Fantasy Football Pick'em: NFL player props explained

Fantasy football pick'em is a way to play fantasy football without drafting a team or managing a salary cap. You pick whether NFL players will finish MORE or LESS than a projected stat line, combine 2 to 10 picks into an entry, and win if your picks hit. It takes minutes to set up and settles the same day.

Pick'em vs season-long fantasy vs DFS

• Season-long fantasy: you draft a roster in August and manage it all season against the same league.
• Daily fantasy (DFS): you build a full lineup under a salary cap for one slate and compete against other entries for a prize pool.
• Pick'em: you choose individual player props and play against the line, with a fixed multiplier set before kickoff.

Pick'em is the fastest of the three. There is no draft, no salary math, and no waiting to see where you finish on a leaderboard.

How NFL pick'em works on Payday

1. Pick a player and a stat line, such as a quarterback's passing yards.
2. Choose MORE or LESS.
3. Add more picks, from 2 up to 10.
4. Choose MAX, where every pick must hit for the highest payout, or FLEX, which still pays if one or more picks miss. See MAX vs FLEX.
5. Submit before kickoff. Payouts can reach up to 100x your entry, subject to your account's max-win limit.

The NFL props to know

The lines available change by game, but most NFL boards include:

• Passing yards and passing touchdowns for quarterbacks.
• Rushing yards and rushing attempts for running backs and mobile quarterbacks.
• Receiving yards and receptions for wide receivers, tight ends and pass-catching backs.
• Touchdowns, which are high variance because one red-zone play can decide them.
• Fantasy score lines that add several stats together.

Don't like the number? Alt lines let you pick a higher or lower line on the same player, with the multiplier adjusted.

What to check before you pick

1. Injury reports and practice status through the week, and inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff.
2. Game script. A team expected to lead usually runs more late, while a team expected to trail throws more.
3. Weather. Strong wind and heavy rain tend to cut passing yards more than rushing.
4. Target and snap share. Recent usage is often a better guide than season averages.
5. Matchups. Some defenses are much weaker against the run or the pass.

If a player is ruled out and doesn't play, the pick is voided rather than counted as a loss. See what happens if a player doesn't play.

More ways to play football on Payday

• Survivor: an elimination contest where you pick player props each round and the last entry standing wins.
• College football props on Saturdays.
• The Payday Marketplace, where you can copy, fade or remix other players' entries.

Check the Promos tab for current offers for eligible players, such as Protected Play and Payout Boosts. Terms apply.

Fantasy football pick'em FAQ

Is fantasy football pick'em the same as sports betting?

No. Pick'em on Payday is a fantasy contest based on individual player performance, which is why it's offered as a skill contest in eligible states.

How many picks do I need?

At least 2 and up to 10 per entry.

Where can I play?

Payday Fantasy is available to players who meet the age requirement and are physically located in an eligible state.

More on building entries: how Picks works and the Payday glossary. Play responsibly.