Sending out an SOS

Now that the league has finalized it's draft- the 2nd most important thing when it comes to having a successful season is finalized as well: the schedule. While everyone understands that yahoo randomly selects which teams do battle twice in a season, it won't stop some owners from moaning and groaning about how much harder their schedule is compared to fellow playoff hopeful Owner X. The complaining is justified in most cases; but for the most part, no one seems to get too angry about it.

Ranking schedule difficulty is based on: 33% my opinion, 33% preseason poll results, 33% past performance, 1% bias. Here we go, from easiest to hardest.

*There is a key of team abbreviations by the schedule to the right

10. Madd Skillz; Teams Played 2x: TPB, TNM, FA, WIRM, CHM

Defending champs have the easiest go, statistically. It helps that they don't have to play themselves. Get teams 9 and 10 from last year twice, but does play two fellow playoff qualifiers twice. Will have to make it through week 3 without LaDanian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Terry Glenn and Antonio Gates against FA, and needs a big week 5 against CHM without Matt Hasselbeck, Rudi Johnson, and Chad Johnson.

9. Cellar Dwellers; Teams Played 2x: TNM, FA, WIRM, CHM, SLM

Another team that benefits from not playing itself. Week 14 matchup with The Slumbusters looms as a huge one. Only one playoff qualifier on here, but has the same schedule as SKL with SLM and TPB switched. SLM has the edge in the preseason poll, and thus is deemed tougher. Week 5 against SLM without Shaun Alexander is the team's toughest game. Has one week with multiple byes for starters, and one of them is Donte Stallworth. Sets up extremely well for CD to get back to the playoffs.

8. Fresh Legs; Teams Played 2x: FA, WIRM, CHM, SLM, NDP

No playoff qualifiers on this schedule, but has two teams in SLM and NDP that have reloaded this season. Taking on CHM twice is also no picnic. Last season, Baron complained (justifiably so) about the toughest schedule in the league- this year no such complaint can be made. Can get off to a great start, which would be huge. Week 7 will be tough without Deuce McAllister and Thomas Jones against SKL. Misses three starters in week 9.

7. Tice's Partyboat; Teams Played 2x: SKL, NDP, TNM, FA, WIRM

The 'easiest' four schedules have two things in common. Have you noticed yet? Drew draws SKL twice, after three nightmarish meetings last season. Has the best schedule to close the season of anyone, a nice ace to have up one's sleeve. Missing Keyshawn Johnson and Edgerrin James vs. CD in week 9 and also misses Ruben Droughns and Donald Driver in week 6 vs. CHM.

6. Father Abraham; Teams Played 2x: FL, CD, TPB, TNM, SKL

Lincoln faces all four playoff teams from last year two times, plus faces up and comer FL twice as well. That said, the preseason poll numbers haven't been kind thus far to TNM, and FA's schedule is softened as a result. The worst part is that their most winnable game probably comes in week 7 against WIRM, but misses Jamal Lewis, Joe Horn and Drew Bennett that week. Ouch.

5. The Slumpbusters; Teams Played 2x: WIRM, CHM, NDP, FL, CD

Does not have JR Radcliffe looming in Week 14, but still faces a stiff test against CD. This schedule difficulty looks more impressive when SLM was deemed the 2nd toughest team this season. The schedule difficulty was a mere 3 points away (TPB and FL get 22s, SLM a 24) from being #8, whereas the jump to the next hardest is 5 points. Week 7 is the Rams bye week, tough enough as is, but coupled with a game against TPB, it's salt in the wound. Week 8 may be worse, however- as his nemesis TNM gets him without Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Roy Williams, and Willis McGahee.

4. Naj Davenport's Poop; Teams Played 2x: CHM, TPB, SLM, TNM, FL

Two serious heavyweights on here, with no weaklings twice as of yet. The schedule was there for Viano to cruise into the playoffs last season, but Fred Lane's Wife stumbled in week 12 to CHM. Goes into battle week 4 without Mike Bell, Willie Parker, Hines Ward and Javon Walker vs. TNM. Not the greatest draw for the reloaded Vianos, but still- doable.

3. The Nihilist Marmot; Teams Played 2x: CD, SKL, TPB, NDP, FA

This schedule is also considerably harder than the one deemed one spot easier. Faces all three fellow playoff teams from last season, though a final with Father Abraham should be less stressful than the past two seasons'. Tiki and Caddy go missing week 4, the same week Viano gets killed with his worst bye. Honestly, JR's bye week is more devastating.

2. ChamPeons; Teams Played 2x: NDP, SLM, FL, CD, SKL

An eyelash easier than Dave's, only because poll numbers have deemed TPB slightly better than NDP so far. Murderous schedule, especially the last two weeks. No breathers here, but that's the way Champ likes it. Steady Eddie, Terrell Owens and Julius Jones all miss week 3 against Baron as his worst bye week.

1. Who Is Ron Mexico?; Teams Played 2x: SLM, FL, CD, SKL, TPB

One point shy of a "perfect" schedule comprised of the 5 toughest teams twice. Ignoring the "they don't play themselves" factor, this is a brutal schedule all the way around. 3 playoff teams and the four highest scorers from last year, all with designs on similar success. Does get to play rival Baron 2x, and that is always entertaining. Does not have an eligible QB in week 4 and misses Chester Taylor, Ernest Wilford, Braylon Edwards and Deion Branch in week 6 vs. JR.