The ESPN League Settings (2004)

Rule 1 - The League
Before the draft each owner will equally contribute into a league fund managed by the treasurer. An owner may not pick up free agents until his dues are paid. The remaining funds will be used to purchase a trophy plaque and lunch for the champion.

Rule 2 - The Draft
The draft is 15 rounds. The selection order is determined by a random draw for every odd round and that order is reversed for the following even numbered round. Each owner shall select the following players; two quarterbacks, three running backs, three wide receivers, two tight ends, two kickers, two team defenses/special teams, and one more player of any position. Each position, as well as the starters and backups may be drafted in any order.

Rule 3 - The Starting Lineup
The starting lineup will consist of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one kicker, and one defense/special team. No other offensive schemes are allowed. Each owner shall submit a starting lineup prior to the start of the first NFL game of the week. If a starting lineup is not submitted by the deadline, it shall be assumed to be the same as the previous week's lineup. If the league is using an online league management service, the lineup locked in is the lineup started. The following rule no longer applies: [For each position that does not have a starter because of bye-weeks, retirement, suspensions, etc., the team will receive minus 5 points for that position in that week’s game. No penalty will be assessed for injuries or “resting” of a player. Penalties cannot cause a team’s score fall below zero.]

Rule 4 - Trades
If two or more owners wish to trade players they may do so. A trade becomes official when all parties involved have contacted the commissioner and verified the terms of the deal. All trading terms must be finalized by the last Friday in October. Owners must wait for at least two weeks before trading a player back to the team from which he was received.

Rule 5 - Free Agents and Waivers
If a player is not on a fantasy team, he is considered to be a free agent and available on waivers. The team with the worst record has first rights (with a reasonable time limit, one per turn) and so on, on available free agents (with points scored, and then points allowed as the tie breaker to determine worst team, if necessary). After Noon each Sunday, no free agents may be acquired until the following week, and then in accordance with the free agent draft schedule. If there is not an open space on the roster for the free agent, a player must be released. Players that are released may not be acquired until the start of the following week (according to the free agent draft schedule). Unlike trades, waiver moves are allowed the entire season, including the playoffs. A free agent may not be cut the same week he is signed (traded players are not free agents).

Rule 6 - The Schedule & Playoffs
The schedule and division alignments shall be prepared after a random draw to determine divisions. With a 12 team league, each team shall play a 13 week regular season, with the next 3 weeks of the NFL regular season reserved for a single-elimination playoff tournament for the 6 teams that qualify for the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the third division champion will host the second place wildcard team and the fourth place division champion will host the 1st place wildcard team. The two division champions with the best records receive a bye. In the second round of the playoffs, the first place division champion hosts the lowest seeded remaining team and the second place division champion hosts the other remaining team. Teams that host playoff games receive three points for home-field advantage. The winners of the second round games will play for the trophy in the Danger Bowl Championship Game at a neutral site. There are consolation games so that every team will play 17 games.

The 6 teams that do not qualify for the playoffs described above are in the loser’s playoff. This is a mirror image of what is above, meaning the same but reversed. The biggest losers get the first-round byes and the losers of each game move on to the loser championship game. The home team has the home field disadvantage (minus 3 points) because the fans hate you and your team. The loser of that game is the champion of losers and Buster of the Year.

Rule 7 - Scoring
Points are awarded for the starters by using the Scoring Worksheet or the online league management service if one is used. The statisticians shall score games using the game summaries in the Austin American-Statesman. It is up to team owners to verify these scores. Any scoring disputes will be decided by Wednesday of that week using the summaries in NFL.COM. Players are eligible to receive points when they line up at other positions or if they score another way (while on offense, not including special teams/defense). Rushing touchdowns are worth six points each, receiving – five points, and passing – 4 points. Bonus points for yardage are scored by using yards rushing, receiving, and passing for each player. Players can also score by converting PAT’s and field goals. If a starter is injured or otherwise takes the bench early in a game, that owner's backup is not allowed to come in and score points for his team. If using a league management service, their scoring is final.

Players must be drafted for the position that they actually play in the NFL. After being drafted they are locked into that position all season unless a majority of owners agree that he has actually changed positions in the NFL. An owner cannot have a running back play as a receiver on his team just because he might get more yards and touchdowns than his receivers.

The defense/special teams "player" unlike the field players is an entire NFL team. It scores whenever a player on that NFL team returns a kickoff, punt, interception, opponent's fumble, blocked punt or field goal for a touchdown. It is not a special teams play until the ball is kicked. The defense/special teams player can also score on points allowed, yardage, interceptions, fumbles, sacks and safeties. Points can also be subtracted so it is possible to finish with a negative score. If the defense/special team’s NFL team wins, it is worth three points. In each game the home team is automatically awarded three points for home-field advantage (or deducted for home-field disadvantage). This continues through the playoffs except for the championship games.

The following rule no longer applies: [Owners will choose the winners of three NFL games each week (that are selected by the league in advance). One point is awarded for each correct pick with the sum being added to the team’s total score. If an owner fails to submit his picks by the deadline then his score is zero.]

Rule 8 - Tie Breakers
The following is the tiebreaking scheme should two or more teams have identical records at the end of the WMDFFL's regular season. Tied games count as half a win and half a loss (7-5-2 is the same as 8-6-0). Ties inside divisions are broken first (with the winner of that tiebreaker advancing to the next tie, if applicable).
      1. Head-to-Head (best won-loss percentage)
      2. Winning percentage verses division (if teams in same division).
      3. Most points scored.
      4. Winning percentage versus playoff teams.
      5. Team with most current consecutive wins.
      6. Coin Toss.

Rule 9 - Playoff Tie Breakers
If a playoff game ends in a tie, the overtime units are compared. The first overtime unit is the three highest scoring backups of each team (no more than one at each position). If still tied, the second overtime unit is the next three highest scoring positions. The next tiebreaker is total offensive yardage for the starters, and then total combined distance of all their touchdowns. If the tie still stands, the home team advances. If it is the championship game, crown co-champs. Add one point to the team that wins tie breaker.

Rule 10 - Rule Changes & Disputes
Rules may be revised or added before the start of the season by the rule committee. Rules may only be changed during the season by a 2/3’s or greater majority of owners. The commissioners will settle disputes between owners unless a majority of owners agree that the owners should vote on it or that an impartial person is needed to rule. Collusion between owners relating to the draft or free agents may hurt the integrity of the league and is not allowed. Remember that this is a game and the object of the game is to have fun by following NFL football.

Rule 11 - All-Pro's and the Pro Bowl
Statistics will be collected for each player by position and an all-pro team selected. A variety of awards will be given out at the Award's Banquet. Everyone gets an award!

Rule 12 - The WMDFFL Champion
The WMDFFL Champion will be awarded the trophy and lunch at the Awards Banquet (purchased with remaining league funds). The name of the champion, the team name, and the year will be placed on the trophy that will be passed to the new champion next year.