Fantasy Football How Does the Defense Score?

How Does the Defense Score in Fantasy Football?

Though most Fantasy players usually draft their defense in the closing rounds, it can be an important contributor to a team's total points each week. With different strategies that can be used, the defense earns points much differently than offensive players.

Fantasy Points

Different positions have different ways of obtaining points in Fantasy, but all points go toward the same total. While the defense may not always average as high of a point total as a wide receiver or a quarterback, the points can still be the difference between a win and a loss. Different leagues may have different scoring breakdowns, but the overall allotment of points for specific plays stays similar for most of them.

Standard Scoring System

The Standard Scoring System in Fantasy Football is the easiest to implement, especially in leagues run by individuals instead of a website. For defensive players, the points are broken down as follows:

• Blocked Kick = 2 points
• Safety = 2 points
• Sack = 1 point
• Fumble = 1 point
• Fumble Recovery = 1 point
• Interception = 2 points
• 0 Points Allowed = 10 points
• 1-6 Points Allowed = 8 points
• 7-13 Points Allowed = 6 points
• 14-20 Points Allowed = 2 points
• 21-27 Points Allowed = 1 point
• 28-34 Points Allowed = 0 points
• 35-41 Points Allowed = -2 points
• 42 or more Points Allowed= -4 points

Individual Defensive Player Scoring

In IDP scoring, specific defensive positions are taken into account for each game. This system is not meant to stand alone, but go along with another scoring system as a way to get more in depth.

The positions taken into account for scoring include:

• Defensive Tackle
• Defensive End
• Cornerback
• Safety
• Nickelback
• Outside Linebacker
• Middle Linebacker

The scoring system for these positions is:

• Solo Tackle = 1 point
• Assist on a Tackle = .5 point
• Tackles for a Loss = 1 point
• Sack = 2 points (1 point for every 10 yards lost)
• Direct Hit on Quarterback = 1 point
• Interception = 3 points
• Pass Defended = 1 point
• 2-Point Conversion Return = 2 points
• Fumble Forced = 3 points
• Fumble Recovered = 3 points
• Defensive Touchdown = 6 points