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 the areas where fantasy owners can find an advantage.
AFC Fantasy Schedules
East | North | South | West
NFC Fantasy Schedules
East | North | South | West
Buffalo Bills
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | at Bears |
| 2 | vs Dolphins |
| 3 | vs Chargers |
| 4 | at Texans |
| 5 | at Lions |
| 6 | vs Patriots |
| 7 | vs Vikings |
| 8 | at Jets |
| 9 | BYE |
| 10 | vs Chiefs |
| 11 | at Dolphins |
| 12 | vs Jets |
| 13 | vs Browns |
| 14 | at Broncos |
| 15 | vs Packers |
| 16 | at Raiders |
| 17 | at Patriots |
The Bills will once again run an up-tempo offense that could produce big fantasy numbers if quarterback EJ Manuel takes a step forward in his development and their defense finds a way to keep opposing offenses off the field. The team finished with the third most plays from scrimmage last season and should be near the top of that category once again.
Three of the Bills' first four matchups are against teams that ranked in the bottom tier in rushing yards allowed last season, but don't be fooled by 2013 stats. The Bears and Patriots should both be improved by offseason additions and players returning to health. On top of that, C.J. Spiller and company will also have to deal with three of last year's top-12 run defenses in the Jets, Lions and Chargers in the first half of the season.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Bills have a pair of tough matchups against the Broncos and Packers in the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs, but will be highly sought after during the fantasy championship week, when they travel to Oakland to take on a Raiders squad that projects to be very generous to opposing fantasy starters.
Miami Dolphins
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Patriots |
| 2 | at Bills |
| 3 | vs Chiefs |
| 4 | vs Raiders (London) |
| 5 | BYE |
| 6 | vs Packers |
| 7 | at Bears |
| 8 | at Jaguars |
| 9 | vs Chargers |
| 10 | at Lions |
| 11 | vs Bills |
| 12 | at Broncos |
| 13 | at Jets |
| 14 | vs Ravens |
| 15 | at Patriots |
| 16 | vs Vikings |
| 17 | vs Jets |
The Dolphins will be the first team to face a Patriots defense that now features Darrelle Revis (as well as healthy versions of Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo), which will put new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's unit to the test. Mike Wallace may be a buy-low candidate after facing Revis and Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore in the first two weeks.
Following the New England game, Miami should have a chance to gain some momentum with three straight against the defenses of the Bills, Chiefs and Raiders. The Raiders' game, which should be a big week for both Ryan Tannehill and Lamar Miller, will be played in London, England.
Hopefully the offense can come together during that stretch, because from Week 4 to Week 13, the Dolphins will have to play six of their nine contests away from Sun Life Stadium.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Ravens and Patriots as Week 14 and 15 opponents is worrisome. The preseason will be very telling for Miami, as we see just how explosive their offense can be and whether they're new up-tempo approach can make their fantasy starters matchup proof.
New England Patriots
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | at Dolphins |
| 2 | at Vikings |
| 3 | vs Raiders |
| 4 | at Chiefs |
| 5 | vs Bengals |
| 6 | at Bills |
| 7 | vs Jets |
| 8 | vs Bears |
| 9 | vs Broncos |
| 10 | BYE |
| 11 | at Colts |
| 12 | vs Lions |
| 13 | at Packers |
| 14 | at Chargers |
| 15 | vs Dolphins |
| 16 | at Jets |
| 17 | vs Bills |
The Patriots would be wise not to rush Rob Gronkowski back, because on paper their schedule sets up nicely if they decided to go easy on Gronk at the start of the year. New England won't face a stiff challenge until their Week 5 matchup with the Bengals. Even after that, games against the Bills and Jets the next two weeks shouldn't slow Tom Brady's crew down all that much.
Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Bill Belichick's love of a running-back-by-committee approach may sap a really nice schedule for a lead rusher. Shane Vereen will start most games, but he excels in the teams' pass offense, while Stevan Ridley and James White will battle for the power work.
Fantasy Playoffs: The late season bye (Week 10) will help the Patriots be rested for the stretch run in fantasy. A playoff schedule that features games against the Chargers, Dolphins, and Jets should also have fantasy owners very excited to acquire shares in the Patriots offense and their defense.
New York Jets
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Raiders |
| 2 | at Packers |
| 3 | vs Bears |
| 4 | vs Lions |
| 5 | at Chargers |
| 6 | vs Broncos |
| 7 | at Patriots |
| 8 | vs Bills |
| 9 | at Chiefs |
| 10 | vs Steelers |
| 11 | BYE |
| 12 | at Bills |
| 13 | vs Dolphins |
| 14 | at Vikings |
| 15 | at Titans |
| 16 | vs Patriots |
| 17 | at Dolphins |
While the Dolphins have a difficult season opener, the Jets and Geno Smith have quite the opposite start to the year. The Jets will have a chance to build confidence against the Raiders in Week 1, but if their offense struggles in that game, it could signal a long season in New York.
Rex Ryan, who is known for his defensive mind, will be forced to contend with several quality defenses on the other side of the field in the first seven weeks of the season. If Smith can't develop as the team's starting quarterback, veteran Michael Vick may get the call and could benefit from a much easier second half.
Someone else who might take advantage of a weaker second-half schedule is running back Chris Johnson. If Johnson fails to make an impact in the early going, and there is a strong chance of that happening, seek out his frustrated owner and make an offer.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Vikings (Week 14) and Patriots (Week 16) will be healthy this season, while the Titans (Week 15) should a much tougher group under new defensive coordinator in Ray Horton.
