Every weekend during the preseason, theScore's Justin Boone and David P. Woods will break down the NFL's regular season schedule in search of areas where fantasy owners can find an advantage.
AFC Fantasy Schedules
East | North | South | West
NFC Fantasy Schedules
East | North | South | West
Arizona Cardinals
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Chargers |
| 2 | at Giants |
| 3 | vs 49ers |
| 4 | BYE |
| 5 | at Broncos |
| 6 | vs Redskins |
| 7 | at Raiders |
| 8 | vs Eagles |
| 9 | at Cowboys |
| 10 | vs Rams |
| 11 | vs Lions |
| 12 | at Seahawks |
| 13 | at Falcons |
| 14 | vs Chiefs |
| 15 | at Rams |
| 16 | vs Seahawks |
| 17 | at 49ers |
The Cardinals were going to be a passing team even before injuries struck their defense. Now, they may have no choice but to open it up in an attempt to outscore opponents. Carson Palmer will still turn the ball over more than he should, but Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald are primed for quality fantasy seasons.
Arizona's first half should be conducive to big numbers through the air, with matchups against the Chargers, Giants, Redskins, Eagles, and Cowboys. The Cardinals will also benefit from playing the 49ers before their defensive unit will be at full strength in Week 3, and their second encounter with San Francisco takes place after the fantasy season has concluded.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Cardinals will play all three of their games from Week 14 to 16 in domes, which is a bonus for the passing offense as well as a quick-twitch back like Andre Ellington. The Chiefs defense isn't as tough as they appeared early last season, but facing the Rams pass rush in Week 15 is less than ideal. Arizona also has one the worst fantasy championship matchups, a Week 16 date with the Seahawks.
St. Louis Rams
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Vikings |
| 2 | at Buccaneers |
| 3 | vs Cowboys |
| 4 | BYE |
| 5 | at Eagles |
| 6 | vs 49ers |
| 7 | vs Seahawks |
| 8 | at Chiefs |
| 9 | at 49ers |
| 10 | at Cardinals |
| 11 | vs Broncos |
| 12 | at Chargers |
| 13 | vs Raiders |
| 14 | at Redskins |
| 15 | vs Cardinals |
| 16 | vs Giants |
| 17 | at Seahawks |
The Rams have lost Sam Bradford for the year with a torn ACL, meaning their offense will have an uphill battle all season. Bradford's replacement, Shaun Hill, will have a chance to get off to a smooth start with three decent matchups prior to the club's Week 4 bye.
After that, things will get significantly more difficult, especially for Zac Stacy and the running game. St. Louis will face the 49ers twice and Seahawks once during a four game span from Week 6 to Week 9. Once they get through that hellish stretch, they will be rewarded in the second half.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Rams have one of the best fantasy playoff schedules in the league, so hopefully the loss of Bradford doesn't let it go to waste. Stacy could thrive against the Redskins, a depleted Cardinals squad, and the Giants.
San Francisco 49ers
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | at Cowboys |
| 2 | vs Bears |
| 3 | at Cardinals |
| 4 | vs Eagles |
| 5 | vs Chiefs |
| 6 | at Rams |
| 7 | at Broncos |
| 8 | BYE |
| 9 | vs Rams |
| 10 | at Saints |
| 11 | at Giants |
| 12 | vs Redskins |
| 13 | vs Seahawks |
| 14 | at Raiders |
| 15 | at Seahawks |
| 16 | vs Chargers |
| 17 | vs Cardinals |
Week 1 against the Cowboys will be a fantasy dream for both re-draft and daily leaguers. The 49ers may never look as good as they will in the season opener versus Dallas' porous unit. Frank Gore should run wild in that game, but the team would be wise to limit his touches and save him for the games that matter late in the year.
If the offseason talk about increasing their passing attempts turns out to be true, it may have been inspired by this schedule, which favors the passing game. Colin Kaepernick will face a combination of high-scoring opponents or weak secondaries most weeks.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Raiders in Week 14? Yes, please. The Seahawks in Week 15? No, thank you. The 49ers players will be ranked very high for their first game in the fantasy playoffs, as they head to Oakland. The following week they are on the road once again in Seattle, for a game that could decide the NFC West. There is also no reason to fear the Chargers defense in the fantasy title week.
Seattle Seahawks
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Packers |
| 2 | at Chargers |
| 3 | vs Broncos |
| 4 | BYE |
| 5 | at Redskins |
| 6 | vs Cowboys |
| 7 | at Rams |
| 8 | at Panthers |
| 9 | vs Raiders |
| 10 | vs Giants |
| 11 | at Chiefs |
| 12 | vs Cardinals |
| 13 | at 49ers |
| 14 | at Eagles |
| 15 | vs 49ers |
| 16 | at Cardinals |
| 17 | vs Rams |
The Seahawks only play one game indoors, but that shouldn't slow down Russell Wilson and company. The Seahawks offense was locked in during the preseason and that's a good sign, because they will need to start strong with matchups against the Packers and Broncos in the first three weeks.
Marshawn Lynch's one-week holdout may cause drafters to over-think using a first round pick on him, but he is well worth it. "Beast Mode" seems to thrive in tough matchups, and 2014 will be no exception. The injuries to the Cardinals defense are a huge boost for the Seahawks late season schedule. Seattle will play five of its last six games against division rivals.
Fantasy Playoffs: Seattle will have to keep up with the Eagles offense in Week 14, which could lead to some exciting football - and some inflated fantasy numbers. The 49ers await them in Week 15, but Lynch averaged 85.0 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game versus San Fran during the regular season last year. The Cardinals defense isn't nearly as intimidating in Week 16, although the game is on the road, where the Seahawks sometimes have trouble.
