🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Stack 'Em: Teams and Players with Favorable Early Schedules

David Montgomery - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Early schedule winners for NFL teams in fantasy football. Gladys breaks down the players and stacks that could be valuable early on in 2022 fantasy.

As fantasy football managers and DFS players, it is easy to get caught up in all the noise that is out there. But looking at the season quantitatively and logically helps too. Seeing what teams and what players have the best chance to succeed with a favorable early schedule makes a little sense too.

What we have are numbers from last season combined with expectations for this season. But teams have changed both for the better and the worse, but honestly how big of a change will happen in the first seven games? We just don’t know, so as fantasy managers and DFS players, we use the stats that we have in order to best prepare our preseason rankings.

The consensus is the New York Giants (and really any team in the NFC East) have the easiest schedule while the Kansas City Chiefs have the hardest. But what team has the favorable early schedule that can help get your fantasy team off to a fast start before the byes wreak havoc?

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have a tasty favorable early schedule, starting with Detroit in Week 1.

TEAMS RUSHING TD/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

PASSING TD/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

@Detroit Lions 1.1 (t27th) 1.8 (27th) 27.5 (31st)
vs Minnesota Vikings 1.7 (21st) 0.9 (T16) 25.1 (24th)
@ Washington 0.8 (T12th) 2.0 (32nd) 25.5 (25th)
vs Jacksonville Jaguars 1.3 (T29th) 1.4(T9th) 26.9 (28th)
@ Arizona Cardinals 0.6 (T3rd) 1.8 (26th) 22.2 (16th)
vs Dallas Cowboys 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 21.2 (8th)
vs Pittsburgh Steelers 0.9 (21st) 1.7 (19th) 24.4 (22nd)

 

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts will have a new quarterback combined with last year’s rushing champion and number one fantasy draft choice Jonathan Taylor. Playing in the AFC South has its advantages.

TEAMS RUSHING TD/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

PASSING TD/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

@ Houston Texans 1.5 (31st) 1.4 (T14th) 26.6 (27th)
@ Jacksonville Jaguars 1.3 (T29th) 1.4 (T9th) 26.9 (28th)
vs Kansas City Chiefs 0.8 (11) 1.8 (T25th) 22.4 (17th)
vs Tennessee Titans 0.8 (T14) by metrics 1.3 (T5th) 20.7 (6th)
@ Denver Broncos 0.5 (1st) 1.3 (4th) by metrics 18.9 (2nd)
vs Jacksonville Jaguars 1.3 (T29th) 1.3 (T5th) 26.9 (28th)
vs Indianapolis Colts 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 20.7 (6th)

 

New York Giants

TEAMS RUSHING TD/GAME ALLOWED &Rank PASSING TD/GAME ALLOWED

& Rank

TOTAL PPG ALLOWED

& Rank

@ Tennessee Titans 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 20.7 (6th)
vs Carolina Panthers 0.9 (T18th) 1.5 (13th) 23.8 (20th)
vs Dallas Cowboys 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 21.2 (8th)
vs Chicago Bears 0.8 (T12th) 1.8 (27th) 23.9 (21st)
vs Baltimore Ravens 0.8 (T9th) 1.8 (27th) 23.1 (18th)
@Jacksonville Jaguars 1.3 (T29th) 1.4 (9th) 26.9 (28th)
@Seattle Seahawks 0.9 (T18th) 1.4 (T9th) 21.5 (12th)

 

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have a new head coach and have lost wide receiver Allen Robinson. The first two weeks are challenging but it softens up considerably afterward.

TEAMS RUSHING TD/GAME ALLOWED & RANK PASSING TD/GAME ALLOWED & RANK TOTAL POINTS/GAME ALLOWED & RANK
vs San Fran 49ers 1.0 (22nd) 1.4 (8th) 20.6 (5th)
@Green Bay Packers 0.7 (7th) 1.8 (T27th) 21.3 (10th)
vs Houston Texans 1.5 (31st) 1.6 (T14th) 26.6 (27th)
@ New York Giants 0.9 (T16th) 1.6 (T14th) 24.5 (23rd)
@ Minnesota Vikings 0.9 (T16th) 1.7 (T21st) 25.1 (24th)
vs Washington 0.8 (T12th) 2.0 (32nd) 25.5 (25th)
@ New England Patriots 0.6 (T3rd) 1.4 (11th) 19.4 (3rd)

 

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions will still have Jared Goff under center. Their wide receiver room is improved but still in doubt as rookie Jameson Williams has lingering ACL issues and D.J. Chark Jr. must prove himself on a new team.

TEAMS RUSHING TD ALLOWED/GAME &RANK PASSING TD ALLOWED/GAME &RANK AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED/GAME &RANK
vs Philadelphia Eagles 1.1 (26th) 1.7 (T19th) 23.1 (19th)
vs Washington 0.8 (12th) 2.0 (32nd) 25.5 (25th)
@ Minnesota Vikings 0.9 (T16th) 1.7 (T21st) 25.1 (24th)
vs Seattle Seahawks 0.9 (T16th) 1.4 (T9th) 21.5 (12th)
@ New England Patriots 0.6 (T3rd) 1.4 (11th) by metrics 19.4 (3rd)
@ Dallas Cowboys 0.8 (T14th) 1.8 (T27th) 21.2 (8th)
vs Miami Dolphins 0.9 (T18th) 1.4 (7th) 21.9 (15th)

 

Washington Commanders

Carson Wentz is under center for Washington. He is the 25th selected quarterback on average, going in the 15th round. Washington has a top 10 easy schedule with the first six games being runner friendly for Antonio Gibson and now Brian Robinson Jr.

