If you're new to fantasy football, then you are dealing with a lot of new terms and acronyms, such as RB1, WR3, IDP, ADP and the like. There are also two abbreviations that greet you in the standings (PF and PA) that help you assess your team's performance and playoff chances.
PF stands for Points For, which is the total number of points your fantasy team has scored during the season. It's calculated by adding up all the points your starting lineup earns each week. A high PF means your team is consistently putting up strong scores, even if your win-loss record doesn't reflect it.
PF is important because many leagues use it as a tiebreaker when two or more teams have the same record at the end of the season. If you're in a playoff race, boosting your PF (even in games you lose) can make the difference between making the playoffs or missing out. That may mean a waiver wire pickup in a bye week just to add a handful more points to your total.
PA stands for Points Against, which is the total number of points your opponents have scored when facing you. This number tells you how tough your schedule has been. If you have a high PA, it means you've faced strong opponents who have scored big in your matchups. A low PA usually means you've had an easier path.
How PF and PA Affect Playoff Chances
PF and PA together give you a clearer picture of your team's true strength:
- High PF + High PA: You're strong but probably unlucky, facing tough competition. You could still make a playoff run.
- High PF + Low PA: You're dominant and in a great spot for the postseason.
- Low PF + High PA: A rough season, and you'll need a roster shake-up to compete. Look at the free agents and waiver wire, compare their fantasy football rankings and make some moves.
- Low PF + Low PA: You may have overperformed against weaker opponents and could face challenges ahead.
PF is often the better predictor of future wins than your current record, while PA explains whether your success or struggles are due to luck or strength of schedule. Understanding both helps you adjust strategy — whether that's making trades, improving depth or targeting certain matchups.
Building That Balanced Team
The key to success for a new manager is starting with a strong knowledge base. That begins with your draft, and using the RotoWire draft kit to build your acumen and confidence.
Use the Mock Draft Simulator as many times as you like to get comfortable with the pace of a draft. Deploy the fantasy football draft assistant during the draft to see your best options and get real-time advice.
And then stay on top of the latest NFL player news to be nimble throughout the season.
