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
Atlanta Falcons
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Saints |
| 2 | at Bengals |
| 3 | vs Buccaneers |
| 4 | at Vikings |
| 5 | at Giants |
| 6 | vs Bears |
| 7 | at Ravens |
| 8 | vs Lions |
| 9 | BYE |
| 10 | at Buccaneers |
| 11 | at Panthers |
| 12 | vs Browns |
| 13 | vs Cardinals |
| 14 | at Packers |
| 15 | vs Steelers |
| 16 | at Saints |
| 17 | vs Panthers |
The Falcons defense should be one of the weaker units in the NFL, which will force their offense to open it up to win games. The Saints, Bengals, and Buccaneers make for a tough opening stretch, but it will take a lot to stop Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White through the air.
The bigger issue for Atlanta will be its running game. The Falcons offensive line has question marks after the loss of left tackle Sam Baker and the team faces several tough defensive fronts throughout its schedule. The Giants and Cardinals are the only plus matchups, with Arizona making the list because of injuries to its defense.
Fantasy Playoffs: Whether it's Steven Jackson or Devonta Freeman, the Falcons running game will be one to stay away from during the fantasy postseason. The Packers, Steelers and Saints are all improved squads from a year ago and Atlanta may be force to abandon the run in those contests.
Carolina Panthers
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | at Buccaneers |
| 2 | vs Lions |
| 3 | vs Steelers |
| 4 | at Ravens |
| 5 | vs Bears |
| 6 | at Bengals |
| 7 | at Packers |
| 8 | vs Seahawks |
| 9 | vs Saints |
| 10 | at Eagles |
| 11 | vs Falcons |
| 12 | BYE |
| 13 | at Vikings |
| 14 | at Saints |
| 15 | vs Buccaneers |
| 16 | vs Browns |
| 17 | at Falcons |
If the lack of playmakers on the Panthers offense isn't enough to scare you away, perhaps their early season schedule will do the trick. Just look at those first nine weeks and wonder whether the Carolina offensive line will be able to hold up under that kind of pressure. Cam Newton may be superman, but even he will have a hard time producing consisted fantasy numbers in the first half of the year.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will continue to frustrate fantasy owners, unless one of them goes down with an injury. From Week 10 on they could have sneaky value, but don't forget to plan for their late bye week.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Panthers offense had a hard time in their two games against the Saints last season, but they took advantage of the Buccaneers. Tampa's defense will be better, even after losing Darrelle Revis, and a Week 16 matchup with the Browns doesn't offer any relief. On paper, the Panthers are a team you should be avoiding altogether in fantasy this season.
New Orleans Saints
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | at Falcons |
| 2 | at Browns |
| 3 | vs Vikings |
| 4 | at Cowboys |
| 5 | vs Buccaneers |
| 6 | BYE |
| 7 | at Lions |
| 8 | vs Packers |
| 9 | at Panthers |
| 10 | vs 49ers |
| 11 | vs Bengals |
| 12 | vs Ravens |
| 13 | at Steelers |
| 14 | vs Panthers |
| 15 | at Bears |
| 16 | vs Falcons |
| 17 | at Buccaneers |
Unlike their division rivals, the Saints get a very favorable slate to start the year. Drew Brees and company could be on a torrid offensive pace when they reach their Week 6 bye. Their opponents get a little more challenging from Week 9 to Week 14, but with 11 indoor games this season, Brees should put up another 5,000-yard campaign.
The Saints backfield will also profit from the early season schedule, however, figuring out which back will lead the team each week could be a guessing game. Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram should carry the load most weeks, but Khiry Robinson is also in the mix. If one of them starts off strong, you should be looking for a trading partner immediately.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Panthers secondary may not be as menacing this season, but their front seven will be and that could trip up the Saints in Week 14. The final two weeks of the fantasy postseason will be fun to watch if you own New Orleans players as they take on high-powered offenses in the Bears and Falcons. The Chicago game will be outdoors in December, so hopefully Mother Nature has Brees on her fantasy team and decides against a blizzard.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1 | vs Panthers |
| 2 | vs Rams |
| 3 | at Falcons |
| 4 | at Steelers |
| 5 | at Saints |
| 6 | vs Ravens |
| 7 | BYE |
| 8 | vs Vikings |
| 9 | at Browns |
| 10 | vs Falcons |
| 11 | at Redskins |
| 12 | at Bears |
| 13 | vs Bengals |
| 14 | at Lions |
| 15 | at Panthers |
| 16 | vs Packers |
| 17 | vs Saints |
Doug Martin will see the majority of carries now that rookie Charles Sims will miss a big chunk of the season with an injury. Congratulations Doug, you get to face the Panthers, Rams, Steelers, Saints and Ravens in five of your first six games before the bye week. With the interior of the Buccaneers line struggling in the preseason, those matchups could put a serious dent in Tampa's playoff hopes.
Josh McCown will also have to contend with pressure up the middle, which could cause him to get rid of the ball sooner than he wants to. That would be very bad news for owners of Vincent Jackson, a receiver who thrives on winning jump balls downfield. If McCown survives the early season onslaught, he should be able to excel in the heart of the schedule against some generous opponents.
Fantasy Playoffs: The Bucs schedule from Week 14 to Week 16 doesn't really move the needle one way or the other. The line with have to contend with more strong fronts versus the Lions and Panthers, as well as a Packers defense that should be more dangerous with their stars healthy, assuming they are at that point in the year.
