With the release of the 2012 NFL schedule, fantasy football owners now have a better look at how the opposition will affect player values in 2012 drafts. An important part of the schedule, of course, comes in Weeks 14-16 -- that's the traditional fantasy postseason and the time when championships are won and lost. In an effort to make your preparations simple, here's a look at the best and worst schedules (based on 2011 fantasy points allowed per position) when your league titles are on the line.
Top five quarterbacks
1. Sam Bradford, Rams (54.3 points)
Opponents -- at Bills, vs. Vikings, at Buccaneers
Outlook: Bradford isn't a No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but the schedule could make him the Matt Moore of 2012.
2. Matt Schaub, Texans (54.0 points)
Opponents -- at Patriots, vs. Colts, vs. Vikings
Outlook: Schaub will be drafted as a No. 2 fantasy option, but he could be a major player in your title run.
3. Jay Cutler, Bears (52.7 points)
Opponents - at Vikings, vs. Packers, at Cardinals
Outlook: Cutler's stock is rising with the addition of Brandon Marshall, and the schedule helps him too.
4. Drew Brees, Saints (51.5 points)
Opponents - at Giants, vs. Buccaneers, at Cowboys
Outlook: As if you need another reason to draft Brees, his fantasy postseason schedule is very favorable.
Top quarterbacks (6-10): 6. Cam Newton, Panthers (50.9 points); 7. Joe Flacco, Ravens (49.7 points); 8. Matthew Stafford, Lions (48.4 points); 9. Carson Palmer, Raiders (48.2 points); 10. Alex Smith, 49ers (47.62 points).
Bottom five quarterbacks
1. Christian Ponder, Vikings (25.4 points)
Opponents - vs. Bears, at Rams, at Texans
Outlook: Ponder has some late-round value in drafts, but he's not going to be a real postseason option.
2. John Skelton, Cardinals (29.1 points)
Opponents - at Seahawks, vs. Lions, vs. Bears
Outlook: Whether it's Kolb or John Skelton, you shouldn't trust your title hopes to a Cards quarterback.
Bottom quarterbacks (6-10): 6. Philip Rivers, Chargers (38.8 points); 7. Peyton Manning, Broncos (39.1 points); 8. Andrew Luck, Colts (39.5 points); 9. Andy Dalton, Bengals (40.6 points); 10. Tony Romo, Cowboys (41.2 points).
Top five running backs
1. Steven Jackson, Rams (67.2 points)
Opponents - at Bills, vs. Vikings, at Buccaneers
Outlook: Jackson isn't getting any younger, but it's hard not to love his fantasy postseason schedule.
2. Darren McFadden, Raiders (63.0 points)
Opponents - vs. Broncos, vs. Chiefs, at Panthers
Outlook: McFadden has a tremendous schedule, but can he actually remain healthy enough to exploit it?
3. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (62.8 points)
Opponents - at Browns, at Raiders, vs. Colts
Outlook: If Charles can return to his pre-ACL operation form, he will be a force in the fantasy playoffs.
4. Darren Sproles, Saints (61.3 points)
Opponents - at Giants, vs. Buccaneers, at Cowboys
Outlook: Sproles and Mark Ingram will both benefit from a highly favorable schedule in the postseason.
Top running backs (6-10): 6. Doug Martin, Buccaneers (60.2 points); 7. LeSean McCoy, Eagles (58.8 points); 8. Arian Foster, Texans (58.5 points); 9. Chris Johnson, Titans (57.1 points); Ryan Mathews, Chargers (56.7 points).
Bottom five running backs
1. Stevan Ridley, Patriots (39.7 points)
Opponents - vs. Texans, vs. 49ers, at Jaguars
Outlook: Ridley has some sleeper appeal in fantasy land, but his postseason slate is very difficult.
3. Reggie Bush, Dolphins (48.9 points)
Opponents - at 49ers, vs. Jaguars, vs. Bills
Outlook: Facing the stout Niners defense in Week 14 could hurt Bush's value in the fantasy playoffs.
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (49.7 points)
Opponents - vs. Jets, at Dolphins, vs. Patriots
Outlook: Despite some tough matchups, Jones-Drew will be a surefire first rounder in fantasy drafts.
Bottom running backs (6-10): T-6. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (49.8 points); T-6. Beanie Wells, Cardinals (49.8 points); 8. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (50.4 points); 9. DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (50.5 points); 10. Frank Gore, 49ers (50.7 points).
Top five wide receivers
1. Andre Johnson, Texans (78.1 points)
Opponents - at Patriots, vs. Colts, vs. Vikings
Outlook: Some owners are worried about Johnson's durability. I'm not, and the schedule is tremendous.
2. Brandon Marshall, Bears (74.0 points)
Opponents - at Vikings, vs. Packers, at Cardinals
Outlook: A move to the Windy City and an attractive schedule makes Marshall a solid option.
3. Calvin Johnson, Lions (71.0 points)
Opponents - at Packers, at Cardinals, vs. Falcons
Outlook: Do you need any more reason to draft Megatron? He's the best wideout in fantasy football.
4. Steve Smith, Panthers (70.9 points)
Opponents - vs. Falcons, at Chargers, vs. Raiders
Outlook: As long as Newton is under center, Smith is going to be a viable No. 1 fantasy wide receiver.
5. Michael Crabtree, 49ers (70.6 points)
Opponents - vs. Dolphins, at Patriots, at Seahawks
Outlook: Crabtree's value has fallen this offseason with the addition of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham.
Top wide receivers (6-10): T-6. Roddy White/Julio Jones, Falcons (70.3 points); T-6. Justin Blackmon, Jaguars (70.3 points); 8. Marques Colston, Saints (69.8 points); 9. Danny Amendola, Rams (67.6 points); 10. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (67.3 points).
Bottom five wide receivers
1. Robert Meachem, Chargers (51.2 points)
Opponents - at Steelers, vs. Panthers, at Jets
Outlook: Meachem will have to face top cover cornerbacks in Ike Taylor and Darrelle Revis. Yikes.
2. Pierre Garcon, Redskins (52.2 points)
Opponents - vs. Ravens, at Browns, at Eagles
Outlook: Garcon's value remains stagnant in Washington, and the postseason schedule won't help it.
3. Reggie Wayne, Colts (54.9 points)
Opponents - vs. Titans, at Texans, at Chiefs
Outlook: Wayne's days as an elite fantasy wideout are over, and his matchups in Weeks 15-16 are tough.
4. A.J. Green, Bengals (56.6 points)
Opponents - vs. Cowboys, at Eagles, at Steelers
Outlook: I love Green, but matchups against Brandon Carr, Nnamdi Asomugha and Taylor are brutal.
T-5. Santonio Holmes, Jets (57.6 points)
Opponents - at Jaguars, at Titans, vs. Chargers
Outlook: Holmes' value is on the decline, and a tough slate of postseason contests is worrisome.
Bottom wide receivers (6-10): T-5. Miles Austin/Dez Bryant, Cowboys (57.6 points); 7. Demaryius Thomas/Eric Decker, Broncos (57.9 points); 8. Davone Bess, Dolphins (59.3 points); T-9. Jeremy Maclin/DeSean Jackson, Eagles (59.4 points); T-9. Wes Welker/Brandon Lloyd, Patriots (59.4 points).
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
