With the fantasy football playoffs already upon us, much ado has been made about trading for players with favorable playoff schedules. And with that, here is a ranking of every single team's schedule, as it pertains to wide receivers. 

Very Easy Schedules

(Defense rank is based off of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, courtesy of FFChamps defensive stats tool and the overall rankings are based off of weeks 14-16.  I understand these weeks may or may not match up with your league's playoff schedule. If that's the case, please forgive me. It's what Jesus would do.)
 

1. Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	28	14	29

Analysis: If any Bears WR steps up not only will he have an easy fantasy playoff schedule, but he might also wipe that frown off of Jay Cutler's face. Okay probably not, that guy's a grouch.

 

2. Calvin Johnson, Detriot Lions

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	30	21	13

Analysis: Not that you're sitting him, but it is nice to know that Johnson's fantasy playoff opposition is nonexistent. Antoine Winfield, the cornerback Johnson would have faced in week 14, was just sent to the injured reserve with a fractured clavicle. Speaking of cornerbacks, m

uch of the analysis in this article is based upon the receiver's projected cornerback matchup. If you want to know more about the top cornerbacks in the NFL and their effect on #1 wide receiver production, this article is a must read. 

3. Santana Moss, Washington Redskins

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	32	17	30

Analysis: If Santana Moss should be able to come back before week 14, which would definitely make him a buy-low receiver considering he faces two teams ranked in the bottom five in terms of fantasy points allowed.

4. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	21	20	15

Analysis: Give Aaron Rodgers below average defenses and his wide receivers will be open all day long. Every Packers WR is a good play.

5. Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	31	15	24

Analysis: Rice's first matchup with St. Louis is wonderful, but don't expect much from him in weeks 15 and 16. Cornerback Charles Tillman of the Bears and cornerback Carlos Rogers of the 49ers have both shut down tougher assignments than Rice. Doug Baldwin could be a decent PPR play in the playoffs.

6. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	15	32	22

Analysis: Even with a very favorable schedule Decker should not be depended on to produce at all considering his quarterback rarely reaches the double digit completion mark.

Favorable Schedules

7. Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	13	26	28

Analysis: Cornerback Quentin Jammer is a tough matchup for Johnson, however it should be noted that Johnson had moderate success against the best corner in the game, Darrelle Revis in week 9. Vontae Davis is another tough matchup in week 15, but Johnson is talented enough to find a way to score on him. 

8. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	11	30	23

Analysis: Colston might not perform as well as his owners would like considering he has tough match-ups against Courtland Finnegan in week 14 and Brent Grimes in week 16. However, the rest of the receiving corps should be just fine.

9. Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders 

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	29	6	20

Analysis: Whoever is the #1 WR for Oakland by week 14 whether it be Moore or Jacoby Ford, should see a high level of production.

10. Mike Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	19	23	11

Analysis: The defensive rankings are pretty favorable, but keep in mind that the Jaguars don't throw that much. Expect a quiet day for Thomas as he matches up with Brent Grimes and Courtland Finnegan in week 15 and 16.

11. Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	16	25	4

Analysis: Washington's Jaguars matchup just got a lot easier with the news that top cornerback Rashean Mathis' season is over.

12. Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	18	22	32

Analysis: The Eagles pass defense when it comes to opposing #1 and #2 wide receivers is quite strong, due to the cornerback play of Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuels.

13. Santonio Holmes, New York Jets

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	20	18	17

Analysis: The cornerbacks Holmes will likely be facing are Brandon Flowers, Nnamdi Asomugha and Corey Webster, all of whom are talented. Holmes probably isn't worth a start unless Mark Sanchez starts becoming a lot more efficient.

 

Average Schedules

14. Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	25	13	1

Analysis: That matchup with Indianapolis is great, but Boldin's next two are against Quentin jammer and Joe Haden, both of whom are limiting wide receivers to below average fantasy days.

15. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	17	19	18

Analysis: Even If Miles Austin doesn't come back soon, his fantasy chances of success are small. He faces Corey Webster and Antonio Cromartie come playoff time.

16. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	23	9	19

Analysis: Brent Grimes and Jonathan Joseph are pretty good cornerbacks, but they are not close to Revis' level. Smith should be fine weeks 14-15, but keep those expectations in check.
17. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	9	31	27

Analysis: Green's week 14 matchup against the Jonathan Joseph will be tough, but his week 15 against the Rams and his week 16 against the Cardinals should be much easier.

18. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	22	12	6

Analysis: V-Jax owners are a little upset with his production this year (blame Rivers shoulder). Fun fact: Opposing #1 WRs average the 4th least amount of fantasy points against Baltimore.

Unfavorable Schedules

19. Wes Welker, New England Patriots
 

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	7	28	26

Analysis: There is not one cornerback on any of these teams talented enough to shut Welker down. While we're on the subject, none of those defenses can shut down the Patriots offense.

20. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	1	24	31

Analysis: Mike Wallace's week 15 and 16 match-ups are brutal. Joe Haden (Browns) hasn't allowed more than 66 yards to a receiver all year and the rejuvenated Carlos Rogers (49ers) has been playing at an all-pro level. 

21. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	27	3	14

Analysis: Ike Taylor and the Steelers are a tough matchup sandwiched between two easy ones.

22. Greg Little, Cleveland Browns

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	3	27	12

Analysis: Little's playoff schedule is nothing to be desired for and is even more reason why avoiding all your Browns is a good idea. Seriously, just get rid of them now.

23. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	26	2	10

Analysis: The Dolphins and Vontae Davis aren't scaring anybody, but Revis sure is.

24. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	2	29	21

Analysis: Tyler Palko is what the Chiefs are down to at quarterback so it doesn't really matter who the Chiefs are playing, odds are Bowe will have a bad game.

Toughest Schedules

25. Brandon Lloyd, St. Louis Rams

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	14	8	3

Analysis: Considering how dangerous Josh McDaniels and Brandon Lloyd are, tough match-ups doesn't mean as much as they would to other receivers.

26. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	27	1	8

Analysis: It would take great balls of steel in order to sit Fitzgerald against Carlos Rogers and Joe Haden. Odds are Fitzy will likely be in your lineup, don't expect great numbers out of him.

27. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	8	5	25

Analysis: Cornerback Leon Hall of Cincinnati is heading to the injured reserve making Chris Gamble of Carolina the only threat to Johnson's production out of these three teams.

28. Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	4	10	5

Analysis: At this point a Mike Williams torn ACL wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for fantasy owners. At least they could finally dump him and not have to worry about his production.

29. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	5	4	16

Analysis: Nobody should want to play their wide receiver against Carolina's Chris Gamble, who was allowing a quarterback passer rating of 39.2 a couple of weeks ago. 

30. Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	12	11	9

Analysis: Unless you play in a 14-team or deeper league, there is no reason to play any Indianapolis Colt. Worst fantasy team ever.

31. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	10	7	2

Analysis: Nicks' first two match-ups against Dallas and Washington are not as difficult as the numbers say they are. Against #1 WRs, Dallas ranks 13th and Washington ranks 17th, stat courtesy of FFChamps defensive stats tool.

32. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

Week	14	15	16
Opponent
Defense rank	6	16	7

Analysis: Match-ups don't really apply to Percy Harvin because he should be sat in all leagues, regardless of opponent. Ok maybe it's not that bad, but there is no telling if or when he will step up his production.

The views and content in this article are not necessarily the opinion of Fantasy Football Champs, www.FFChamps.com, and its in-house experts.