as one of the fantasy quarterbacks that is schedule-proof. Few, if any, enthusiasts would shy away from one of the game's best signal-callers simply because of a few poor matchups. The upside here is that the Packers' schedule isn't the worst one you'll encounter. Two games against the Jared Allen-less Vikings is a definite positive. The same goes for contests against the Bucs and Eagles. Rodgers should also have some good outings against the Packers defense. Too bad you don't get fantasy points for practice outings.
14. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (15.50 points):
Home:Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away:Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Outlook: A sketchy schedule won't scare people away from Aaron Rodgers. The same applies to Brees. And while two games against the Panthers isn't a picnic, the Saints also get to see the Falcons and Buccaneers a total of four times this season. There are a couple of other soft spots on the schedule (Cowboys, Vikings, Packers), but the biggest issue for Brees' fortunes could be the offseason outcome of Jimmy Graham's contract negotiations. Not having the game-changing tight end roaming the field could have a negative impact. Regardless, Brees will still be one of the first three quarterbacks off the board.
15. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (15.49 points):
Home:Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away:Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
2014 Outlook: Foles was a fantasy revelation last season. In part because of Chip Kelly's high-powered offensive system. But also in part because of Foles' chance to pick apart the moribund secondaries in his division. Neither of those two things will change in 2014. What could be different is Foles' ability to protect the football. It seems unlikely that he'll throw just two interceptions this season -- especially with the 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Cardinals being among the games he'll play outside of the division. Foles will also need to do it without DeSean Jackson, who caught the vast majority of his throws last season. He has the potential to be a top five quarterback, but there's also an equal chance for a dropoff.
16. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (15.48 points):
Home:Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away:Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
2014 Outlook: Luck was never a high-volume fantasy scorer in 2013 -- only twice did he top 25 points in a week. It was his consistency that helped him land as the fourth-highest scoring player at his position. Unless everyone's eyes have been deceiving them, Luck is poised to remain in the upper echelon of NFL (and fantasy) quarterbacks for seasons to come. Having Hakeem Nicks to go along with Reggie Wayne won't hurt, either. However, the third-year QB could find himself tested with games against the Titans, Texans, Bengals and Browns. Nonetheless, it shouldn't be enough to scare anyone away from making him one of the first few signal-callers off the board.
17. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (15.47 points):
Home:Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Away:Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
2014 Outlook: Wilson is a fantasy riddle wrapped inside an NFL enigma. Based on the totals from his first two seasons in the league, the Seahawks quarterback has established himself as the type of fantasy option that won't necessarily win you a lot of championships, but he won't kill your chances, either. Only once did Wilson score more than 25 points in a week. Likewise, he only posted a single-digit total once as well. Beware of his NFC West-heavy schedule as well as a game at Carolina, though some matchups with the NFC East and AFC West could ease some of that pain. Wilson is the type of QB you wouldn't mind starting ... as long as you have a similarly rated, matchup-based backup on your bench.
T-18. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (15.46 points):
Home:Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away:Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
2014 Outlook: Last season was a long one for Ryan. Roddy White struggled to get healthy and Julio Jones missed the final 11 games with a foot injury. After that, the Falcons offense went into the tank, taking Ryan with it. This year, Jones and White should be healthy. They'll need to be against a schedule loaded with challenges. In addition to four games against the Saints and Panthers, the Falcons will lace 'em up against the Browns, Cardinals, Lions and Bengals. That's a tall task and could be enough for fantasy owners to have second thoughts on Ryan as a QB1 in 2014.
T-18. Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars (15.46 points):
Home:Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away:Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
2014 Outlook: Henne is likely going to be a placeholder if the Jaguars indeed go after a quarterback in the draft. Regardless of who is slinging the rock in Jacksonville, he won't find it easy going against a slate of games that includes the Colts, Browns, Bengals and Dolphins. It also won't help that the wide receiver corps is led by the uneven Cecil Shorts. Having Justin Blackmon could be a nice boost to everyone in a Jaguars uniform, but there's no telling when (or if) Blackmon will suit up for Jacksonville again.
T-20. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (15.44 points):
Home:Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away:Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, New York Jets
2014 Outlook:Matthew Stafford is going to throw the football a lot. He's going to throw it a lot with a good schedule. He's going to throw it a lot with a bad schedule. Stafford has attempted more than 600 passes in three straight seasons, which is good and bad. The high volume of throws increases his chance to be a big fantasy scorer. It also increases his chances to throw interceptions. You know what else increases his chances to throw picks? The secondaries of the Saints, Dolphins, Cardinals and Panthers. Stafford should be a low-end QB1, but you just have to take the bad with the good.
T-20. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (15.44 points):
Home:Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away:Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
2014 Outlook: The Vikings seem to have designs on Bridgewater starting in Week 1 of the 2014 season. While he'll have some nice weapons around him -- Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson, to name two -- he won't have the most quarterback-friendly schedule. Add that to the general struggles a rookie quarterback faces and there won't be much value for the former Louisville star in 2014. If you're keeping an eye on him, it should be with an eye toward dynasty leagues.
22. Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans (15.43 points):
Home:Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away:Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
2014 Outlook: This could be a make-or-break season for the oft-injured Locker. But apart from the emerging Kendall Wright, there isn't a lot of help among the receiving group. The running backs also fail to jump off the page, meaning there might not be much help keeping blitzing linebackers off the quarterback. All of that comes before you take a look at the actual schedule that includes some troublesome matchups in the AFC South as well as the AFC North. Thankfully, games against Washington and Philadelphia offer some matchups for fantasy owners needing a week-by-week respite. Otherwise, it could be hard to make a case for drafting Locker as anything more than a third option.
23. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (15.42 points):
Home:Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away:Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, New York Jets
2014 Outlook: Cutler has often been his own worst enemy, throwing 19 or more interceptions in six of the past seven seasons. It's a stat that makes you a little queasy when you consider the defenses that Cutler and the Bears will line up against in 2014. The NFC South figures to give Chicago's gunslinger a bad time this season. The best hope is that the dynamic duo of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery can mitigate some of Cutler's questionable decisions. It's not likely that the wideouts will be able to do enough to make him more than a second fantasy quarterback.
24. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (15.38 points):
Home:Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away:Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
2014 Outlook: A full season removed from major knee surgery, fantasy owners will hopefully see the RGIII that dazzled as a rookie in 2012. However Griffin will have to deal with a new offensive coordinator in Sean McVay and a schedule that includes the NFC West and South -- two divisions that vexed plenty of quarterbacks last season. Griffin's saving grace could be the games he plays against the division foes that were a balm to fantasy owners everywhere.
25. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (15.35 points):
Home:Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away:Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014 Outlook: Flacco barely finished among the top 20 fantasy quarterbacks last season -- a reminder that postseason success doesn't automatically translate to fantasy gold. The upside is that Flacco got help this year in the form of Steve Smith. The veteran receiver isn't the player he once was, but should still be a quality complement to Torrey Smith. The question is: Can that duo do enough to revive Flacco's flagging fantasy value against a stout slate featuring the AFC North and NFC South. Much needed changes on the offensive line and a new offense, headed by Gary Kubiak, will also provide a boost but Flacco will still struggle to be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback.
26. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (15.31 points):
Home:Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away:Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014 Outlook: Dalton was the fifth-highest scoring fantasy quarterback last season -- a number that is deceiving until you note that he mixed some very big games with quite a few lackluster ones. The Red Rocket has been a perennial underachiever on the field and in fantasy. That's a trend that isn't likely to change based on the lockdown schedule the Bengals will face this season. The outlook would be even more dire if not for A.J. Green, who should continue to be one of fantasy's best wideouts.
27. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (15.29 points):
Home:Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away:Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
2014 Outlook: The news this offseason just seems to get worse for Newton. First, the Panthers lose Steve Smith without finding a suitable replacement. Then Cam has surgery on a troublesome ankle. To top it off, Carolina has a schedule tougher than a two-dollar steak. Four games against the Falcons and Bucs are offset by two games versus the Saints and matchups against the AFC North, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. We might have found Superman's fantasy Kryptonite.
28. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15.27 points):
Home:Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away:Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Outlook: McCown was a mid-season fantasy hero last year in relief of the injured Jay Cutler. But that was with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Throwing to Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams isn't exactly the same thing. McCown might also be shocked to find that southern hospitality doesn't include the secondaries of the NFC South. Tampa's passing game could also have a tough time with the Ravens, Steelers and Bengals. In all, McCown won't be nearly as productive in 2014.
29. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (15.24 points)
Home:Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Away:Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
2014 Outlook: Rivers found some fantasy redemption last season, thanks to the combination of Mike McCoy and Keenan Allen. Repeating last season's sixth place finish could be difficult on a roster that will feature Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown. It could also be difficult with a schedule that includes games against the NFC West, AFC East and the Ravens. Lightning isn't likely to strike twice for fantasy owners.
30. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (15.22 points):
Home:Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Away:Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
31. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (15.14 points):
Home:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
2014 Outlook: Roethlisberger has never been a fantasy stud, but he is undoubtedly heading onto the downside of his career. After losing Emmanuel Sanders to free agency, the Steelers are in search of a complement to Antonio Brown. They'll have to find that complement against a division that wasn't kind to fantasy quarterbacks last year. That's before Pittsburgh gets into games against the AFC and NFC South. Big Ben could spend a lot of time sitting on draft boards in 2014.
32. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (15.06 points):
Home:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away:Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
2014 Outlook: As the only Browns quarterback with any NFL experience, Hoyer is the default choice for the starting job. Good luck, Mr. Hoyer ... provided you remain the top dog on the depth chart. The only soft spots on the schedule are games against the Raiders and Falcons. The rest is a fantasy quagmire. And he (or Jonny Manziel) will very likely have to face this without the help of Josh Gordon.
