If you are just starting your first year playing fantasy football you may still be learning what all the terminology and acronyms mean. One acronym which often leaves new fantasy footballers confused is DST.
DST in fantasy football stands for defense and special teams. Unlike most fantasy positions where you pick a single player choosing a DST allows you to select an entire teams defense and special teams.
At most fantasy positions such as quarterback, a single-player like Tom Brady would earn points for your fantasy team based on his stats in each week’s game.
With DST the stats of the defense and special teams as a whole will be calculated in order to determine how many points you scored.
DST will also take into account the play of special teams on the same team as the defense.
How Does DST Scoring Work?
Now that you know that DST in fantasy football stands for defense and special teams you now may be wondering how this scoring works.
Below we will break down each scoring factor in both defense and special teams. This way you will know what to route for when watching your DST play on Sundays.
Defense
In most cases, your fantasy football defense is going to earn you more points than your special teams.
Points Allowed
The first metric that will earn you points is how many points the defense has allowed.
If your defense allows zero points you will earn the max amount from this metric.
The higher points the opposing offense scores the more your defenses points will be reduced in this category.
Sacks
Sacks are the next most common statistic that is going to earn you fantasy points. Depending on your league scoring your team is going to earn one or two fantasy points each time a player on your defense earns a sack.
A sack in football occurs when a defensive player tackles the quarterback before he is able to throw the ball.
Touchdowns
Touchdowns are a hugely important factor when it comes to fantasy scoring for your DST. Anytime your defense or special teams scores a touchdown your team is going to be awarded six points.
Whether it’s a pick six, fumble recovery for a touchdown, or a kick return touchdowns all are worth six points for your DST position.
Interceptions And Fumble Recoveries
Interceptions and fumbles are both turnovers the defense can generate in order to create more fantasy points for your team.
Interceptions are usually going to earn your team two points depending on your league scoring. Fumbles are only going to earn your team points if the defense is able to recover them.
Forcing a fumble is not going to earn your defense anything in most fantasy leagues. The defense will need to recover the fumble to earn points because if they do not then they have not generated a turnover.
Safety
A safety is another scoring play that can be generated by the DST in fantasy football. A safety occurs when the defense tackles the offense inside their own end zone.
A safety is going to earn your fantasy team two points in most leagues. It will also earn your defense two points in real life.
Special Teams
Special teams does not usually earn your team too many points week to week but every once in a while it can make the difference in your matchup.
Blocked Kicks
Blocking a field goal or an extra point attempt is going to earn your team two points in most fantasy leagues. This is not a very common occurrence but you should find your DST will get a few blocks throughout the course of the season.
PAT Return
When attempting a two-point conversion or extra point the defense can score two points if they are able to return the ball to the opponent endzone.
Doing this is going to earn your fantasy defense anywhere from two to four points.
