Fantasy Football How Does The Defense Score?
In fantasy football, there are three different groups of players that can add points to a team. These groups include:
- Offensive Scoring
- Special Teams Scoring
- Defensive Scoring
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 football, but all points go toward the same total fantasy points. While the defense may not always average as high of a point total as a running back 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 Defensive Scoring System
The standard defensive 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 most often 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
The most prominent method of scoring for fantasy football defenses, points allowed, represents the number of points a football defense surrenders to the opposing offense. This is why at the start of a game, a fantasy defense will have ten points, because they have allowed 0 points in the real-life game.
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 to go along with another scoring system as a way to get more in-depth.
The positions that contribute to the defense’s score 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 = 0.5 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
Standard Scoring Chart
| ACTION | POINTS AWARDED |
|---|---|
| Blocked Kick | 2 points |
| Safety | 2 points |
| Sack | 1 point |
| Forced 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 |
IDP Scoring Chart
| ACTION | POINTS AWARDED |
|---|---|
| Solo Tackle | 1 point |
| Assist on a Tackle | 0.5 points |
| Tackles for Loss | 1 point |
| Sack | 2 points |
| Sack Yardage | 1 point for every 10 yards lost |
| Direct Hit on Quarterback | 1 points |
| 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 |
FAQ
What is a good score for a defense in fantasy football?
Defenses can score a wide range of points in a game, all dependent on how well they play. They can score negative points if they allow too many points in a game, but they can score lots of points if they keep the game low-scoring and have a large number of interceptions and sacks. Generally, a good score for a defense during a game is around 12.5 points. Good defenses will achieve this score, while weaker defensive teams may only score four or fewer points.
How can defenses score points in fantasy football?
Defenses can gain points by performing certain actions on the football field. Some of these actions include sacks, fumble recoveries, tackles, and interceptions. Each action will gain the defense a certain amount of points. For example, a sack is worth one point, while an interception is worth two. The more impressive the action, the more points the defense will earn.
How many defensive players can a team have in IDP leagues?
In IDP leagues, there is quite a variance regarding how many defensive players any given team can have. This will come down to your league’s commissioner and what roster specifications the league has set. Typically, in IDP leagues, teams will carry three or four defensive players or feature a single defensive player for each defensive position. Once again, there isn’t a right or wrong way to decide which roster structure you and your league mates use; it all comes down to personal preference.