Fantasy Football is engaging, thrilling, and incredibly fun. This article is for you beginners who have always been curious about why fantasy football appeals to your buddies, co-workers, and significant others. It is meant to inspire first timers to try immersing yourself into a game that you already love: yup, football! The thing is some terms starting out can be a little confusing. This article is also meant to bring clarity to some of the technical terms of fantasy football. Namely, what does PPR and non-PPR mean? What’s the difference? Every year your league drafts players of different positions (running backs, wide receivers, tight ends) to build a team that matches up against other teams during the actual football season. PPR or non-PPR refers to the scoring style of your specific league.
Fantasy League Scoring: PPR
PPR stands for points per reception and focuses on non-QB (quarterback) players. This concept alludes to the scoring format your league manager has in place. Your league manager is the commissioner of your league and sets the scoring procedure. In PPR leagues, every time a player on your teamcatches the ball your drafted player earns one point. For every ten yards that player runs, your player gains another point. If your player scores a touchdown then he earns six points, but if your player fumbles you lose two points.
Example: You, hypothetically, drafted Deebo Samuel (wide receiver) from the 49ers. In Game 1 of the season, Samuel caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. So four catches equals four points, 76 yards nets seven points, and a touchdown scores six. So for Week 1 on your fantasy team Deebo Samuel scored you 17 points.
Fantasy League Scoring: Non-PPR
The PPR format is a very high scoring and arcade-like. non-PPR is simply a more traditional way of playing fantasy. The points per reception do not count and your player is handcuffed to how many yards they produce and number of touchdowns scored. Non-PPR is more strategic and points are harder to score. In PPR, receiving running backs have more value. Non- PPR leagues value workhorse backs more. In 2021, Jonathan Taylor was the top non-QB player, by far, for non-PPR leagues.
Knowledge and Practice Are Key
It’s that magically slow part of the year where the NFL is on summer break and not much is happening on the field. This is the perfect time for you to invest a little brain space in learning about fantasy football. The best way to practice: mock drafts. If you download a fantasy football app (ESPN, Yahoo), then mock drafts are available for you to practice drafting your team and focusing on the players you want this season. A few tips: your first three players drafted score you a third of your overall points, tight ends go quick. There, some unsolicited help.
Fantasy Football’s intoxicating nature is matched only by the excitement of gameday. Your league’s draft day will turn into one of your favorite days of the year. Just like Christmas. Fantasy Football builds comradery amongst friends, families, and fans. Trust the millions of people who play: it’s like a slice of heaven when you are following your favorite team and your fantasy team, simultaneously. Study, draft well, and good luck, Rookie!
This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.
