The Ease of Schedule is about taking the results from all defensive performances last season and then applying the stats allowed against quarterbacks, running backs and receivers to determine who will have the easier schedule. This is determined by taking the best and worst match-ups for teams and awarding then either a good or a bad game - or just neutral.

In making this as accurate as can be using stats from the previous season, starting last season the difference is that no longer are the "good" and "bad" matchups related to a team. They are now related to both team and venue. The reality is that many teams play much differently on the road than they do at home. What the Ease of Schedule has done is to take each NFL defense and consider them as two separate entities. One on the road and the other at home. In some cases, it did not matter - both were great for a team (or really bad). In others, it certainly did. Taking the eight home games and eight road games, each had their highest and lowest games removed to eliminate uncharacteristic extremes. Then the per game average fantasy points allowed were determined from the six remaining home and six remaining road games. From a total set of 64 possibilities (32 defenses both home and away), the best and worst 16 matchups were used.

This is the most accurate picture of defenses from last year - hands down. While regular season EOS will not split them out because of a lack of adequate sample size, the preseason EOS considered venue in addition to the defense - it makes a difference. This is more accurate than any other you will find.

Three different views are given below - Weeks 1 to 6 show what players will face as they start the season. Weeks 1 through 16 are shown for a full season view and weeks 14 to 16 show the most common weeks for fantasy playoffs. Below that is the NFL schedule marked for each team to show when they have good (green) or bad (red) match-ups.

Week - By - Week

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hollywood_69

Posted Jul 25, 2009 2:34pm EDT

I think you should make Washington Redskins RED, they just added the best DT in football, JMO, As always great piece. And NYG, they upgraded their already dominant defense, at least make them RED at home.

hollywood_69

Posted Jul 25, 2009 2:32pm EDT

I think you should make Washington Redskins RED, they just added the best DT in football, JMO, As always great piece.

DMD

Posted Jul 16, 2009 8:07pm EDT

Ah, but in football bye weeks are bad - no points. So when we list out the EOS for the first six weeks, not getting any points in that week should definitely be considered bad. Granted by the end of the season everyone has that "bad" bye week, but I include it as bad because it is a nonscoring week and particularly because of counting up the first six weeks which doesn't always have the bye for all players.

Randy

Posted Jul 16, 2009 4:12pm EDT

DMD,

In your Weeks 1-16 (Full Season) matrix above ... when compared to your Week-by-Week matrix above ... in the former you've counted the red/pink colored BYES under the "Bad" column. As such, you might want to subtract one (1) "Bad" for each of the 32 teams and then readjust your teams' order respectively ... just a tactful and diplomatic observeration ... last time I checked, an NFL team considers their "BYE" week as a "Break" week (getting injured
players healthy, etc.).

Randy

Randy

Posted Jul 3, 2009 9:10am EDT

Like the 2008 Best 16/Worst 16 Matchups ... it even lends itself to selecting a D/ST or two. In regard to the EOS Full Season/Dorey Rule/FF Playoffs, a cumulative +1 and -1 aren't statistically significant enough to warrant being colored green or pink.
This ol' H2Her awaits what you've got up your proverbial sleeve
that's "coming out in about a month", albeit without the above
being colored.

DMD

Posted Jul 1, 2009 12:54pm EDT

I have never formally done it but I always look back on it and the rushing portion in particular has always been a worthwhile indicator. I have something else along these lines coming out in about a month you should love.

Tampa Don

Posted Jul 1, 2009 11:55am EDT

David, I have been a long time subscriber to The Huddle and love your Ease of Schedule analysis.....do you have anything that can show how accurate your analysis has been over the years?....would love to see that! especially on your "Dorey Rule" column.

DMD

Posted Jun 17, 2009 7:31pm EDT

It had a big bearing on it, along with the addition of Tony Gonzalez who will take at least a couple of scores and some yards out of the offense.

theshield

Posted Jun 17, 2009 6:52pm EDT

Atlantas run schedule looks pretty tough this year from looking at your ease of run schedules. Is this why Michael Turner is ranked at #8 in your rankings because I've seen him mostly in the top 3? Any Comments.

meyer1995

Posted Apr 17, 2009 12:04am EDT

What kind of season will Pierre Thomas have? Would you keep him over Clinton Portis?

DMD

Posted Apr 15, 2009 5:45pm EDT

These do not include one point per reception but we are planning on a version this summer that will, along with some other cool features.

jaka

Posted Apr 15, 2009 2:13pm EDT

Do these rankings count 1 point per reception?

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