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Imagine you are competing in an ESPN fantasy football league.
All your players performed on Sunday, while one of your opponent’s players is in action on Monday night.
Thankfully, only seconds remain in regulation time of Monday night’s game, and you lead your opponent by two points.
However, the score is tied, and the game is headed for overtime.
It’s time to celebrate, right?
I’m Tracy, and I’ve been an NFL and fantasy football student for years. So I know the rules regarding overtime in the NFL and ESPN fantasy football.
In this post, I’ll address whether an extra period affects a player’s fantasy score, how that score may be impacted, and how significant the effect is.
In the meantime, you should probably hold off on any celebrations until you peruse this article.
Let’s get smarter!
Key Takeaways
- Yes, all statistics generated during overtime count toward your players’ scores in ESPN fantasy football.
- During overtime, NFL players and D/ST may gain or lose fantasy points.
- Due to the nature of NFL overtime rules, a fantasy opponent with one or two players participating in an extra period is unlikely to significantly affect the outcome of your fantasy contest.
Does Overtime Affect Players’ Fantasy Football Scores?
Yes, all statistics generated during an overtime period count toward players’ scores in ESPN fantasy football.
In a standard ESPN fantasy football league, your eight offensive players and your defense/special teams earn points based on the statistics they generate in actual NFL games. [1]
In a real NFL football game, players accumulate statistics during overtime. [2]
How Does Overtime Affect Players’ Fantasy Football Scores?
NFL players score fantasy points in overtime in the same manner as regulation, with two exceptions.
In overtime, there are no PATs or two-point conversions. [3]
Nonetheless, points are awarded to NFL players for rushing, receiving, and passing yards, touchdowns, field goals, and receptions in PPR leagues. [4]
In addition, points are subtracted from NFL players for interceptions, fumbles, and missed field goals.
Points are awarded to D/ST for sacks, blocked field goals, punts, fumble recoveries, interceptions, and defensive or special teams touchdowns.
Lastly, points may be subtracted from D/ST for any additional real-life points they allow during overtime.
The point total the defense allows during a game includes those surrendered during overtime.
NFL Overtime Rules and Fantasy Football – It Could be Worse
Suppose your ESPN NFL fantasy football opponent possesses a player or two who participate in overtime periods.
I urge you not to overreact, as it’s not the end of the world.
These players may pad their scores a bit, but it is unlikely to be significant.
First, NFL overtime periods last at most ten minutes.
The contest is a draw if the score remains tied after ten minutes of overtime.
Hence, at most, any given player is involved in just one possession.
Second, if the first team to possess the ball in overtime scores a touchdown, the game is over.
Suppose your fantasy opponent’s players do not play for the team that possessed the ball first and matriculated the ball into the end zone.
In that case, those players earn no points during the overtime period.
Third, your fantasy opponent’s defense may play an extra period.
Any additional points the defense allows during overtime will lower their fantasy score.
In this case, overtime plays to your benefit! [5]
Closing Thoughts
Yes, overtime statistics do count in ESPN fantasy football.
Still, they are unlikely to determine the outcome of your weekly fantasy football contest.
I’d like to hear your thoughts if you won or lost a fantasy football contest due to overtime.
References
- https://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=fflrulesstandardscoring
- https://www.sportingnews.com/us/fantasy/news/fantasy-football-overtime-does-ot-count-espn-yahoo-cbs-leagues-rules-settings-points/1cyxs2yaerxdh18zwwxc4dlwxx#
- https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/01/nfl-overtime-procedures/
- https://www.sportingnews.com/us/fantasy/news/fantasy-football-overtime-does-ot-count-espn-yahoo-cbs-leagues-rules-settings-points/1cyxs2yaerxdh18zwwxc4dlwxx#
- https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/01/nfl-overtime-procedures/
