Are you new to fantasy football and feeling confused by all the terms and numbers? Don’t worry – you’re not alone!
Many fantasy players get puzzled when they see “PF” and “PA” in their league standings every week.
Understanding pf and pa fantasy football terms is crucial for any fantasy manager who wants to succeed in their league.
PF and PA are two of the most important stats in fantasy football that show how well you’re doing compared to other teams in your league.
These numbers tell a story about your team’s performance throughout the season.
PF shows how many points your team has scored, while PA shows how many points other teams have scored against you.
Learning about pf and pa in fantasy football will help you understand your league standings better.
These stats can also affect playoff seeding and tiebreakers in many leagues.
Whether you’re playing in your first fantasy league or just need a refresher, this guide will explain everything you need to know about these important fantasy football terms.
Contents
PF and PA Fantasy Football
By the end of this article, you’ll understand exactly what these numbers mean and why they matter for your fantasy success.
PF and PA Fantasy Football – A Comparison Table
| Aspect | PF (Points For) | PA (Points Against) |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | The total points your team has scored | Total points scored by teams you played against |
| Good vs Bad | Higher PF = Better performance | Lower PA = Easier schedule/better luck |
| What it shows | How well your players perform | How tough your opponents have been |
| Impact on playoffs | Higher PF often means better playoff position | Used as a tiebreaker in many leagues |
| Can you control it? | Yes – by setting good lineups | No – depends on your schedule and opponents |
| Example | Your team scores 1,200 points in 12 weeks | Opponents scored 1,100 points against you |
What is PA in Fantasy Football?
PA stands for “Points Against” in fantasy football. This number shows the total points that all your opponents have scored when they played against you during the season. Think of it as a way to measure how tough your schedule has been.
PA is completely out of your control. You can’t decide which teams you play against each week – that’s determined by your league’s schedule.
Some fantasy managers get lucky and play against teams that have bad weeks, while others face opponents who always seem to have their best games.
Here’s what PA tells you about your season:
- Lower PA numbers mean you’ve faced weaker opponents or got lucky with timing
- Higher PA numbers suggest you’ve had a tougher schedule
- PA doesn’t reflect your team’s skill – it’s all about your opponents’ performance
- Many leagues use PA as a tiebreaker for playoff spots
Real-world example: Let’s say you’re 8-4 in your league, but your PA is the highest in the league at 1,400 points.
This means even though you have a good record, you’ve faced very tough competition all season. Another team might be 8-4 with only 1,100 PA, meaning they had an easier path to the same record.
Why PA matters for playoffs: If two teams have the same record, many leagues will look at who had the harder schedule (higher PA) or use total points (PF minus PA) to break the tie.
Understanding your PA helps you know where you stand compared to other teams with similar records.
What is PF in Fantasy Football?
PF means “Points For” – this is the total number of fantasy points your team has scored throughout the entire season. Unlike PA, PF is something you can control through smart lineup decisions and good player management.
Your PF shows how well your team performs overall. Teams with high PF numbers usually have strong players who consistently put up good numbers.
If your PF is among the highest in your league, it means your players are doing their job and scoring fantasy points regularly.
Here’s what affects your PF:
- Player selection – Choosing the right players for your starting lineup each week
- Injury management – Replacing hurt players quickly
- Waiver wire moves – Adding better players when they become available
- Trade decisions – Swapping players to improve your roster
- Matchup awareness – Starting players with favorable matchups
High PF usually means success. Teams that score the most points often have the best records and make the playoffs. However, you can still lose games even with high-scoring weeks if your opponent scores even more points that week.
Examples of high-scoring players who boost your PF:
- Running backs like Christian McCaffrey, who get lots of touches
- Wide receivers like CeeDee Lam,b who catch many passes and score touchdowns
- Quarterbacks who throw for lots of yards and touchdowns
- Tight ends who are reliable targets in the red zone
PF as a tiebreaker: Most leagues use total points (PF) as the first tiebreaker when teams have identical records. This rewards teams that have been consistently productive all season, even if they’ve had some unlucky losses.
PF and PA in Fantasy Football
When you look at PF and PA together, they tell the complete story of your fantasy football season. These two numbers working together show whether you’ve been good, lucky, unlucky, or just plain bad this year.
The four main combinations you’ll see:
- High PF, Low PA = You’re having a great season with good players and an easy schedule
- High PF, High PA = You have good players, but face tough competition each week
- Low PF, Low PA = Your team isn’t great, but you’re getting lucky with easy matchups
- Low PF, High PA = This is the worst spot – weak team facing strong opponents
Why both numbers matter for playoffs:
Most fantasy leagues use these stats to determine playoff seeding and resolve tiebreakers. Here’s how they typically work:
- Win-loss record comes first
- Head-to-head results between tied teams
- Total points (PF) breaks most ties
- Points against (PA) may be used for final tiebreakers
Understanding your league position: Let’s say you’re 6-6 and fighting for a playoff spot. If your PF is high but your PA is also high, you’ve been unlucky – you’re a good team that’s faced tough competition. If your PF is low but your PA is also low, you might be getting lucky and need to improve your roster.
