As a result, the stud offensive players who can run, catch, and pass for big yards and not just score are the elite players in the fantasy world. In essence, fantasy rewards a player for playing a good game even if he doesn’t score lots of touchdowns. Scoring touchdowns isn’t easy in the NFL, and just because an offensive player can’t reach the end zone doesn’t mean he’s having a bad game.
Fantasy football also awards points to kickers who kick field goals and extra points and to team defenses that can score fantasy points by not giving up points and creating turnovers, in addition to scoring touchdowns and safeties. Basically, anything from fumble recoveries to receptions to field goal distance can add up for your fantasy team.
Every league provider has a default setting for the stats that will convert to fantasy scoring, but any NFL stat can translate into fantasy points — only your league commissioner can make the decision to change any defaults.
To know your league’s scoring default, make sure you check out your league’s scoring system when preparing for your season. The scoring rules of your league may affect your draft strategy and will affect the outcome of each game during the season.
Fantasy football simulates the real deal by using a performance-based scoring system. A touchdown is worth 6 points for an NFL team and 6 fantasy points for a player on a fantasy team (in most leagues). Fantasy players are also awarded points for yardage gained, such as 1 point for every 10 yards gained rushing or receiving.Bad NFL plays often count as negative fantasy points; sacks can be worth –1 or interceptions worth –2. In general, every statistic can be used to rate a player’s achievements, good and bad, depending on your fantasy league.
Your fantasy team’s final score each week is the sum of all your starting players’ fantasy points. The following table shows an example of fantasy scoring for one week in a league with fractional and negative points. Don’t worry about having to calculate all this each week. Your league provider does the math for you.
A Good Week for Your Fantasy Team
| Position | Actual Performance | Fantasy Points Scored | Fantasy Point Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 240 yds passing 2 touchdowns 1 interception | 240 ÷ 20 = 12 2 x 6 = 12 1 x –2 = –2 | 22 |
| Wide receiver | 110 yds receiving 1 touchdown | 110 ÷ 10 = 11 1 x 6 = 6 | 17 |
| Wide receiver | 85 yds receiving | 85 ÷ 10 = 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Wide receiver | 40 yds receiving 1 lost fumble | 40 ÷ 10 = 4 1 x –2 = –2 | 2 |
| Running back | 140 yds rushing 35 yds receiving 3 touchdowns | 140 ÷ 10 = 14 35 ÷ 10 = 3.5 3 x 6 = 18 | 35.5 |
| Running back | 80 yds rushing 75 yds receiving 1 touchdown 2 lost fumbles | 80 ÷ 10 = 8 75 ÷ 10 = 7.5 1 x 6 = 6 2 x –2 = –4 | 17.5 |
| Tight end | 0 yds | 0 | 0 |
| Kicker | 2 field goals 2 extra points | 2 x 3 = 6 2 x 1 = 2 | 8 |
| Team defense | 14 points allowed 2 sacks 1 fumble recovered 1 interception | 14 points = 1 2 x 2 = 4 1 x 2 = 2 1 x 2 = 2 | 9 |
| _____________ | _____________ | _____________ | 119.5 |
To know your fantasy football league’s scoring default, make sure you check out your league’s scoring system when preparing for your season. The scoring rules of your league may affect your draft strategy and will affect the outcome of each game during the season.