Quarterbacks lose fantasy points for throwing an interception in nearly all standard fantasy football league settings. This negative scoring is a direct reflection of the real-world impact an interception has on an NFL game, as it immediately ends an offensive drive and gives possession to the opposing team. The penalty is applied to the quarterback regardless of whether the interception is returned for a touchdown or simply results in a change of possession. Understanding this specific point deduction is one of the most important scoring rules when managing a fantasy roster.
The Standard Interception Penalty
The most common scoring rule for a quarterback interception is a deduction of either one or two fantasy points. Major fantasy platforms like Yahoo often default to a -1 point penalty for each interception thrown, while sites like ESPN and Sleeper frequently use a -2 point deduction as their standard setting. This difference means a quarterback who throws two interceptions could lose two points in one league and four points in another, significantly impacting the weekly score. This penalty reflects that an interception is a turnover, which is one of the most damaging plays an offense can commit.
The negative points serve to balance the high scoring potential quarterbacks have from passing yards and touchdowns. For example, a quarterback might earn four points for a passing touchdown, meaning a two-point interception penalty effectively negates half the value of that positive play. This scoring mechanism encourages fantasy managers to prioritize quarterbacks who demonstrate strong ball security and a low interception rate. The penalty is applied instantly when the turnover occurs in live scoring updates.
Some leagues have an additional, separate penalty for a “pick-six,” which is an interception returned for a touchdown, further penalizing the quarterback for the most catastrophic type of turnover. While the standard penalty is usually -1 or -2 points, the exact value is determined by the league’s commissioner and the platform’s default settings.
Common Scoring Variations
The interception penalty is one of the most frequently customized settings in fantasy football, allowing league commissioners to adjust the scoring to their preference. While the default is typically -1 or -2 points, a commissioner can set the penalty to zero, effectively eliminating the negative consequence for an interception. Conversely, a league can choose to increase the penalty to -3 or -4 points to make turnovers a more punishing factor in the scoring.
In leagues that utilize a Superflex or two-quarterback (2-QB) roster spot, the interception penalty often becomes less impactful on a manager’s decision-making. The scarcity of starting quarterbacks in these formats means managers are willing to tolerate a higher risk of turnovers for the sheer volume of points a starting quarterback provides. Even with a higher penalty, the overall value of a starting quarterback remains high because of the positional demand.
Fantasy managers should always check the specific scoring settings of their league before the season begins. The difference between a -1 and a -2 point penalty, or the presence of an additional penalty for a pick-six, can change the weekly outcome of a matchup. Understanding these variations is important for accurately projecting a quarterback’s fantasy performance and making informed roster decisions.