What is fantasy football?

Fantasy football is a game in which you build a roster of real NFL players and score points based on their statistics in actual games.

You usually compete in a league against friends, coworkers, family members, or other online managers. Each team drafts players, sets a weekly starting lineup, and earns points for results such as yards, receptions, touchdowns, field goals, and defensive plays.

Most leagues use weekly head-to-head matchups. The teams with the strongest records advance to fantasy playoffs near the end of the NFL regular season. League settings vary, so scoring rules and eligible lineup positions should always be checked before the draft.