Scoring & Rules
Every scoring rule, roster structure, waiver, trade, and playoff format
MFL Fantasy Football uses Point-Per-Reception (PPR) scoring with a balanced ruleset across offense, kicking, and team defense. This page documents every scoring rule in the platform, the rationale behind each value, the roster structure, the lineup lock rules, the waiver and trade mechanics, and the playoff format. If you want to understand exactly how fantasy points get calculated for your team, this is the reference.
Offensive Scoring
The offensive scoring system rewards both volume (yards, receptions) and finishing (touchdowns). It uses the most common modern PPR values.
| Stat | Points |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 0.04 per yard (25 yards = 1 point) |
| Passing Touchdown | +4 |
| Interception Thrown | -2 |
| Rushing Yards | 0.1 per yard (10 yards = 1 point) |
| Rushing Touchdown | +6 |
| Receiving Yards | 0.1 per yard (10 yards = 1 point) |
| Receiving Touchdown | +6 |
| Reception (PPR) | +1 per catch |
| Fumble Lost | -1 |
Why These Values?
0.04 per Passing Yard
This is the standard modern fantasy QB scoring rate, calibrated so that elite QBs score 18-25 fantasy points per game and replacement-level QBs score 10-14. A 300-yard, 2-TD passing game gives a QB roughly 20 fantasy points before adding rushing — solid starter production.
0.1 per Rushing/Receiving Yard
Standard fantasy scoring rate for non-passing yardage. A 100-yard rushing game alone is worth 10 points, before adding TDs or receptions. This calibration means a "stat-line stud" with 120 yards from scrimmage and a TD nets approximately 18-20 fantasy points — comfortable RB1/WR1 territory.
+1 per Reception (Full PPR)
Full PPR scoring gives pass-catching backs and high-target receivers significantly more value than half-PPR or standard scoring. A pass-catching RB who gets 8 catches for 50 yards on a quiet rushing day still scores 13 points just from the receiving game. This makes the WR/RB FLEX decision more interesting and increases the relative value of TEs.
+4 for Passing TD vs +6 for Rushing/Receiving TD
The 4-point passing TD has been the fantasy standard for two decades. It accounts for the fact that QBs already accumulate substantial yardage points; the lower TD value keeps QB scoring from running away from other positions. Rushing and receiving TDs at 6 points match the actual on-field scoring value.
-2 for Interception, -1 for Fumble Lost
Negative scoring matters. A 4-INT day from your QB can torpedo your week. The -1 fumble penalty applies only to fumbles that are lost — fumbling but recovering it yourself does not score against you.
Kicker Scoring
Kickers are scored by field goal distance and extra points, with a penalty for misses.
| Stat | Points |
|---|---|
| Field Goal 0-39 yards | +3 |
| Field Goal 40-49 yards | +4 |
| Field Goal 50+ yards | +5 |
| Extra Point Made | +1 |
| Missed Field Goal | -1 |
Kicker Strategy Note
The point spread between K1 and K15 over a full season is typically 30 points or less — about 2 points per week. Draft kickers in the last round and stream them based on matchup. A kicker on a great offense that frequently stalls in the red zone (forcing FG attempts) will outscore a kicker on a great offense that scores TDs (limiting their FG opportunities). The math is counterintuitive but consistent.
Defense and Special Teams (D/ST) Scoring
D/ST scoring is event-based — sacks, turnovers, defensive scores, and safeties.
| Stat | Points |
|---|---|
| Defensive Sack | +1 |
| Defensive Interception | +2 |
| Fumble Recovery | +2 |
| Defensive Touchdown | +6 |
| Safety | +2 |
| Kick Return TD (team) | +6 |
| Punt Return TD (team) | +6 |
D/ST Strategy Note
D/ST scoring is highly volatile. A defense that gives up 35 points but recovers 2 fumbles and returns one for a TD will outscore a defense that gives up 14 points but generates only sacks. Plan accordingly — pick D/STs with high turnover-and-TD upside, even if their overall defensive metrics are not elite. Return TDs are credited to the team D/ST, not to individual return specialists.
Roster Format
The standard MFL Fantasy roster has 9 starters and 6 bench:
| Slot | Eligible Positions | Count |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Quarterback only | 1 |
| RB | Running Back only | 2 |
| WR | Wide Receiver only | 2 |
| TE | Tight End only | 1 |
| FLEX | RB / WR / TE | 1 |
| K | Kicker only | 1 |
| D/ST | Team Defense only | 1 |
| BN | Any position | 6 |
Total roster size: 15 players. The FLEX slot can hold an RB, WR, or TE depending on what gives you the best projected output that week.
Lineup Lock Rules
Lineups lock per player, not per week. The moment a player's MFL team kicks off their game for the week, that player's slot is frozen — you cannot move them to or from your starting lineup. This is identical to standard ESPN/Yahoo/Sleeper behavior.
Practical implication: you can swap players in and out of your lineup throughout the week as long as the affected players' games have not started yet. If your starting RB is on the Monday night game, you have until Monday evening to make decisions about him. If your other RB is in the Sunday early game, his slot locks at Sunday 1pm.
Waiver Rules
After the final game of each MFL week, a waiver period opens. During the waiver period, all dropped players and unowned free agents are subject to a claim system rather than first-come-first-served.
Waiver order: reverse standings — worst team picks first by default. After a successful claim, the team that won the claim drops to the bottom of the waiver order. This rolling priority system means active teams who claim often will frequently have lower priority, while inactive teams accumulate higher priority. It rewards strategic restraint.
Waiver period length: 24-48 hours, configurable per league. Most leagues use 48 hours to allow time for everyone to see the results and make decisions.
After waivers clear: remaining players become standard free agents — first-come-first-served add/drop, no priority system. This continues until the next week's games begin.
Trade Rules
Standard trades: any number of players for any number of players, between any two teams. There is no maximum trade size, no positional restrictions, no cap on how many trades you can make per season.
Trade approval: three modes available per league:
- Commissioner approval: all trades must be reviewed and approved by the commissioner before they finalize
- League veto: trades go through automatically unless a majority of other teams vote to veto within a 24-48 hour window
- Auto-approve: all trades finalize the moment both teams accept
Trade deadline: optional, set by the commissioner. By default, trades are allowed all season. Some leagues set a deadline at Week 11 or 12 to prevent playoff manipulation.
Playoff Format
The playoffs run during Weeks 15, 16, and 17 of the MFL season:
| Week | Round |
|---|---|
| Week 15 | Quarterfinals (or first round) |
| Week 16 | Semifinals |
| Week 17 | Championship |
Seeding is based on regular-season standings. Tiebreakers in order:
- Overall record (W-L-T)
- Head-to-head record between tied teams
- Total points scored
- Total points against (less is better)
Bye weeks: In a 6-team playoff format, the top 2 seeds receive a Week 15 bye and start play in Week 16.
Playoff scoring: identical to regular-season scoring. No special rules, no double-points weeks, no bonus categories. Real stats, calculated the same way.
Customizing Scoring
Every value on this page is the default. Commissioners can customize scoring for their league before the draft starts. Common modifications:
- Half-PPR (0.5 per reception instead of 1.0)
- Standard scoring (0 per reception)
- 6-point passing TDs
- Yardage bonuses (e.g., +3 for a 300-yard passing game or a 100-yard rushing game)
- Negative points for D/ST giving up large point totals
Scoring locks once the draft starts and cannot be changed mid-season. Decide before the draft.