Schedule-maker doesn't play fair

Even though the game was created in the 1960s, fantasy football for the most part enjoyed its burst onto the sports scene in the 1990s.

One of the big improvements in the first decade after the turn of the century was head-to-head competition. Then came weekly player ratings, a concept first made popular by Mr. Fantasy himself.

And now, as we embark on the decade of the 20-10s, Mr. Fantasy is at the forefront once again. This time, it's with his unique strength-of-schedule ratings.

Here's how they work:

First, you take last year's NFL records and throw them out the window. That's right: Fantasy strength-of-schedule has nothing to do with last year's wins and losses.

So the first thing you actually do is take last year's defensive statistics and adjust them based on a series of criteria, such as: Does the team have a new coach or the unit a new coordinator? Has the unit made significant free-agent gains or losses in the off-season? Are there any rookies expected to make an immediate impact?

You then add up the numbers - both against the run and against the pass - for all the opponents a team will face this season. The team with the highest total (the most total yards expected to be given up) plays the easiest schedule. The team with the lowest total (the fewest total yards expected to be given up) plays the toughest schedule.

Here's how this year's numbers shake out:

EASIEST SCHEDULE TO RUN AGAINST

1, Seahawks; 2, 49ers; 3, Chiefs; 4, Chargers; 5, Cardinals; 6, Broncos; 7, Rams; 8, Jaguars; 9, Raiders; 10, Falcons; 11, Panthers; 12, Steelers; 13, Buccaneers; 14, Titans; 15, Ravens; 16, Colts; 17, Redskins; 18, Saints; 19, Bengals; 20, Texans; 21, Vikings; 22, Cowboys; 23, Jets; 24, Patriots; 25, Packers; 26, Browns; 27, Lions; 28, Dolphins; 29, Bears; 30, Giants; 31, Bills; 32, Eagles.

EASIEST SCHEDULE TO PASS AGAINST

1, Redskins; 2, Eagles; 3, Raiders; 4, Giants; 5, 49ers; 6, Cowboys; 7, Rams; 8, Chiefs; 9, Titans; 10, Jaguars; 11, Chargers; 12, Cardinals; 13, Packers; 14, Bears; 15, Colts; 16, Broncos; 17, Saints; 18, Panthers; 19, Vikings; 20, Seahawks; 21, Texans; 22, Jets; 23, Buccaneers; 24, Lions; 25, Bills; 26, Falcons; 27, Bengals; 28, Patriots; 29, Steelers; 30, Ravens; 31, Dolphins; 32, Browns.