Understanding Special Teams Scoring: How Special Teams Points Work in Fantasy Football
Special teams scoring matters because DST formats are not identical across platforms. A return touchdown, blocked kick, or missed extra point can swing a fantasy matchup, but only if your scoring system actually counts it the way you expect. Before streaming defenses, you need to know which special teams events are included, how they are scored, and whether they meaningfully change the weekly DST decision.
Understanding Special Teams Scoring
The special teams scoring components:
| Component | Typical fantasy impact | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Return touchdown | Highest single special teams swing | Upgrade elite return units in close DST calls |
| Blocked kick or punt | Low-frequency bonus event | Treat as a tiebreaker, not the main projection |
| Kicker scoring included in DST | Platform-specific scoring boost | Verify settings before comparing defenses |
| Weather-driven special teams volatility | More missed kicks and return chances | Slightly upgrade aggressive return units |
The categories: (1) return touchdowns (kick return TD + punt return TD) — most DST scoring systems award 6 points per return touchdown; some platforms award 4 points; return TDs are the highest-value single event in special teams scoring and occur approximately 3–6 times per team per season for elite return units; (2) blocked kicks — a blocked field goal, blocked punt, or blocked extra point is awarded 2 points in most DST systems; some platforms award more for a blocked kick that is returned for a touchdown; blocked kicks are low-probability events (1–3 per team per season for above-average blocking units); (3) field goals (in some scoring systems) — some fantasy platforms include the kicker’s field goals in the DST total; in those platforms, DST streaming must account for the opposing kicker’s quality and game script (favorable game scripts lead to more field goal opportunities); most modern platforms have separated kicker from DST; verify your platform’s configuration; (4) extra point rates — some platforms include missed extra points allowed (opponent’s missed PAT counts as negative for the scoring team’s DST); this is a small modifier.
The defensive scoring components in DST:
The core: (1) DST scoring is primarily driven by core defensive performance metrics: points allowed (most platforms scale DST points based on how many points the opposing offense scores — 0 points allowed = 10 DST points; 1–6 = 7; 7–13 = 4; 14–20 = 1; 21–27 = 0; 28–34 = -1; 35+ = -4 in a common system); (2) sacks earn 1 point each in most systems; interceptions earn 2 points; fumble recoveries earn 2 points; defensive or special teams touchdowns earn 6 points; (3) the “points allowed” band is the dominant component in most DST scoring; a defense that allows 0–6 points scores dramatically more than a defense that allows 20–27 points regardless of their individual stats; (4) the DST matchup for streaming should be primarily evaluated by expected points allowed; secondary by sack/turnover potential; tertiary by special teams return ability.
How to use special teams scoring in DST decisions:
Putting it to work: (1) identify which of the three components (return TD probability, defensive turnover/sack probability, and matchup-based points-allowed band) is most likely to differ between two streaming options in a given week; make your streaming decision based on the component with the most disparity; (2) in bad weather games (wind, rain, cold), special teams scoring may increase as field goals are more likely to be missed and punts create more return opportunities; DST units with elite return teams benefit from weather conditions that increase special teams events; (3) combine special teams understanding with punt return value and kickoff return value — all three resources together provide the complete special teams scoring picture; (4) the advanced analytics hub integrates DST scoring models with special teams probability estimates for complete weekly DST projections.
Worked example:
Imagine two DST streamers have similar matchup quality and turnover outlooks. Defense A has a dangerous return unit and faces a shaky punt team. Defense B has no return upside but a comparable points-allowed projection. If your platform awards full DST points for return touchdowns, Defense A becomes the better tiebreaker because it has one more path to a spike week.
Now change the settings so return scores are not included in DST scoring. The edge mostly disappears. That is why platform settings come first: the same real football event can be a fantasy difference-maker in one league and irrelevant in another.
Common mistake: comparing DST rankings across platforms without checking whether special teams scoring is included. The same defense can project differently when return touchdowns or blocked kicks are weighted differently.
For how special teams scoring connects to DST evaluation, see our punt return guide and kickoff return guide. Start at the learn hub for the full fundamentals library.