What is fantasy football?

Fantasy football is a game that revolves around real-world statistics and performance of National Football League (NFL) players. Participants draft a roster of players from the league, and their teams score points based on how well these players perform in actual NFL games. This connection to actual player statistics is what makes fantasy football distinct from other types of games or simulations.

In fantasy football, players must strategize not only during the drafting process but also throughout the season as they manage their teams by making decisions such as starting or benching players based on their performance, health, and matchups. This element of statistical analysis and its tie to live sports creates an engaging experience for fans and adds a competitive dimension that goes beyond just following the games.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of fantasy football. For example, while it involves strategy, it is not merely a game or board game format, nor is it a real-time video game competition or a general simulation of sports management. The critical factor that sets fantasy football apart is its foundation in actual player performance and statistics.