Making strategic decisions: Knowing your PF and PA helps you decide whether to make trades or waiver moves. If your PF is low, you need better players. If your PA is high, you might just need some better luck in the final weeks.
Fantasy Football Scoring
Understanding how fantasy football scoring works helps you see why PF and PA matter so much. Every week, your players earn points based on their real NFL performance, and these points add up to create your season-long PF total.
Standard Fantasy Football Scoring:
Quarterback Points:
- 1 point for every 25 passing yards
- 6 points for each passing touchdown
- -2 points for each interception
- 4 points for rushing touchdowns
Running Back and Wide Receiver Points:
- 1 point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards
- 6 points for each touchdown
- 1 point per reception (in PPR leagues only)
- 2 points for two-point conversions
Tight End Points:
- Same as running backs and receivers
- Often get 1.5 points per reception in some leagues
Defense/Special Teams Points:
- Points allowed determine base score (fewer points = more fantasy points)
- Sacks, interceptions, and fumbles add bonus points
- Touchdowns score big points
- Safeties and blocked kicks earn points
Kicker Points:
- Field goals earn 3-5 points, depending on distance
- Extra points are usually worth 1 point
- Missed kicks may loss points in some leagues
Different league formats affect scoring:
- Standard leagues don’t give points for receptions
- PPR (Point Per Reception) leagues give 1 point for each catch
- Half-PPR leagues give 0.5 points per reception
- Superflex leagues let you start two quarterbacks
- IDP leagues include individual defensive players
Why scoring format matters: The scoring system in your league affects which players are most valuable. In PPR leagues, receivers who catch lots of passes become more valuable. In standard leagues, touchdown-heavy players are often better choices.
PF and PA in Fantasy Football FAQs
- What is PA in fantasy football?
PA stands for “Points Against.” It represents the total number of fantasy points that your opponents have scored in games against your team throughout the season. This number is completely out of your control since it depends on how well other people’s teams perform when they play you. A high PA might mean you’ve had bad luck facing opponents during their best weeks, while a low PA could mean you’ve caught breaks when opponents had down weeks.
- What is PF in fantasy football?
PF means “Points For.” This is the total number of fantasy points your team has accumulated over the entire season. Your PF reflects how well your players have performed in real NFL games. Unlike PA, you have direct control over your PF through lineup decisions, waiver wire pickups, trades, and draft choices. A high PF usually indicates that you’ve made good decisions and your players are performing well.
- Why do PF and PA fantasy points matter?
PF and PA are crucial for several reasons:
- Playoff seeding – Teams with higher PF often get better playoff positions
- Tiebreakers – Most leagues use PF to break ties between teams with identical records
- Performance evaluation – These stats show if you’re truly good or just lucky/unlucky
- Trade decisions – Knowing your PF helps determine if you need roster improvements
- Bragging rights – High PF shows you’re a skilled fantasy manager
- League analysis – Comparing PF and PA helps you understand your season’s story
- How do I improve my PF?
Several strategies can boost your Points For:
- Start your best players every week based on matchups and health
- Work the waiver wire to find emerging players and handcuffs
- Make smart trades to upgrade weak positions on your roster
- Stream defenses and kickers based on favorable matchups
- Stay active with lineup changes due to injuries and bye weeks
- Research matchups to find players likely to have big games
- Can I control my PA?
No, you cannot control your Points Against. Your PA depends entirely on how well your opponents’ teams perform when they play against you. This is determined by the league schedule and random chance. However, understanding your PA helps you evaluate whether your record reflects your team’s true quality or if luck has played a major role in your season.
- What’s a good PF for fantasy football?
A good PF depends on your league size and scoring system:
- 12-team standard leagues: 100+ points per week (1,200+ for season)
- 10-team standard leagues: 110+ points per week (1,320+ for season)
- PPR leagues: Add 10-20 points per week to standard expectations
- Top teams usually average 120+ points per week in most formats
Remember: These are general guidelines. What matters most is how your PF compares to other teams in your specific league.
Conclusion
Understanding PF and PA in fantasy football is essential for every fantasy manager who wants to succeed in their league.
These two simple numbers tell the complete story of your fantasy season and help you make better decisions throughout the year.
- PF (Points For) shows how well your team performs and reflects your skill as a fantasy manager. High PF numbers come from smart draft picks, good waiver wire moves, effective trades, and setting the right lineup each week. This is the number you can control and improve through active management.
- PA (Points Against) reveals how tough your schedule has been and whether luck has played a role in your season. While you can’t control this number, understanding it helps you evaluate your team’s true strength and potential for future success.
Together, PF and PA provide crucial insights that go beyond your win-loss record. They help determine playoff seeding, break ties between teams, and show whether you’re genuinely good or just getting lucky. Most importantly, they guide your decision-making for trades, waiver moves, and lineup changes.
Remember these key points:
- Higher PF usually leads to more wins and a better playoff position
- PA is about luck – don’t get discouraged by a high number
- Both stats matter for tiebreakers and playoff seeding
- Use these numbers to evaluate your team’s true performance
- Stay active to keep improving your PF throughout the season
Whether you’re fighting for a playoff spot or trying to secure the best seed, keeping track of your PF and PA will help you understand where you stand and what moves you need to make. Good luck with your fantasy football season!
