American Football

Football 101

The goal: move the ball down the field and score. The offense advances; the defense tries to stop or take the ball away.

Downs & Yardage

You get 4 downs (tries) to gain 10 yards.
Gain 10 yards = a fresh set of downs.
Don’t like your chances on 4th down? Teams often punt or attempt a field goal.

Scoring Basics

Touchdown: 6 points
Extra Point (kick): 1 point • Two-Point Try: 2 points
Field Goal: 3 points • Safety: 2 points

The Field

100 yards long + two 10-yard end zones (width: ~53⅓ yards).
Lines every 5 yards; chains measure 10 yards for first downs.

Key Positions

Offense: QB, RB, WR, TE, Offensive Line
Defense: Defensive Line, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, Safeties
Special Teams: Kicker, Punter, Returners, Long Snapper

How the NFL Season Works

The NFL season flows from preseason tune-ups to the playoffs, culminating in the Super Bowl.

Preseason — Exhibition games to evaluate rosters (results don’t count).
Regular Season — 18 weeks; each team plays 17 games with one bye week.
Playoffs — Top qualifiers from each conference play a single-elimination bracket.
Conference Championships — AFC vs NFC finalists advance to the Super Bowl.

What Is the Super Bowl?

Full guide →

The Super Bowl is the NFL's championship game—a showdown between the winners of the AFC and NFC conferences. It's one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, blending elite football, star-studded halftime shows, and iconic commercials.

Key Facts

When: Held annually on the first Sunday in February (known as "Super Bowl Sunday").
Where: Rotates among major NFL stadiums across the country, selected years in advance.
The Prize: The winning team hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the legendary Green Bay Packers coach.
Roman Numerals: Each game is numbered (e.g., Super Bowl LVIII = 58), a tradition that started with Super Bowl V.

Did you know? The halftime show has featured artists like Beyoncé, Prince, and The Weeknd—and ads can cost over $7 million for 30 seconds of airtime.

Why It Matters

Beyond the game itself, the Super Bowl is a cultural phenomenon. It's a day for watch parties, friendly wagers, elaborate spreads of food, and shared moments—even for people who don't follow football all season. For newcomers, it's the perfect gateway into understanding the sport.

Learn more about the Super Bowl