One of our best inventions in terms of fantasy football is our strength of schedule feature. While all sites produce a strength of schedule ranking it is simply based on wins and losses and doesn't offer a great deal of information or have much value for fantasy footballers. Our strength of schedule which again was invented here by myself, is one of the best weapons you can use on a weekly basis and could be the difference in why you draft one WR over another in the 7th round of your draft. Lets look at some examples this time focusing in on the NFC North.

Chicago Bears

W/L In terms of W/L the Bears have a very neutral schedule as the teams they will play this year finished around .500 last year, but lets look at the more important details.

RYD SOS The Bears face the 2nd toughest schedule against the run this year, so do we think Forte is going to have a great year. Probably not when you also consider that pass happy Mike Martz will be in town. The Bears face solid run D's like the Packers and Vikes twice and solid D's like the Eagles and Cowboys.

PYD SOS Jay Cutler is going to face some tough pass D's this year with games against the Panthers, Skins, Bills the Jets and the Packers twice, not to mention the Vikings. Yes this will be a more dynamic pass offense, but they will have some tough outings. 

Detroit Lions

W/L In terms of W/L the Lions have a very neutral schedule as the teams they will play this year finished around .500 last year.

RYD SOS The Lions didn't get any favors from the schedule maker, with the Packers, Vikes and Bears in their division they will face some very tough run D's, so keep your expectations low for Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith.

PYD SOS More of the same here for the Lions the Packers, Vikes and Bears as well as having the Jets on their schedule means the Lions will not have an easy run this year. While this WR core has improved and Stafford should be much better in year 2, they will have some tough matchups this year.

Green Bay Packers

W/L In terms of W/L the Packers will face a schedule of teams under .500 so that is a favorable start.

RYD SOS We really don't love this schedule for Ryan Grant as he will face some very solid D's, including the Vikes twice, Dallas, the Jets, Atl and the 49ers, all hard nosed run stopping units. Grant doesn't get a huge downgrade because he is on a top offensive unit, but he is going to have some weeks where he underwhelms in these matchups.

PYD SOS The pass offense here is so dominant SOS is not really a huge factor. As long as he is healthy Rodgers will be a go each and every week, along with Jennings, Driver and Finley.

Minnesota Vikings

W/L In terms of W/L the Vikes have a very neutral schedule as the teams they will play this year finished around .500 last year.

RYD SOS Much like the Packers passing attack very little downgrade for a guy like AP because of SOS, even though the Vikes have a tough schedule against the run, AP is a guy who of course is a must play each and every week.

PYD SOS With Favre hanging it up this offense is now more at risk in tough matchups so keep an eye on how Jackson is doing at QB when they play tougher games against the Packers, Jets and Skins.

Strength of Schedule is a regular feature available in Dr. Stats Fantasy Football Insider. Updated weekly during the season, it is a key tool in evaluating future player value and upcoming matchups. View a demo here