TEAMS RUSHING TD ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK PASSING TD ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK
vs Jacksonville Jaguars 1.3 (T29th) 1.4 (T9th) 26.9 (28th)
@ Detroit Lions 1.1 (27th) 1.8 (T27th) 27.5 (31st)
vs Philadelphia Eagles 1.1 (26th) 1.7 (T19th) 23.1 (19th)
@ Dallas Cowboys 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 21.2 (8th)
vs Tennessee Titans 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 20.7 (6th)
@ Chicago Bears 0.8 (T14th) 1.8 (T27th) 23.9 (21st)
vs Green Bay Packers 0.7 (7th) 1.7 (T23rd) 21.3 (10th)

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Per BETMGM.com, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now +750 to win the Super Bowl and +350 to win the NFC. The return of Tom Brady and having one of the predictive easiest schedules doesn’t hurt those odds.

TEAMS RUSHING TD ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK PASSING TD ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED/GAMES & RANK
@ Dallas Cowboys 0.8 (T14th) 1.3 (T5th) 21.2 (8th)
@ New Orleans Saints 0.7 (T5th) 1.2 (2nd) 19.7 (4th)
vs Green Bay Packers 0.7 (T5th) 1.7 (23rd) 21.3 (10th)
vs Kansas City Chiefs 0.7 (T5th) 1.8 (T25th) 22.4 (17th)
vs Atlanta Falcons 1.1 (T27th) 1.8 (T27th) 27.0 (29th)
@ Pittsburgh Steelers 0.9 (21st) 1.7 (T19th) 24.4 (22nd)
@ Carolina Panthers 0.9 (T18th) by metrics 1.5 (13th) 23.8 (21st)

 

Players with Easiest Strength of Schedule

If you are thinking about stacking players in addition to the teams with the easiest strength of schedule at the beginning of the season, here are players in each position that have the easiest strength of schedule.

QUARTERBACK= Daniel Jones, New York Giants

WIDE RECEIVERS= Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

RUNNING BACK= David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

TIGHT END= Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

Always know the matchups. If you are playing in fantasy leagues, always know the scoring rules. Numbers matter!

And of course, always good luck!



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ja Morant

to Miss Second Straight Game Saturday
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
RJ Barrett

to Remain Out Saturday
Jakob Poeltl

Facing Another Potential Absence Saturday
Jerami Grant

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Deandre Ayton

to Miss Matchup Against Clippers Saturday
Lauri Markkanen

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Klay Thompson

Iffy for Saturday
Anthony Davis

Expected to Play Saturday
James Harden

Available Saturday
Domantas Sabonis

to Miss 4-5 More Weeks
Anthony Edwards

Returns Without Minutes Restriction Friday
Zach Collins

Upgraded to Available Friday
Tre Jones

Available With Minutes Restriction
Ayo Dosunmu

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Kasparas Jakucionis

Makes First Career Start Friday
Davion Mitchell

Ruled Out Friday
Craig Porter Jr.

Skips Friday's Game
Sam Hauser

Available Versus Heat
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
Andrew Wiggins

Misses Friday's Action
Donovan Mitchell

Unavailable Friday Due to Illness
Jonathan Marchessault

Out Day-to-Day
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
Patrick Kane

to Remain Out Saturday
Shea Theodore

Considered Week-to-Week
Karl-Anthony Towns

& Josh Hart Active Friday Night
Jack Eichel

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
Jordan Martinook

Misses Friday's Contest
Evan Rodrigues

Available Against Hurricanes
Tyler Seguin

Undergoes Surgery, to Be Re-Evaluated After Olympics
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Listed as Questionable for Week 16
Drake London

Expected to Play Sunday
Tee Higgins

Questionable to Play in Week 16
Michael Carter

Will Start at RB in Week 16
Dalton Kincaid

Will Practice on Friday, Expected to Play on Sunday
Garrett Wilson

Shelved for Remainder of 2025
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Zach Werenski

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Logan Thompson

Collects Second Shutout of the Season
Linus Ullmark

Blanks Penguins Thursday
Tyson Kozak

Hurt Against Flyers
Conor Timmins

to Miss 6-8 Weeks With Broken Leg
Tristan Jarry

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Bruins
Anthony Cirelli

Injured in Thursday's Loss
Kenneth Walker III

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Comeback Win vs. Rams
Matthew Stafford

Racks Up Highest Yardage Total in Over a Decade
Puka Nacua

Delivers Career-Best Performance on Thursday Night Football
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Jakobi Meyers

Jaguars Agree to Three-Year Extension With Jakobi Meyers
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Thursday Night
Michael Kesselring

Available After 14-Game Absence
Peyton Krebs

Good to Go Thursday
Jake Bean

Set for Surgery, Out Indefinitely
Mike Matheson

Misses Second Straight Game Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Back for Lightning Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Available Thursday
Devin Neal

Placed on Injured Reserve, Will Not Return in 2025
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
Christian Watson

Questionable for Week 16
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable for Saturday Night
T.J. Watt

Unlikely to Play in Week 16
D'Andre Swift

Questionable to Face the Packers
Rome Odunze

Ruled Out for Week 16
Jawhar Jordan

Could be in for Significant Workload Against Raiders
Rome Odunze

Expected to Miss Third Straight Game
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Josh Jacobs

Expected to Play in Week 16
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal